Power steering leak? - 2017 lavante

Lavanteab

New Member
Messages
15
Hi guys,

has anyone had any issues with power steering on a lavante?

i noticed red/orange tinted liquid under the drivers side of the car. I also had an alarm on the dash for power steering (which has cleared) please see attached pictures to see what you think.

will this be a big job to fix potentially? Not sure wether to take to dealer or not.
 

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safrane

Member
Messages
16,746
Not many Lavante owners on her to be fair - I would suggest the dealer network give the age of the car
 

mowlas

Member
Messages
1,728
What is the mileage of the car? It could just be seal rings which require replacing which wouldn’t necessarily be a big job. I don’t know the Levante at all, but on QP V it was about an hours work to move the rubber boots, replace the rings and refill.

A reddish fluid would almost certainly be power steering fluid.
 

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Lavanteab

New Member
Messages
15
What is the mileage of the car? It could just be seal rings which require replacing which wouldn’t necessarily be a big job. I don’t know the Levante at all, but on QP V it was about an hours work to move the rubber boots, replace the rings and refill.

A reddish fluid would almost certainly be power steering fluid.
Thank you!

the car is 2017 with 39k miles on it.
I’m thinking of taking a local garage rather than the dealership to see what they can do
 

mowlas

Member
Messages
1,728
Thank you!

the car is 2017 with 39k miles on it.
I’m thinking of taking a local garage rather than the dealership to see what they can do
I’d be tempted to try an independent that is knowledgeable in Maseratis. If you share your approximate location, I’m sure forum members would be able to recommend good nearby independents.

I’m assuming the car is out of warranty. If not, then I would certainly take it to a main dealer.
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,593
Has it been serviced recently? May explain the leak. We don't see them fail seal wise to be fair....well, not yet.
 

Lavanteab

New Member
Messages
15
Has it been serviced recently? May explain the leak. We don't see them fail seal wise to be fair....well, not yet.
Yes it has had a minor service recently but not at a dealer. I’m not sure the garage would have done anything to cause an issue with the power steering fluid though.
But a good shout, thank you
 

Lavanteab

New Member
Messages
15
I’d be tempted to try an independent that is knowledgeable in Maseratis. If you share your approximate location, I’m sure forum members would be able to recommend good nearby independents.

I’m assuming the car is out of warranty. If not, then I would certainly take it to a main dealer.
Yes it’s now out of warranty unfortunately, I’m Stafford based.
 

Oneball

Member
Messages
11,071
Check the level, you don’t want to be using it without any fluid.

From the photos it doesn’t look like the rack area, first thing I’d check is that the lid is on the reservoir. If that’s the front of the wheel arch something could have holed the power steering cooler.
 

Lavanteab

New Member
Messages
15
Check the level, you don’t want to be using it without any fluid.

From the photos it doesn’t look like the rack area, first thing I’d check is that the lid is on the reservoir. If that’s the front of the wheel arch something could have holed the power steering cooler.
Ok thank you I will check this over, really appreciate the reply
 

mowlas

Member
Messages
1,728
Check the level, you don’t want to be using it without any fluid.

From the photos it doesn’t look like the rack area, first thing I’d check is that the lid is on the reservoir. If that’s the front of the wheel arch something could have holed the power steering cooler.
That’s a really good shout. It could well be the leak is higher up in the hydraulic system, or at any of the joins of the lines.

I’m south east of England but hopefully other members could recommend indies near Stafford. Would you consider taking it back to where you had it serviced? They should feel some obligation to ensure it wasn’t related to something they did.

Here’s the system pic from Eurospares: https://www.eurospares.co.uk/Masera...051/Steering_Rack_And_Hydraulic_Steering_Pump

100999
 
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Lavanteab

New Member
Messages
15
That’s a really good shout. It could well be the leak is higher up in the hydraulic system, or at any of the joins of the lines.

I’m south east of England but hopefully other members could recommend indies near Stafford. Would you consider taking it back to where you had it serviced? They should feel some obligation to ensure it wasn’t related to something they did.

Here’s the system pic from Eurospares: https://www.eurospares.co.uk/Masera...051/Steering_Rack_And_Hydraulic_Steering_Pump

View attachment 100999
Thank you! That’s a great help.
 

Lavanteab

New Member
Messages
15
That’s a really good shout. It could well be the leak is higher up in the hydraulic system, or at any of the joins of the lines.

I’m south east of England but hopefully other members could recommend indies near Stafford. Would you consider taking it back to where you had it serviced? They should feel some obligation to ensure it wasn’t related to something they did.

Here’s the system pic from Eurospares: https://www.eurospares.co.uk/Masera...051/Steering_Rack_And_Hydraulic_Steering_Pump

View attachment 100999
After seeing this diagram it possibly is not that, it seems to be coming from the bottom of this coolant tank.
 

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Lavanteab

New Member
Messages
15
Check the level, you don’t want to be using it without any fluid.

From the photos it doesn’t look like the rack area, first thing I’d check is that the lid is on the reservoir. If that’s the front of the wheel arch something could have holed the power steering cooler.
Just having a look, I may be wrong but it seems to be coming from this coolant tank.
 

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Oneball

Member
Messages
11,071
I think a couple of people in here have had coolant tank leaks on Ghiblis, both due to a crack in the tank. According to Eurospares a new expansion tank is £40. I’d take it to a local garage/specialist you trust unless you want to do it yourself.

Check the coolant level and see if it’s changing.
 

Lavanteab

New Member
Messages
15
I think a couple of people in here have had coolant tank leaks on Ghiblis, both due to a crack in the tank. According to Eurospares a new expansion tank is £40. I’d take it to a local garage/specialist you trust unless you want to do it yourself.

Check the coolant level and see if it’s changing.
Brilliant, it’s very accessible too. I have my local MOT garage who are experienced and I trust not to fob me off so I’ll take it there on Monday and see what they think.

Once again, thanks for your reply, it really means a lot as I’m useless with this kind of stuff. Almost a sigh of relief
 

Lavanteab

New Member
Messages
15
Does anyone have any advice of what coolant to use on the 3.0 v6 lavante, just so I ensure I’m safe getting to the garage
 

P R

Member
Messages
1,382
Yes mine cracked and leaked from the join between the black and clear plastics. Have a look when up to temp and with the engine running. On mine you could see it bubbling out

Sent from my SM-G980F using Tapatalk
 

Lavanteab

New Member
Messages
15
Yes mine cracked and leaked from the join between the black and clear plastics. Have a look when up to temp and with the engine running. On mine you could see it bubbling out

Sent from my SM-G980F using Tapatalk
I have been trying to source 1 today but can’t seem to get one anywhere