Drive VP with no power steering fluid?

[BradZ]

My VP is currently stuck on the side of the road with a busted power steering hose, and now, a busted reservoir that broke when trying to remove the pipe (apparently, it was someone else trying to help who broke it).

Question, anyone know if I'll stuff it by driving it this way, I'd prefer to get it the 50km back home to work on it, but will get a mobile mechanic tomorrow morning if necessary.

[Morton]

Meh, just drive it. You'll suffer from a bit of hydraulic lock, which will make it hard to steer (harder than a manual steering rack), but I've done it before. It's not a problem if you only intend to do it once. I drove from Box Hill to Belgrave and back with no fluid ^^

[J_D]

You will stuff the pump as it will be spinning with no fluid in it. You might not stuff up the steering rack as it should retain some fluid to help lubricate it and the rack parts dont move very fast.

[Morton]

Just a 50km drive will be fine, though Even if you drain the pump, it will still remain lubricated for a while. The way commodores are, you're more likely to break something when you do everything right ^^ haha

[jas98]

umm realisticly i wouldnt drive it as the pump will seize and then ur up for more $$ .....as if the pump does seize then the belt would more then likely shred etc...

not worth the risk in my opinion

BUT its up ta u

[Morton]

I wouldn't go as far as saying that the pump -will- seize. You don't know that. I've driven mine twice without fluid, and two of my mates have done the same. Our pumps havn't seized, so you can't say it -will-. As with anything, it's possible to do damage - but you have to weigh that against getting your car home, and not forking out an extra $200 for a mechanic to come to you. If you ask me - talking from experience - it's worth the risk.

Like driving home with a spun water pump bearing spewing coolant. It's possible the belt will jump off, it's possible you'll damage your alternator or water pump, and it's possible you'll overheat the engine. But none of that happened.

[Pub247]

i dont think you'd ruin the pump and anyways you get them cheap from wrecker if it does seize. Driving without powersteering can be a pain when your going slow and trying to turn but with some speed it a bit easier also helps build some arm muscles

[azzfox]

had to drive from melbourne airport to nearest servo after finding all the fluid drained out while we were away. was making some very nasty noises, was hard to steer and a bit of smoke was coming out from under the bonnet. filled it up and its fine. but the servo wasnt far away.

[Morton]

Aaah, finally ^^ some informed opinions!

Let us know how it goes, bradz

[cruzn]

I have also done it for about 25km. Didn't damage anything however the powersteering system was howling everytime i turned the wheel. In your case i would just drive it home or repair the car on the spot. It's not that hard to remove the powersteering pump and replace the resevior + hose.

[BradZ]

Heh, well I'm gonna give it a go later, as I have a lift back to the car tonight, saving me over a hundred backs in taxi's tomorrow... I'm not taking it lightly, but figure if I end up stuffing the pump as well, it won't _really_ cost much more than the taxi fare to have to replace it.

I'll report back on how it went when I get home... I have the feeling I drove it from Wyong to Berowra before realising it was out of fluid, was wondering why it felt heavy on the road until I saw the empty reservoir :-)

[jas98]

I wouldn't go as far as saying that the pump -will- seize. You don't know that. I've driven mine twice without fluid, and two of my mates have done the same. Our pumps havn't seized, so you can't say it -will-. As with anything, it's possible to do damage - but you have to weigh that against getting your car home, and not forking out an extra $200 for a mechanic to come to you. If you ask me - talking from experience - it's worth the risk.

Like driving home with a spun water pump bearing spewing coolant. It's possible the belt will jump off, it's possible you'll damage your alternator or water pump, and it's possible you'll overheat the engine. But none of that happened.

yes i know i dont know that BUT 50 ks is a long way for it not to have any oil. they spin fairly quick

obiously i was wrong. fair enough, but they are desighned to have oil in them and that is what i was trying to say....hey im still learning

cheers

[NORTI]

Id risk it

But thats just me. Lol ah the things Ive managed to get my commodores to put up with

[Morton]

Heh, well I'm gonna give it a go later, as I have a lift back to the car tonight, saving me over a hundred backs in taxi's tomorrow... I'm not taking it lightly, but figure if I end up stuffing the pump as well, it won't _really_ cost much more than the taxi fare to have to replace it.

I'll report back on how it went when I get home... I have the feeling I drove it from Wyong to Berowra before realising it was out of fluid, was wondering why it felt heavy on the road until I saw the empty reservoir :-)

Hey, well good luck man. Is it a fairly easy drive to get home from where the car is? The only pain is slow corners... and 3-point turns.

[Emackulation]

Yeah, go for it mate, should be fine, just take it easy and sit under the speed limit a tad. Be sure there is no power steer fluid on exhaust parts (headers, etc) because the fuild is flamable...

[Pub247]

Yeah, go for it mate, should be fine, just take it easy and sit under the speed limit a tad. Be sure there is no power steer fluid on exhaust parts (headers, etc) because the fuild is flamable...

I remember my mate 5lt vk use to leak trans fluid onto the exhaust you'd been sitting at a set of lights with white smoke pouring out from under the car people use to giove you some funny looks