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Mondeo Mk4 Whining Steering Pump = Steering Failure!

208K views 565 replies 147 participants last post by  ScorpiO 696 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
EXPERIENCING ISSUES? ADD YOUR NAME TO OUR PETITION:
http://www.talkford.com/topic/205279-have-you-had-steering-pump-failure-on-your-mk4-ford-mondeo-petition-log-your-details-here/

My steering pump has started whining intermittently.Mondeo 08 plate TDCi 140 zetec 42k on the clock. It comes and goes but is the loudest noise in the cockpit when its whining. Usually accelerating on a roundabout with partial lock sets it off whining and the noise increases as I turn the wheel.

Theres plenty of fluid in the reservoir.

I also had this problem on my mk 3 - it too started about 40k and eventually got so noisy as to be embarrassing. I asked for it to be fixed under warranty last time but they kept putting me off with different fixes till it got to 60k then said it was out of warranty. Wont let em off so light next time!

Anyoune else got a noisy steering pump?
 
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#2 ·
Are you sure the belt is tight on it?
 
#3 ·
I have had my 25000 mile 08 mondeo in the dealers three times trying to resolve an intermitant steering whining noise. I was aware that the pump had been replaced at about 15k by the previous owner and so was a little concerned when the dealer suggested it maybe the pump again.

Anyway I found the following article http://www.justanswer.com/questions/2iozp-i-have-a-mondeo-estate-57-reg-it-has-had-a-new-steering-rack which suggests that a blocked reservoir filter could be the issue.

After speaking to the dealer about this they finally changed the reservoir and flushed the system. I'm glad to say that this resolved the problem completely.
 
#4 ·
That sounds like a quality control problem if the fluid reservoir is blocked, how otherwise would it become blocked?
 
#7 ·
Hi..

I had similar symptoms around similar mileage to you.

I had a new power steering pump fitted & problem went away.

As a by-the-way, a few months later I started getting a knocking from the steering & subsequently had the rack replaced too.
 
#8 ·
The new reservoir is fitted and the system has been flushed. The jury is out it is certainly far better and quieter than it was, it was getting embarrassingly loud and harsh as though damage was being caused. Now its a much less intrusive, almost pleasant whine whenever the wheels are at anything except straight ahead that rises and falls with the engine revs. I will monitor it for a few weeks before I say "fixed".
 
#11 · (Edited by Moderator)
I also have the whining problem. I took my 2009 2.0 petrol mondeo to the dealer today and i was told that there was fluid coming out of the steering rack (?!). Since it is still under warranty it will be replaced, but i have to wait 15 days for the part to arrive :( is it possible for fluid to come out of the rack or is it reservoir? will this mean a big disassembly of the front of the car? i am afraid this is just beginning of front end problems...
i have to say i am quite disappointed in the new mondeo. I previously had mk2, no serious problems (until i crushed it). i bought mk4 in june 2009, had cylinder position sensor changed at 50 km (yes 50 km) and now at 8,000 km they need to replace steering rack...
what a disappointment in ford (eventhough 3rd for me)
i don't think i'll buy ford ever again...
 
#13 ·
I cant believe someone else is also disappointed in the MK4 Mondeo, I thought I was the only one! :shocked:

I cant be mad then!!! :}
 
#15 ·
Hi just joined to double check the diagnosis on my 2.0TDCi and spotted this topic.

I've had my 25,000m MK4 in the dealers this morning to investigate a whinning/whirring noise thats definatly related to engine speed and not road speed. It usually takes 15-20mins of driving to start to get prominant but then it just pretty annoying.

so left it with the dealer this morning, got a call this afternoon to say they'd done a couple of 3-4 mile test drives and couldn't hear the problem and that I should come and pick it up. Wasn't happy with this so when I arrived I took the mechanic out for about a 5mile run and still the noise didn't make itself known so dropped him off and promised to return which I did 20mins later when I'd done a few more miles myself and the noise was now obvious. Anyway I had been thinking it was a belt tension or turbo issue but when I arrived back the mechanic asked me to turn the steering to full lock and give it a few revs while he checked under the bonnet. He unscrewed the PAS resevioir and within 30secs diagnosed that I'd need a new rack and steering resevoir.

He told me its something to do with some mondeo racks having been make in Valencia from the "wrong" material with diagnosis besides the noise being by looking in the resevoir for signs of foaming.

Anyway mine will be booked in as soon as the parts arrive and its under warrenty and just wanted to make my first post a contribution rather than a request for info :)
 
#16 ·
Mine's booked in next week for power steering fluid resevoir to be changed and system flushed. Steering didn't feel quite right, so as it was in for stereo speaker invesigation, I decided to get them to look at the steering as well.
 
#20 ·
I've just sent mine in 57't km (08 Tit X, 2L TDCI). The noise is ......... when turning its at it worst, although it does it on straights too. As it just under warranty took it to ford, something to do with the power steering, they have ordered a part and told me i can carry on driving...well, lost it turning into a car park, and only just managed to brake in time before nearly hitting another car.
 
#92 ·
Yes, just ask them why they have had to carry out this work. If its debris in the fluid, where has it come from and what is it? If external debris has entered the system how has this occurred?

It's obviously serious enough to change the reservoir so hope its not just a simple put on.
 
#21 · (Edited by Moderator)
I had to have a new pump on mine a month ago as well . There was a warning sign. For about 10 days prior to it failing when I would first start the car in the morning, there would be a 'bonk' from under the bonnet when I turned the wheel for the first time that day, after that it was fine. Final stages were that it developed a horrible whine. It seems to be a weak point on the car although it had done 65k.
 
#22 ·
I've been told today that my car needs a replacement steering rack.

I've had the whining noise for the past 5 weeks.
Gradual at first - enough for it to be missed at 37000mile service.
Was told by the (Ford) garage that they've: "checked it and nothing is falling off - so you're alright"


I wasn't happy and booked it in today.
The foreman came out with me for a drive and whilst stationary he got me to hold the revs and turn the steering wheel.
The whining was there with the revs and changed pitch when the wheel was turned.

I think its being sorted under warranty.
Judging from the posts on here its a common problem and part of the Ford experience!
 
#25 ·
{THIS REPLY IS ALSO IN THE DIESEL ENGINE FORUM} [original post started there put problem manifested itself in the steering rack]

Got car back yesterday after fitting of replacement steering rack. No more whining.

Garage had car for 9 working days. All done under warranty. (was it just the rack?...)

Main revelation is that the FUEL EFFICIENCY has improved massively ~20%!!!
Driving as I did (conservatively in the cold weather) I would have expected 46-47mpg.
I reset the computer just after leaving the garage and got 56.5mpg for the 20mile trip!


I must admit it was slow driving following ice-cautious traffic on B-roads then a 70mph stint for 2miles of dual carriageway.

Before it went in for the repair I was getting as low as 35.5mpg on my 17mile commute - I put this down to running the engine for a 5-10 minutes to de-frost the windows..
Normally I'd feel fortunate to achieve 45mpg, although, did hit the heady heights of 47 once!
The acid test will be when I drive to work on Monday. Not driving today - Christmas party!


Sobering thought: if the steering has been sapping energy from the engine and I could have driven 20% further on the fuel purchased...
...over 38000miles: 10 - 11 tanks wasted...
 
#26 ·
My Mondeo has been superb and 100% reliable since i've oned it. Its done just under 25k in the last 3 years and 13 days.

Today with no previous odd noises or signs, i started the car up and instantly the steering pump started making a god awful racket and the steering has gone as lumpy as hell. The resevoir is full of foam so its obviously drawing air in somewhere.

Has anyone got any idea of expected repair costs and any idea if Ford will contribute anything given its literaly just out of its warranty period?

£400 vet bill last week and now this ....... Merry Christmas!
 
#27 ·
Sounds like from previous experience that it could be a leak?? I had a leak on a previous car and it used to froth up when the fluid was low and the pump made a horrid noise as theres no lubrication for the pump, maybe try topping up then taking it to a dealer for a lookover?
 
#28 · (Edited by Moderator)
Nothing to top up, the reservoir is up to the fill line when the foam has settled and dispersed. Drove 2 miles to a local country park and it was silent. 2 hours later I started the car to come home and it made a horrendous whining noise as soon as I revved it.

Utter disbelief that a car can have a power steering failure when its done less than 25k miles, most of which are motorway miles. My works van has done just over 110k in the last 4 1/2 years and has only had brake pads and 1 set of discs replaced in that time.
 
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