The pump is direct drive off the front of the engine (unless it has the newer style combo steering/leveling pump), any time the engine is running the pump is too. How does the fluid level look?

Not sure if there are any check valves in the system or not. Don't recall ever reading about one dropping when not running. Maybe one of the techs has heard that symptom before.

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.