I have a slight power steering leak on my Citroen C8. The citroen dealer want £2K to repair it. Any car mechanics out there?

I was wondering if anyone knows of any oil supplements that may stop the leak? I don't intend keeping it for much longer - but i also don't want to keep topping up the fluid whilst i am looking around for anther car.

Warning everyone ... do not buy a used Citroen from this guy! Ha, ha.

What have you got there, John, just a joint (union etc.) that needs tightening? I'd be happy to lend you my spanners, Mate (but it's probably a seal, I suspect). Meanwhile, you can buy a lot of hydraulic fluid for £ 2 k you know!

Yes Geoff, I was not thinking about letting citroen do the repair. I intend to use it as a trade in. I would not sell it on... too many miles on the clock. (116000)

It may be a seal - but my knowledge of cars is limited to pumping up the tyres and putting the fuel in.

Any recommendations on a comfortable family car?

It could possibly be the power steering pump with its seal worn out as Geoff suggested. Usually these assemblies are not repairable and one has to change the pump. How about checking with the scrap yard and harvesting one from a similar engine? I would imagine 3 to 4 hrs work of dismantling the old one and putting the serviceable one in. Did you check the hoses attached to the pump for possible leak source?

I’m more of a van man myself. A couple of weeks back I was called upon to make a rendezvous in darkest London (nothing too exciting, I hasten to add [unfortunately]). It meant taking a 2 litre diesel Jaguar estate from good old Gloucester (the erstwhile home of "England’s Glory"), and swapping with a loaded high-mileage Vauxhall Movano at the other end. Then a quick run up to Harlow (a place close to your affections, I believe, John), and then back on the M25, M40 and home.

All I can say is that there was no doubt in mind which leg of the journey was the more pleasant and most comfortable. Perhaps it was just the commanding driving position!

I think the Ford S Max is pretty good as well as the Renault Grand Scenic. I have the trusty Espace but is a bit of a gas guzzler.

John
I agree with JohnBhoy in that you can't go much wrong with a Ford S-Max & the Renault Scenic. Both are reliable and well put together.
With regard to your hydraulic leak, you need to determine exactly where it is coming from. as falconeye suggests. If it is the pump and you don't want to replace it but just stop the leak when part excahnging it, an old fashioned trick is to put some sawdust into the pump (if you can get at it), not too much to clog it up but enough to mix with the fluid and "bung up" the seal.
Geoff,
Do I take it that you enjoyed the Vauxhall Movano over the Jaguar estate??!!! You sad person!!!! Firstly, the Jaguar is a lot more comfortable than most cars on the road, let alone vans. Secondly, how can you like a Vauxhall??? They are the cesspit of the motoring world.

John

Might I suggest, "Wynns - Power steering stop leak" its about £6 a tin and it worked a treat on a slight leak I had, just right for passing on to the dealer!

Regards
Matt.

Thanks Matt,

£6 sounds a worthwhile investment. I had a test drive in a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso on Saturday. Nice car, but will not seat 3 adult size teenagers in the back (comfortably). I think I may go for another 6 seater C8 - although I am still open to sugestions for a large family car that will seat 5 adults comfortably. I am test driving a Diesel Peugeout 607 this week.

Jag would be nice, but out of my budget and too Thirsty.

Don't think i will try the sawdust Kawa, but thanks for the suggestion. I haven't had a Ford since 1983. (Cortina Mk4)

I will have a look at the S-max and the Scenic.

Yes, Kawasaki, that's exactly what I'm saying! And what's wrong with Vauxhalls? The roads in the UK are infested with them (lots of sad people about, you know)!

Sounds like you need a "people carrier", John (...there's another example of Baboon Speak ... show me a motor vehicle that doesn't carry people). But you will need to know how to spell "Peugeot", Mate!

And lastly, my brother can supply all the sawdust you ever dreamed of from his sawmill up in the woods above Gloucester. All grades available.