PS pump whine...belt or rebuild ?

[ckelly78z]

I just picked a really nice 85.5 944 with virtually everything that could be replaced mechanically has been done recently with a folder full of expensive receipts from a local shop near where the P.O. lives (300 miles from me).

Everything on the car works well but I noticed on a cold startup, the PS pump whines and really gets loud when I turn the wheel (revving the car does not change the noise unless the wheel is turned).

I was wondering if you guys thought it might be a over tensioned belt that was replaced earlier this year along with the other important belts, seals, and WP, and only driven 100 miles before I bought it. or if the pump needs one of those rebuild kits with the O-rings, and washer.

It also looks like the PS rack was bebuilt about 15,000 miles ago, so I can't think there is anything going on there.

[ernie9944]

Are you sure you got the rigth kind of fluid in it,Porsche PS need ATF in it ( not power steering fluid).Using ATF +3 Super Pro RXL 1 in mine without issues up to date.

[ernie9944]

Forgot,also check Clark's Garage Home Page for trouble shooting.Once on main page click (Garage Shop Manuel)

[HondaDustR]

Yes, sounds like a fluid problem. It's driven by a v belt which will almost never make a whining noise.

I'd drain and flush with a good ATF. Low fluid level can also cause whining.

[ckelly78z]

It was whining at first and I checked the fluid level.....it was low and only registered on the very tip of the cap indicator. I then added the wrong stuff (Prestone power steering fluid), drove it and checked it again and saw the fluid all foamed up.

After 1/4 mile of driving there is no more whining sound.

[HondaDustR]

You need to flush that cocktail out and replace with ATF or it will do bad things to your seals in the long run.

[ckelly78z]

Yea, here within a week or two, I will get the pump rebuild kit and flush the system out, replace the belt, and put the proper ATF in, and hopefully that will take care of any problems.

[Rasta Monsta]

Power steering fluid out ASAP, will destroy seals rather quickly.

[ckelly78z]

Can I use Mobil 1 Dexron lll fully synthetic in the power steering resevoir, or does it have to be non-synthetic ?

[Rasta Monsta]

You've been running power steering fluid in that thing for three months? The rack also contains seals that are destroyed by the wrong fluid.

You need to flush and fill, synthetic not a problem. Also replace reservoir. . .contains a fluid filter and is meant to be discarded as regular service.

Finally, whine can be caused by cavitation from leaking connections between the feed line and the pump (updated by Porsche TSB), and by a leaking, worn out line.

[ckelly78z]

No, I have only started the car 3 times since then with the PS fluid in there. I have been working alot, and it has been too cold to attempt anything outside.