Hi All
I have just noticed a 'hiss' coming from the power steering when driving & NOT on full lock!
I Know the Hissing can be caused by a split in one of the pipes, but I’m not losing any fluid. Plus a hissing sound is normal on full lock...it’s the pressure release valve, but alas this is happening turning the car on any corner. Any ideas chaps?

 

I think this can happen with old fluid, I'm getting the same and will soon have my power steeting fluid flushed and replaced. from my understanding the fluid gets crappy and the worn over time, mines done 126,000 miles and is the only nag I have with her.

 

Brilliant M8
I have had the car on the ramp & checked the Steering rack + fluid level and all looked ok. But I never thought of checking the colour of the fluid & giving her a full fluid change. The fluid is significantly darker & no doubt has never been changed. You’re a STAR, and a BIG thank you for pointing me in the right direction.

 

Not a problem sir, incidentally was it easy to drain the old fluid out, as I'm going to do the same, from my understanding there should be a drain plug on the steering rack.

 

Anybody who says the X-Type is a Mondeo really does not know what they are talking about. I got the car up on the ramp & took one look at getting to the steering rack drain plug & gave up! I took the car round to the local garage & he confirmed my fears. You need to strip away a few layers to get at the Rack. But he had a moment of genius & said it will be possible to take out the oil from the top return pipe using a compressor vacuum pump. This option will only remove 80% of the oil but far better than tackling the job from underneath the car. As we started to remove the Oil, metal fillings started to appear in the Oil. My first thought was the power steering motor impeller was on its way out. We put fresh oil in and the problem of the hiss was still there! So I rang the main Jaguar dealer & booked the car in to let them have a good look at the Steering Rack & Power Steering Motor.
Long story short, if you or your local garage has a vacuum pump remove the old oil this way (10minute job) and save yourself the head ache of trying to drain it from the Rack.

 

@Blu3, I was very lucky, I got 4 tyres changed and an MOT then I mentioned could they quote me for the draining of the fuild and replacing it, the lovely people did it for free so i have very quiet steering now, also it is much lighter, not sure if your steering feels different?