Re: 91 200 tq

[Brett Dikeman <brett@pdikeman.ne.mediaone.net>]

The oil smell, if "unusual" smelling(ie, not like motor oil) might be your
tranny fluid or power steering fluid.  I have a small leak that deposits
oil onto the passenger side cat at a slow rate, making for a weird burning
smell.

On the "dying power steering", maybe the pump is in need of an overhaul,
or you've got a clog somewhere.  The Bently had lots of troubleshooting
info for checking out pump pressures etc; your mechanic should have no
trouble.  All you may need is an overhaul on the pump(this is also covered
in detail in the repair manual.)

To a certain extent, I think everyone's PS acts like how you describe;
seems like it "poops out" towards the end, but is fine in between.  I
think it is influenced by engine RPM; if the engine RPMs drop too low, PS
suffers.

HTH!
Brett


On Fri, 12 Mar 1999, John Heath wrote:

> I have had a situation which is back and getting worse.  Whenever I sit with
> the engine idling, warm car, I am getting a strong burning oil smell.  No
> smoke, no obvious leaks, I've looked, mechanics have looked, etc.  No
> visible leak, vacuum hose behind the block replaced, the branching one, and
> I thought it was fixed but now it's back.
> Has any one experienced this?  Any ideas?  The car has 70K, runs well, oil
> use is less than 2/3 quart in 2500 miles.
> Next thing is that when I am sitting and I turn the wheel hard right, it
> feels that at certain points I have no PS.  Never noticed this driving.  The
> rack was replaced at 47K.  Any connection here?  Pentosin level is fine, no
> obvious loss.
> 
> I look forward to any responses.
> 
> John Heath
>