steering --> cold=whine, warm=no-whine

[e_nough]

hi folks

when cold outside, 20-40°F, my power steering pump whines very loud and leaks, and leaks bigtime!

Today it warmed up to 50-60°F (Atlanta) and no noise and no leak from the pump.

I realize that all power steering pumps whine, and they are louder when they are cold (fluid viscosity is high in cold temps), but this one is really loud and really leaky.

I performed the steering rack test, jack it up and turn the wheel back and forth to the stops to check for resistance, and it passed the test.

I also performed the steering pump test with it cold outside. the test is as follows, with the car on the ground turn the wheel back and forth to the stops 10 times and check for a leak under the pump. if there is a leak replace the pump. so i did this test and i got a 2" diameter puddle of fluid on the driveway.

so, why the problems in the cold but not in the warm?

[Pheedbak]

I get a similar problem but minus the leak when its cold the power steering makes a really harsh 'bark' is the best way to describe it. Really loud but after say a minute it goes away. I am replacing the power steering hose (reservior to pump) this weekend as ppl have suggested this tube can collapse making a reed in effect and causing the noise ! Ill let you know ... from what youve said id imagine the actual pump is leaking from somewhere other than the hose connections . er no clues on this or why it happens in the cold .. Im looking forward to reading responses though !!

Cheers

Phil
85 944NA

[mike944]

I've had a similar problem.

The noise is caused by air in the fluid system. Mine was caused by a low level in the resevoir due to resevior leakage. BUT it can be caused by bad seals in the pump.

The reason it happens more in the cold, is when the fluid is thicker, the pump has to "suck" harder on the fluid lines to get the same volume of fluid flow. The additional vacuum caused by the pump trying harder to pump the heavy fluid, can suck air in through partially worn-out seals.

Mike

[e_nough]

that makes some sense.

here is another symptom. it only makes the noise when you turn the wheel and the pump feels resistance. no noise when going straight. the slower the car is going the more noise you get i.e. more resistance and stress on the pump.

does that still sound like the problem you had?

what's the solution?

do i need to do anything or just leave it be?

[mike944]

Yes, that's the same problem i had.

I don't know all that much about power steering systems in general, but i can only assume that they don't pump fluid when it is not needed (i.e. not turning the wheel) therefore, no fluid pumping, no air sucking.

Mine was an easy fix, i just cleaned up and re-clamped the hose on the bottom of the fluid resevoir. That stopped the leak, and i just filled it up to the normal amount, and i just keep an eye on it.

even if you just have a low fluid level like me, once you get air into the system, it will bleed itself out, it just takes some time.

if yours is leaking that bad, the pump needs to be replaced.


Mike

[This message has been edited by mike944 (edited 02-01-2001).]