How do I bypass power steering pump and completely get rid of it?
What do you mean when you say that the pump can't be repaired or replaced? If it's a matter of not being able to afford to fix it or you can't get the parts, then you are probably going to be without a truck for a while until you can get it fixed properly. While it may technically be possible to do away with the power steering, it is most likely going to be more difficult and more expensive than making repairs (if you want it to be safe at all).Vehicles that have power steering simply aren't designed to be driven without it. You will cause damage to other steering components such as the rack or gearbox. Not only that, but vehicles are geared differently now. The steering on a non powered vehicle was designed to function without hydraulics. Without power, a modern system's steering radius is affected greatly, they literally can't turn as far without power.The heavier the vehicle, the harder it is to steer without power. In particular, I would not attempt to drive any pickup(or larger vehicle) on the road without power steering. There's simply to much risk.There are only two times when I would even consider driving a vehicle with failed power steering:In an emergency. Either I need to get the vehicle home, or I need to get someone to a hospital and have no other options.It's a farm vehicle, the only thing I use it for is moving a few tools around a field.I've had to move two modern vehicles with failed power steering. The first was a Honda Civic that wouldn't run. We dragged it about ten miles with me steering the car. It was really hard to turn at all, and that was with a fairly lightweight car. Afterwards it felt like I'd spent the entire day weightlifting, just from a short drive.The other vehicle was my friend's Dakota pickup. I went out with him to get the truck. The pump had failed and we needed to get it back to his house so that we had space and tools to work with. We got it started, he hopped in to drive, and I followed in my car. I followed him right up until he plowed into a tree on a particularly sharp turn. He simply couldn't make the turn without power steering. He ended up with a tow bill, body shop bill, the repair bill for the pump, and a hospital visit on top. That's why I will never recommend doing away with power steering on a vehicle.
How do I add coolant to a 1994 Mercedes Benz E320?
The coolant reservoir is located at the top left of the engine bay near the firewall. It is an oblong white plastic container with a silver pressure cap as would be seen in older cars directly on the radiator. There should be a green liquid in it. DO NOT open the cap if the car has been running. It should be cool/cold before opening!! Check the full line on the canister and do not over-fill the reservoir.If I remember correctly, immediately before adding the coolant, start the engine, so the coolant will circulate and air bubbles will not form in the cooling system. Then seal the cap tightly.
Is it safe to drive a vehicle without power steering fluid?
No it’s not. While you CAN drive without it, the potential failure could result in stranding you on the side of the road. Anything built in the last 15 years most likely has a serpentine belt system that powers all your accessories.When you run out of power steering fluid, the bearings in your power steering pump no longer have lubrication available to keep them cool. Those bearings will fail, the pump will seize and that will result in your serpentine belt to fight against one accessory that is no longer moving. The belt will fly off the engine and all other accessories, water pump, A/C, alternator etc will be powerless and your vehicle will shortly cease to run from overheating or dead battery.
How long could you drive without a drive belt?
In a modern automobile …one made within the last 20 years or so …it would depend. It may overheat first or it may deplete the battery …or both …before you or the engine stops driving it.The drive belt …aka serpentine belt …drives all or most of the accessories on modern engines.For some vehicles, particularly overhead cam (OHC) vehicles, the water pump is often driven by the belt spinning the cam shaft. On other engines types, overhead valve (OHV) engines in particular, the water pump is driven by the serpentine belt.But in both types of engines the alternator is almost always driven by the serpentine belt.So, in all cases, if the belt breaks you can drive until the battery dies …since that’s the only source of electrical power in the car when the alternator isn’t working. How long the engine will run on just the battery is a function of the health of the battery and whatever other electrical loads there are (like the electric fuel pump, electric cooling fan, AC compressor clutch, HVAC fan, headlights, wipers).If you have an OHC engine where the water pump is run off the cam belt then chances are you won’t overhear the engine right away; a good flow of coolant will be running through the radiator. If you’re running at a steady speed …like on the freeway …the battery will probably die before the engine overheats …but if you’re slogging along in rush hour traffic, maybe not so much.If you have an OHV engine, the water pump gets taken out with the busted belt and you lose good circulation of coolant through the radiator. Chances are the engine will begin to overheat relatively quickly …or at least a lot sooner than for an engine with a working water pump …especially if you’re running in slow moving traffic.So, there ya go.Ideally, being a good car owner, you check that belt for wear and tension and get it fixed before it bites you in the ass.
What happens if you drive your car with no power steering fluid?
Contrary to the other answers, steering a car with failed power steering is quite possible. It is difficult at low speed, and extremely difficult when stopped, but it can be done. You'll build your arm and chest muscles doing it for any extended period of time.My '87 Mercury leaked power steering fluid like a seive, and I was still able to drive it - even pulling a trailer - without the hydraulic boost.But the other answers are correct that doing so can and eventually will cause the power steering pump to fail. That in and of itself is bad, but it's not the worst thing, especially if you are far from home when it happens.Most modern cars use what's called a serpentine belt to run the engine accessories: the air conditioning compressor, alternator, power steering pump, and radiator fan are all run by the same belt. If one of these fails, the belt can snap, leaving you with an engine that will quickly fail due to either overheating or lack of electrical power.In short, keep at least enough fluid in the pump to keep the shaft lubricated, even if it's not enough to make the system work.
What happens if you attempt to drive with a broken serpentine belt?
The serpentine belt powers many different accessories and required pieces of equipment on an engine. You can live without the air conditioner. The car is usable for a short time without the alternator working if you have a good battery. You can man handle the steering wheel without power steering. Some cars have a smog/emissions control pump that needs to work or the engine will run rough or even not at all.BUT, you will overheat your engine if the water pump is not turning and pumping coolant through the engine and radiator. You could make a short drive of 5 minutes or so before engine heat would be a problem. Hopefully, that is to a mechanic who will replace the broken serpentine belt.