I have a 1990 Jaguar XJ6 and the power steering was working fine however now it seems to working about 50%. I'm not sure why.
I have regular power steering fluid and not mineral oil that it calls for.
Any comments with this problem is very much appreciated.
Regards, John

 

John,

I've moved your question from General Tech Help to XJ40 forum. Members here with the same model will be able to help.

Graham

 

The DEXRON ATF is fine for the PAS.

The 1988/89 system uses just that!
The later 1993/94 without SLS also uses ATF.

Whenever I delete SLS and remove the hydraulic pump from the front of the engine I also drain the HSMO and fill the system with ATF.

Have you tried 'revving' the engine when the PAS fails to assist?
If the PAS starts working again, you likely have a weak pump.

bob

 

Thanks very much for the tip, I haven't yet tried what you said but i will shortly. If it appears that the pump is weak would you suggest I get another one.

Much appreciated,
Regards, John

 

Hi John,

One question that occurs to me is whether the issue is speed-related. Is the steering stiff at parking lot speeds but acceptable at higher speeds?

What is your idle speed with the engine warm, the transmission in Drive, and your foot on the brake? Low idle can contribute to insufficient power steering assist at low speeds.

Cheers,

Don

 

do you have any issue with leaking seals after switching to ATF? My 1991 is currently filled with green stuff and has the SLS system removed. I have read on xj40.com ATF will cause the seals on my steering rack to leak. I guess mine already leaks 😲 what type of ATF do you use/ recommend? Thanks

 

There is no evidence that switching to ATF causes the PAS system to leak. ATF will probably NOT help an already leaking system.

The earlier and later XJ40 already uses ATF so I doubt putting ATF in the converted SLS system will change anything in the way of leaks.(what would cause it?)

Jaguar has always recommended DEXRON when the system requires ATF.

 

92 xj6 sovereign

The SLS was removed and converted before I purchased the car. I have a power steering leak from the back of the pump and a hose connection. I plan to rebuild the pump and replace the hoses/o-rings but I also saw the hydraulic pump on the front of the engine (also leaking). From my reading on the forum/this post, shouldn't this pump have been removed with the conversion? If so, what do I need to do to get rid of it?

Thanks

 

From my understanding and experience, the SLS pump can't be "removed" when the SLS is deactivated because the power steering and SLS pumps are one tandem pump. I thought about replacing the tandem pump with a single pump that only services the power steering unit (used on last model XJ40s) but this would require new power steering hoses. From my understanding the high pressure power steering hose is different in last model XJ40s produced without the SLS than the ones produced with the PS and SLS units in one tandem unit.

In the V12, its really important to fix any leak from the tandem pump because it leaks on the alternator.

Charles

 

Thanks - that's good to know.

I've been looking for a replacement hydraulic pump and I've only found used options which doesn't give me a whole lot of confidence in how long they might last. Is there a rebuilt kit for this pump and has anyone done it before? I might have found a kit for it but I'm waiting for confirmation from the seller so I know we're talking about the same thing.

 

Hi dtrain, that pump on the front can be disabled and unhooked so there is no fluid passing through it. As Don advised me "way back when" take the pump off (no small feat in itself) and remove the drive dog connecting it to the motor. I installed a new gasket out of paranoia, but am not sure it is needed. Then, put the pump back on without any hoses and be happy. The steering will run off of the lower pump. I have used this set up for 10 years. Good luck!

 

Jerry, can you explain what you mean "remove the drive dog (cog?) connecting it to the motor"? And, to a complete novice when it comes to remedies like this: why remove the drive cog?

I have attached a diagram that Don sent me earlier in a discussion about the tandem pump.

Do you mean remove the part I have circled in black in the diagram?

 

The pump on the 6 is different than that on the 12. On the 6 1992 and prior there is a smallish hydro pump mounted to the front center of the motor so that when it leaks it will create the most fiendish squealing from dripping on the drive belts. That pump serves the SLS and so it is a bit like an appendix. It is driven by this dog or cog toothed to the front of the lower cam gear as I recall. You can pull the pump and remove the dog, reinstall the pump and keep going. I had not thought about the 12's tandem pump being set up the same way, but I am not sure that it would work that way. You would still have one bearing running without oil so maybe check with your guy on that.

 

If you remove the pump/drive dog and reinstall, do you leave the hoses connected or relocate them?

 

I have no hoses on mine. I have a stub hose with a plug in it on the reservoir which isn't the prettiest, but it seals. The other went to the power unit and it's return line was a "y"shaped thing which met with the power steering return. I kept that hose as a memento to Jaguars unique thinking process. I then ran a simple straight hose rated for oils as the steering return line.