Hi guys
New here today; i've been tinkering on my 2000 XJ 2.5TD a bit but have reached a bit of a problem today...
Wondering if i can pick your brains!
To fill you in a bit, my cherokee is standard except:
Twin Kenlowe electric fan conversion, tied into AC and with a kill switch inside cabin for crossings
A K&N cone filter
BFG ATKOs
Xenon H4 kit
Right, what i was doing today with my caveman-like level of mechanical skill was trying to replace the power steering fluid. I got the Mopar stuff from Jeep and went about it, as the steering is intermittently not very well assisted at 3/4 lock so i thought i'd change the fluid as it looks pretty filthy....
FIRST OFF, i mistakenly disconnected the small hydraulic pipe at the bottom of the P/S pump and started engine. I replaced it as soon as i realised that it actually goes over the top of the engine to the big metal cylinder near the brake master cyclinder and has nothing to do with P/S....bloody odd - no fluid in it; it just sucks air
I then removed clamp from bottom of steering fluid bottle and started engine. Not such a good idea as fluid went everywhere
I really shouldn't even try these things....but i like ot have a go and try to learn instead of just paying jeep. :/
So i cleared up, replaced the hose, refilled with fluid and let it froth and calm down as i topped it up while i steered left and right. The whining decreased a fair bit and the steering seemed ok.
But when i went for a drive, whilst the steering seeemd ok, the engine is gutless and lumpy above 2000 rpm! What on earth have i done! ?
After 10 miles or so of driving around, i think it is getting slightly worse, not better, and to cap it all, the inconsistent steering assistance is back.
I really would be very grateful if any of you experienced chaps could help me out here as the car is really not right and i can't see how disconnecting that wrong pipe could have been so major or why perhaps not bleeding the steering properly would lead to such major loss of turbo power!
Many thanks, Richard Utting