Power Steering Issue and vanishing fluid.

[Hunnum]

Odd issue with my 2008 9-3 Linear and the power steering.

Reservoir was dropping oil after the o-ring failed between it and the pump.
O-ring replaced.
Topped up the res with the correct fluid and all worked fine.
Couple of days later the steering started to get heavy and the res empty.
Believing that the res leak needed a bit extra, more fluid added (1 Ltr so far)
All worked good for a few hours and steering became heavy and intermittent with the steering coming back with a kick then heavy again.
No leaks anywhere on the rack, lines or pump and no puddles under the car.
Checked under the Oil fill cap on the engine and could not be certain if I saw a couple of drops of PSF on the crossbar.
Took off the pump and serviced and replaced all seals.
Flushed the rack and pressure tested, all ok.
Refilled and bled the system.
All worked fine for a few hours and then if by magic, went heavy and no fluid in res and no leaks.
3 lts added to system over all.
System checked again and topped up with further bleeding.
Steering works fine for a few hours then goes heavy.
No noises from the pump or rack.
No fluid in the res.

Note
Tried the user manual version of bleeding (5 second run) and also went to steering wheel bleed.

Question's
I don't believe the fluid is entering the Twilight Zone, its going somewhere, but where?
Could the PSF be pushed through the shaft seal on the engine pump cam into the engine?
Could this occur if the needle valve is stuck/sticky in the pump prior to the high pressure line?
Is there an issue with the pump or is the pump failing?
Where is the bloody fluid going?

Got a new original pump on its way just in case.
Any Suggestions?
Thanks in advance

[Hunnum]

Update.
Power steering Fluid is definitely getting into the engine, just proved that.
The pump has had new seals 3 times, so it's not the seals.
So either the valve is sticking at the HP inlet (There is fluid in the rack and lines) or the pump is stuffed in other ways.
No engine oil in the Power Steering System
New pump arrives Monday
Have to assume the pump or needle valve

[Digger]

Could the PSF be pushed through the shaft seal on the engine pump cam into the engine?
Could
Is there an issue with the pump or is the pump failing?

Got a new original pump on its way just in case.
Any Suggestions?
Thanks in advance[/QUOTE]

Pretty hard not to notice the residual from several liters of power steering fluid somewhere on the garage floor so your new pump should solve the problem. These things are so readily available I've never had to rebuild one, so I can't say usually stuck or worn anything, but when they go bad they will push steering fluid into the engine.

[Hunnum]

Cheers Digger.
Floor is dry as a bone, even ran it on blocks to see if any weird splits were spraying under stress.
Seeing the fluid in the engine now I'm going to put the new pump on.
Thanks for replying Cheers

[Hunnum]

Found the issue and for anyone else with elusive magical power steering fluid this is what I did.
Stripped down the High Pressure inlet and found it jammed. Good clean and a little rub with some 800's and it moved freely.
With pumps costing a fair amount it might be worth trying.
The PSF is getting into the engine so no puddles.