Failing power steering pump after cam belt change ???

[Chris1979]

57 transit connect 1.8 tdci swb 162000 miles.
So today a mechanic friend of mine in work changed my timing belt , auxiliary belt , water pump and auto tensioner on my van, on returning the van to me he said that the awful noise we could hear is a failing power steering pump.
I know for a fact that before I handed the car to him to change the belt there wasn't any "failing" noise at all.
He said that after replacing the auxiliary belt the noise could be heard but the noise would stop when the belt was removed which would indicate a problem with the power steering pump, I'm not a mechanic so I've not a clue !
Now in hind sight I feel like I should've asked a few more questions but as it is I haven't so I thought I'd ask you guys if you've ever experienced/heard of any similar problems.
I did inspect the engine bay when I got home and I can see that the power steering fluid has gone past the "max" level , I don't know if this is relevant but I thought I should let you's know.
As always any help is greatly appreciated;)

[blue estate]

The level will go above max because it's hot recheck in morning and it will have gone down
Did you notice any difference in the steering on way home ?
Could be water pump

[Chris1979]

I'm not sure about noticing a difference with the steering , although I did notice , which I did forget to mention before , whilst turning the steering wheel in either direction to full lock the auxiliary belt slips and the head lights dim slightly until I let go of the steering wheel. My mate seems to think it could be the auxiliary tensioner ?

[andz327]

I'm not sure about noticing a difference with the steering , although I did notice , which I did forget to mention before , whilst turning the steering wheel in either direction to full lock the auxiliary belt slips and the head lights dim slightly until I let go of the steering wheel. My mate seems to think it could be the auxiliary tensioner ?

Is it the correct belt size , its possibly a smaller size and keeping to much tension, could be auto tensioner like you said sticking in tight position , noise definitely away when belt is off??

[Chris1979]

So I took the car back to my mate who kindly stuck it in the air on his ramps to examine the auxiliary tensioner from underneath and quickly confirmed by applying a little pressure to the auxiliary tensioner that it was in fact ready for the bin.
The vibrations that came off the tensioner were vibrating through the power steering pump and so gave the wrong impression.
I've just had a look on flea bay and there not cheap considering what they are but I need one so time to get the credit card out AGAIN !!

[Chris1979]

Update !! ... it turns out that there's 3 different size auxiliary belts to choose from. 1 size if it's got air con and 2 sizes to choose from without aircon.
The belt that I was supplied with when buying the cambelt kit was too big and not creating enough tension to engage the auxiliary tensioner properly causing it to vibrate enough to make me think it was kippered !
All is fixed and I'm a happy chappy, now onto the near side drive shaft and track rod end.

[Kenton]

Great to know this Chris! Cheers for updating, and good luck with the rest of the repairs mate.