Weird problem I cant figure out

[Niks]

Hi guys, theres some sort of a weird problem going on in my car which I dont know anything about. Im hoping some of you may know what the causes could be...

The problem has been happening for the last month. When I drive the car from cold, it feels solid and everything feels perfect. Steering feels great, power steering works well and the car really goes. After about 30 mins worth of driving or when the engine starts warming up (engine fan kicks in), things start going weird...

The car suddenly feels heavy, the steering feels not as light as if i have a house on the roof!

At first I thought it was because I changed the suspension setup, but its not that. Im using the same MB EVO alloys as I did before I upgraded the suspension and it was fine back then, never had this problem as the steering always felt light even after a straight 8 hour drive. I though it was the wheels so I changed the wheels to the EVO 17x7.5J all round, then the standard 8 Hole alloys...still doing the same problem.

Finally I though it could be the power steering fluid, but the cars been in for a full service last week so that has been changed. The brake discs, brake pads, brake fluid has all been changed.

Im really confused and fustrated as to what it could be thats causing this, any ideas?

 

[d w124]

Sorry to hear about it mate.

 

[Adam230K]

You got any fault codes?

 

[grober]

Have you changed the steering damper (little shock absorber) on the steering mechanism or the idler arm bushing item 14 Êàòàëîã
the other thing to check is if you are getting air entrained into the power steering fluid. Check its appearance in the pump reservoir when cold and again when the problem occurs

 

[lynall]

Cant see it being air in the oil as that would have self bled out ages ago.

Does the engine fan always come on and has it always come on.




Lynall

 

[Niks]

Yea the engine fan always comes on, it stays on and makes the engine sound louder which gets annoying sometimes. Before it kicks in, it sounds great like a smooth straight 6 but after the fan kicks in, it sounds loud and roary.

Grober, I dont know what im looking for on that one but I know the steering damper hasnt been changed. I think I might need someone to have a look at it.

Adam, No I havent had any fault codes read, sometimes I'd need to do.

 

[kth286]

It might well be going into limp home mode.

Whilst driving and it happens again try driving to 5000 revs.

If in limp mode, engine will stutter and refuse to go any higher before it reaches 5000.

The codes then need to be read.

 

[Niks]

I'll try that next time, thanks.

 

[Donbronski]

Is it only happening when the fan cuts in?

Could it be possible that the fan is running a little tight on the baring & adding strain to the engine when engaged... kind of like an A/C pump would do when active.

Long shot & most unlikly but worth a little look.

 

[LimitedSlip]

Another thing to check (though I'm not familiar with the layout of your engine) is to make sure the power steering belt is not slipping just slightly (if it's not toothed). This usually makes a noise if the belt slips due to looseness, but not if there is fluid from a nearby source getting onto the pulleys or belts. It doesn't take much.

I have known this problem to happen several times from even a slight water or oil leak nearby.

 

[LTD]

When exactly did the problem appear ?

There seems to have been a lot happening to the car recently and identifying the timeline of the problem should help identify the possible cause of the problem.

Of course, the Law of Sod will suggest it'll be something totally different.

 

[Ian B Walker]

W124? check the steering ball joints. They may be dry and in need of changing.

 

[lynall]

Engine warms up then fan cuts in which in our std weather it shouldnt get hot enough for it to come on and stay on unless you have some engine problem, plus then steering gets tight when engine hot as the fan is running so belt having to work pretty hard.

Maybe worth a look at the drive belts and the tensioner set up, plus water pump bearings etc.

Is the crank pulley running straight and true?

What temp is it running at after a few miles.



Lynall