Any Auto-Mechanics here? Help me!

[Nutdotnet]

Sup all.

My Vehicle is VERY hard to turn at times while it is raining.

I own a 1990 Volkswagen Jetta GL. I am experiancing a problem which I have not been able to diagnose, and have yet to take it to a mechanic so I am asking for anyone who cares to help to help me out.

While it is raining out my car becomes difficult to steer at times. It is like the power-steering just goes away. Now I am thinking the wet road causes this somehow but don't know how. My car is not difficult all the time while I am turning and the roads are wet probably 50-60% of the time. Every once in a while I hear a squeal while I am turning and it is tough to steer. No, it is not because I am turning the wheel too much .

The rarely happens when it is dry out, but does occansionally happen, but only when I am say backing out of parking place or making a sharp turn with no speed, but other than that I don't experiance any problems when it is dry out side, I can make turns at stoplights without problems, basically when it is dry out I don't experiance the "hard-steering" issues that I have when the roads are wet.

Any help would be fantastic, and I am keeping my fingers crossed that it is only a belt that needs to be replaced or something like that, although I have a feeling that it is much more and more expensive.

Thanks in advance!

 

[JimmyEatWorld]

My only advice to you is to get rid of that car as soon as posssible. I used to own a 91' Jetta eco-Diesal. It got 38 to the gallon, but the body was literally falling apart, I had to replace the transmission, the headlamps were poorly engineered with glass!!! that leaked no less, and the A/C was gone after 2 years, and oh yes, when it was on its last legs when I got rid of it it was forming cracks in the raditor, which had been replaced already. GET RID OF IT. and get a new one, because those kick booty.

 

[Nutdotnet]

No offense, but don't you think if I could afford to get rid of it I would? I'm sorry but I don't have mommy and daddy around to pay for new toys. Plus I don't have a job to afford a new car. I am a college-student, and I would rather be getting a higher education with my money rather than making payments on a car. I mean the car does great for the amount of times I use it.


BTW- Nice Sig, hehe

 

[desertdweller]

Water spashing on the belts can cause them to slip, if they are slipping you will loose the hydrolic pressure needed for the power steering to actually work. If you notice sqealing from the belts, tighten the belts up and/or replace them. If it has some type of auto adjusting belt tensioner for the belts (basically a spring loaded pulley) then you may need to replace it if it isn't holding proper tension on the belt.


DD

 

[Soybomb]

The power steering belt could indeed be old or loose and the water is just making it slip when it gets wet. Check the power steering fluid and then have the belt changed.

 

[Nutdotnet]

Well that is what I am thinking/hoping that it is just a belt problem. Still will be a little spendy for me but I would rather replace or tighten up a belt than replacing a Power Steering pump or a rack and pinion

 

[Nutdotnet]

Yeah this problem has been happening for a few months now.

Anyone else care to share their ideas?

 

[jumblies]

In order,

Add fluid,

Replace belt, (usu cheap unless serpentine)

When old belt is off, make sure you check the bearings on the pump by seeing if its wobbly

Find out if its leaking

if persists, you are prob looking at a bit of spending. You may be able to go to the gym, build up upper body, and live with the problem.

 

[iamwiz82]

while you are changing the belt, change the water pump too. It should not cost too much money.

 

[Nutdotnet]

why change the water pump?

 

[jumblies]

Frequently WPs are pretty cheap and you're right there. Its a crap shoot at best. Sometimes new WP's fail and you have to replace it again.

It also runs countercurrent to my "If it aint broke, don't fix it" strategy.

 

[Emulex]

1. your belts are probably loose and frayed.

2. I owned the same model car (close). a couple of years, they made the damn splash guards optional. It may have been tore off in some off-roading activities as well. Its like $100 for a new splash guard, or make one yourself. The belt might be about $50 r&r if you take it to a vw shop.

For recommendations on vw stuff, go to www.vwvortex.com , they will tell you Exactly why , because there are tons of vw enthusiasts there. Your A2 jetta is not a bad car. And theres lotsa nifty stuff , cheap, that you can do to it.

In atlanta, theres a bunch of vw tuners who will fix your car cheap, folks at vwvortex will tell you who is good, and cheap. You might find someone willing to come over and fix it for you.

Great car I just picked up an 01 jetta gls vr6 and a few days ago a 90 vw corrado g60 supercharged.

 

[Nutdotnet]

Yes, when I finally by a new car it is gonna be a brand new VW!

 

[Emulex]

dude check out the new 2002 lineup items for vw They have some cool new features and motors good stuff coming in less than a year!!

 

[JimmyEatWorld]

Yeah, the new Golf GTI is gonna be killer, I'd like an imported Corrado from a couple years back, but the maitinence would be too much, besides I can't even buy either one right now anyways hehe

 

[Nutdotnet]

Oh yeah? hehe, I am not expecting to buy for another couple years at least but hey it doesn't hurt to drool!

 

[Wingznut]

EX-auto technician here. And I concur...

Probably the P/S belt getting wet and slipping.

 

[Nutdotnet]

Well this is at least making me feel better about the problem.

BTW- How much do you guys think it is gonna cost to get the belt replaced, labor included?

 

[yakko]

The problem is happening because the power steering belt/pump is the lowest one on the car. No other reason. It is right behind the passenger side front wheel. I will send you the VW part number of the plastic sheild that will prevent that from happening quite as badly.

Edit - I have to find the number first.

 

[Nutdotnet]

Ahh, so the lowest belt is the steering pump belt?

 

[Soybomb]

<< hy change the water pump? >>

You shouldn't. In some cars its an easy change while you're there, but in some its considerably more difficult. I also agree, if its not broken, don't disturb it or you may wind up with 2 problems on your hands instead of 1.

I'm not familar with how hard it is to get to on your car, but I wouldn't think the belt change would be more than $50....... Say $10-15 for the belt and half an hours labor?

 

[Emulex]

corrado's aren't all that bad on maintenance. A good shape G60 (90-91) will run you about $6000. A good shape 92-94 Vr6 will run a little over $10K. fun stuff. G60 upgrades are uber cheap. Plus of course, put a corrado next to a 2001 golf or jetta, and the styling is still contemporary and unique!