Hi Guys. Can anyone help me diagnose a fault I have with the power steering on a 2005 Ulysse 2.2 Prestigio please? First thing in the morning at start up for the first couple of minutes it is as though there is no power steering. Clears up after that and seems fine. Seems okay for the rest of the day until same problem next morning. Fluid level is okay. It has 127000 miles on and fluid has not been changed since new. Could it just need a fluid change or is it likely to be the rack or the pump? Thanks

Just to add I have had no warning messages or lights etc.

Is the serpentine belt tight? (It will get tighter when the engine heats up as components expand.) I'd look there first as it's the cheapest solution...

I've had a garage check things out and they cannot find anything wrong so I presume they checked the belt. They did say the battery test initially said "charge and retest" which they did and it passed 100%. However I didn't have the problem the morning I took it to the garage. They tell me the pump was quiet and there were no fluid leaks. They also said that the fluid was "unserviceable" i.e. that it never needs changing - is that true? This wasn't a Fiat dealer by the way but they have been reliable when I have used them previously. Just clocked 127000 miles and still on original battery.

I'd still check that belt tension - when the car is cold. You can easily do it yourself: the belt runs (outside the cambelt cover) round the power steering pump and the alternator. If you can get your hand in between the left side of the engine and the inner wing below the fuse box, can you depress the belt more than about a few millimetres? On the longest run you can get to?

The power steering fluid is AFAIK automatic transmission fluid. It's not hygroscopic (doesn't absorb water unlike brake fluid) and your garage is correct in saying it doesn't need changing. Unless someone has topped the reservoir up with the wrong thing? Could happen!