Technical Power steering question

[ClareBayly]

My 2018 Fiat Ducato motorhome (2.3 150 6 spd manual with 55k) developed a whine in the steering. Upon checking found the steering fluid was contaminated - seemingly by water - and resembled a strawberry milkshake. My son had the van at the time and wasn't sure how to drain the reservoir so suctioned as much as he could, filled it with new fluid and kept driving. On arrival back home I took it to my mechanic who was unable to find the source of water incursion other than a slight bend in the washer inside the inner cap (my reservoir has two caps). He flushed the system 3 times and filled with new fluid. The whine is less but still there. His advice was to drive it and see if it settles down. If the fluid doesn't become contaminated again, I am guessing I will have to replace the steering pump. Has anyone else had a similar experience - and if so, what's your advice?

 

[Anthony489]

I can only imagine that rainwater from the windscreen and scuttle is being dumped on top of the power steering filler cap and a small proportion is finding its way inside. It may be an idea to do another cycle of sucking out the fluid and replacing with new, now that any residual water has been pumped around a bit. You could fashion some sort of rain cover from rubber or plastic sheet.