If I'm stopped at the lights with my hands off the steering wheel, I hear a sissing noise.

If I put a little pressure on the steering wheel, anti-clockwise/ clockwise, doesn't matter, the sound stops.

It sounds like it's the power steering letting off air, while not being used.

My question............Is this normal, or is it an indication that something will need repairing in the near future?

(220D 1973)

__________________
306D 1975 (camper) - rusting away
W116 450 SEL 1975 - sold
W114 long wheelbase ambulance, 3 litre diesel 1974

VW Golf 1 convertable - midlife crisis item
VW T4 van - support vehicle

sorry for the obvious:

how's the condition of you p/s belt, and level on p/s fluid...?

any rubbing on the p/s pully or belts (foreign objects)?

-fad

P/s belt new, fluid full, will check for foreign objects by the belt in the morning.

How would any of these cause the symptom?

It sounds like a noisy air release valve or something.

It will probably be obvious at this stage that I have no idea about the workings of power steering.

__________________
306D 1975 (camper) - rusting away
W116 450 SEL 1975 - sold
W114 long wheelbase ambulance, 3 litre diesel 1974

VW Golf 1 convertable - midlife crisis item
VW T4 van - support vehicle

If you are standing near the engine, does it still sound like air escaping? Perhaps it is belt tensioner rattle, and the sound insulation from inside mutes the noise. Does it go away when turning on the lights?

Steve

No sound from engine compartment.

No difference with lights on.

__________________
306D 1975 (camper) - rusting away
W116 450 SEL 1975 - sold
W114 long wheelbase ambulance, 3 litre diesel 1974

VW Golf 1 convertable - midlife crisis item
VW T4 van - support vehicle

...if the p/s is operating ok, the noise most likely foretelling the likely hood that something is amiss (p/s or some other effected component)

keep an eye on it, or if you would like to delve further, purchase a stetescope and poke around (and listen) with the system in operation

it will be interesting where the source actually discovered

let us know what turns out
-fad