2001 Volkswagen Jetta Power Steering

2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
180,000 MILES • 2.8L • VR6 • FWD • MANUAL
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HJHAMM
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  • 2 POSTS
The car had a catastrophic power steering pump failure (pump tore itself apart left fine metal fragments inside what was left of the pump) installed new power steering pump. Now after the power steering fluid comes up to operating temp there is very little to no power assist while the engine is at idle, if the fluid is cold as when you first start the car the power steering works as it should. This is what I suspect, is that metal particles have gotten stuck in the vanes of the new power steering pump and as the fluid heats up the metal expands and the vanes and the pressure regulator are getting stuck so the system does not have enough pressure at idle rpm's (about 700-800 rpm's approx) to assist in the steering and I may need to replace the pump again to fix this. I have flushed the systems many times now. What do you think?

Thanks
May 4, 2014 at 9:15 PM
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WRENCHTECH
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  • 20,761 POSTS
You may have a restriction in the system that would have been the cause of the original failure the first pump. Someone needs to do some pressure testing to determine exactly what is going on in the system and stop guessing. Do not drive it this way or ou will do even more damage.
May 5, 2014 at 2:33 AM
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HJHAMM
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The first pump failed because of age and high miles, The bearings in the pump failed. If this is a restriction, why does the power steering function when the power steering system is cold and then you loose power steering at idle after it comes up to operating temp. Remember this only effects the power steering when at idle. I do understand about the restriction but there is the variable of the system changing with fluid temperature [ie. Loosing power steering at idle only after the fluid comes to operating temp]
May 6, 2014 at 6:48 AM
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