My Car Doesn't Love Me!

[Tracyhf1]

Hi

I am new here.

I found this site via a google search on the latest problem that my car has! I always seem to be googling one fault or another!

 

Anyway... Last monday I had to drive through deepish water, prob halfway up the tryes due to flash rainfall. it was only for a few seconds, but when i got to the next junction the steering failed! i ended up going up the kerb on the opposite side of the road. managed to get the car home and it was fine the next day. I just thought i might have got water in something important and it was now ok. Not so. We have had rain since then and now everytime there is standing water on the road, even little puddles or spray, the steering fails. It is like I turn the wheel 45 degrees and then hit a barrier. Well we were supposed to be going on holiday today at 6pm, so it looks like it is off as I have refused point blank to put my children in it until it is sorted!

I saw in another thread that it could be something to do with a shield under the car that is missing (prob took off in the deep water last week) which means the water hits the power steering pulleys and causes steering failure! heaven knows where to get one from, how long it will take etc. the kids are upset now because they thought they were going away later today! :angry2:

[searcher]

Have a look under the car to see if there is an under tray fitted. If not then thats you problem. They do come up from time to time on ebay but ive heard of mixed reports about the quality of them.

[insider]

First, does your car have an under tray fitted (deep water won't have removed it - they don't come off that easily!)

If not, then you will need to get a replacement otherwise you're always at risk of this happening.

 

If it does have an undertray then it's likely the deep water soaked the belt and pulley and caused it to slip. This should have dried out and started working again but wouldn't explain why it's failing again. Perhaps there is still residual water in the undertray itself? Or maybe the belt is now worn and needs to be replaced or just re-tensioned? This should give you some more info (if it's not the one you've already looked at) - http://www.fordgalaxy.org.uk/ford/index.ph...st&p=132978.

[veedyf]

does the steering judder when you turn it full lock ??

 

 

mine was doing exactly the same ...

loosen the 2 bolts either side .....tension it up ...

imo if it doesent judder after tensioning ..its fine

 

otehr than that the pump could be slipping itself ....how many miles has your car done....

undertrays are over-rated ....imo keeps too much hot air in the engine bay

[Tracyhf1]

Er.. well hubby looked just before he took it away. He just knelt down and said "its right there, quite low" and he was talking about the power steering pump thingy. He said there was no cover or shield there to protect it.

 

The only way i can describe the fault is that after I have been through puddles or spray the steering then seems to only have a small 45 degree turn which is easy, after this it is like hitting a bar of steel. This morning I came up to an island where I wanted to turn right. It wasn't a mini roundabout or a massive island, just a normal sized one. As I approached I thought, I should go really slow just incase the steering plays up again. I drove onto the island (thankfully desserted) and as i got to the point to lock it over right it just moved 45 degrees and stopped! So instead of going like 3 o clock, you end up going 1 o clock! If you are going nice and slow you can just really force it over and it kind of just inched round enough to make the turn, but very very stiff!

The first time it caught me out though, and I ended up over the pavement! If you pullover and leave the car for half hour it drives off fine again, full and happy light steering, go through a couple of puddles though and it fails again! :angry2:

[Tracyhf1]

oh sorry, the car has done almost 100k. It is a V reg.

[veedyf]

sounds like just the belt needs tightening with 100k miles

[Tracyhf1]

Oh right, you think the water just makes it seem worse then? The tray shield thing isn't essential to the steering working? That would help a lot if we could just tighten it until we can get another tray. the kids are wailing on about not going on holiday at the moment! lol

[searcher]

Theres a good chance the belt may need tightening or replacing but the under tray is there for a reason. I heard lots of stories about water and power steering failure. The belt and pulleys are very exposed when the tray is removed. You even says its ok until you hit water.

Just take lots of care until you can get one sorted but get the belt checked in the meantime.

[Tracyhf1]

Thanks for all the advice. It is in the garage now so hopefully they will be able to do something, we will get a new undertray through. Things like steering and brakes scare me, which is why I am staying defiant until it is sorted. :angry2:

It has only just recently been in for big repairs, then there was the time before when some "arms" or something broke... plus we have a problem with the air flow meter...? Basically we hit a hit and it is hello 20mph, with cars beeping us! Hubby has removed it completely and it is quicker now, but seems thirsty but it is a temp fix until we get a new one.

Edited August 13, 2008 by Tracyhf1

[Tracyhf1]

Ok the garage have got back in touch and said that the belts are already tight, and that a new cover will be 3 days!!! we were only going for 12 days anyway, i am gutted!

[veedyf]

my belt was tight but obviosly had some to go as it fixed the problem

[jkspoff]

Don't forget if your dealer can't get the parts then VW may have them in stock, I have in the past gone and got the parts from VW and delivered them to my Ford dealer to fit ! VW dealers usually keep most items stocked.

[seatkid]

IF YOU HAVE A DIESEL Mk1 or Mk2 Galaxy IT IS ESSENTIAL TO HAVE AN UNDERTRAY FITTED. Also the front towing eye has a cover which should be there. Without these water can easily get onto the power steering belt/pulley causing momentary loss of power assistance, which anyone who experiences it will tell you is scary.

 

It is a known safety issue. The tray is fitted as standard from the factory. If it is missing then someone who serviced it, did not replace it, which is dangerous and negligent. You may want to consider this if you have been involved in an accident as a result.

 

Sorry for the caps but I think it warrants it.

Edited August 13, 2008 by seatkid

[Tracyhf1]

Thank you. I really appreciate that. I will show this thread to hubby. it was a shocker when it happened the first time. As you can see we are still here, Holiday postponed for a while. :angry2:

[mumof4]

this all happened recently to me. You must as has been advised, get an undertray.

 

I replaced the belt after skidding all over the place , but it still goes in wet weather which i discovered the other day.Im going to get an undertray as i dont have one.

 

As long as the weather is dry, then you will be ok. but in wet, you wont.avoid puddles.

[insider]

Thanks for all the advice. It is in the garage now so hopefully they will be able to do something, we will get a new undertray through. Things like steering and brakes scare me, which is why I am staying defiant until it is sorted. :angry2:

It has only just recently been in for big repairs, then there was the time before when some "arms" or something broke... plus we have a problem with the air flow meter...? Basically we hit a hit and it is hello 20mph, with cars beeping us! Hubby has removed it completely and it is quicker now, but seems thirsty but it is a temp fix until we get a new one.

Where did you take it for the "big repairs"? Is it possible that they removed the undertray and didn't replace it?

[Tracyhf1]

I actually think i remember it coming off, I had to go through big puddle and i heard something clunk and didn't stop.

Trying to get one from a scrap yard, but people keep messing us about. saying they have one, quoting us and then when we say we will have it not getting back in touch!

 

Does anyone know if the fit is universal? Ours is a v reg 1.9tdi, but we have seen some petrol models and a tray advertised from a newer galaxy...?

[mumof4]

No, they arent universal im afraid.

 

If you ever hear something clunk... always best to get out and have a quick gander.. Last time i heard a clunk when driving my vectra, a piece of wood had wedged itself in the engine bay after coming up from the road.

[seatkid]

The undertray on a diesel Galaxy is a large sturdy 3d affair. It won't drop off with just a clunk. "If" it did drop off (highly unlikely as its bolted to the chassis) - then there is insufficient clearance to let it go under without a big fight and a lot of drama. It would also cause considerable and probably expensive damage to the underside.

 

They are usually not replaced during service, either because they are lazy, sloppy, incompetent or nicking it to sell on ebay - probably independants rather than main dealer.

 

You should also check to see if they jacked up your car on the sills, bending/crushing/tearing them and causing expensive MOT failure in the future.

[tdi90]

I put a second-hand under tray from a mk2 TDI on my mk1 TDI, and it fits fine. I got a new full fittings kit from fords for

[mumof4]

and heavy!!

 

or was that just mine after an oil leak??

[stevie m]

I have an aftermarket undertray that i bought from ebay. It's poor quality. I bought it before i sold the gal. I never got round to fitting it on mine. I kept the the old broken one so i could swap the soundproofing over. Yep your right Maz they are heavy when they have a bit of oil on them. Makes a nice anament to step over in my garage :unsure: .