Power Steering Pump Problem

[It's SHO Time]

Well i think my power steering pump is almost shot. When I went to ckeck my power steering fluid it smelt close to what burnt 90 weight smells like, and when I start my car it makes a really weird noise and it's really hard to turn the steering wheel intell it warms up a little then ever thing is fine..
tell me what you guys think.
oh also i've noticed it has been leaking all over the passanger side of my motor.

 

[philallemang]

Several things could be at fault,

1) Seals on the pump are shot, and causing it to leak.

2) There is a hole in a pressure hose, squirting oil some place hot.

So basically, its leaking fluid some place in the system. Just have to going to look around and look for a leak.
I have an extra power steering pump if you need one, just email me.

 

[SHOZ123]

With the hassle of changing the PS pump I would try some Auto-RX first (standard answer of late).

 

[projectSHO89]

That leak might very well not be from the PS pump. It might be engine oil leaking from the cam seal behind the cam sensor. To quickly check, reach in there and run your fingers along the underside of the sensor and mounting housing. If they come out really oily, you have found the source of your leak, and it's not the PS system. You didn't mention loss of PS fluid, so oil is the more likely suspect.

Your pump is probably not the problem (yet).

Perform a complete and thorough fluid flush, put some of Paul's magic snake oil in there, and run it for a few weeks. You might get lucky and the seals will expand enough to seal and the snake oil will clean it out. If not, it is probably time for a new rack and a complete backflush. Did I mention, FLUSH BEFORE adding the snake oil, not just dumping it in without getting the old, contaminated fluid out first?

Your rack is exhibiting classic signs of "morning sickness" (Google search term: "steering rack morning sickness"). Chemicals may prolong its life, but replacement of the rack itself is the only long term solution. If you fail to properly clean out the system after rack replacement, the replacement rack will quickly start exhibiting bad behavior.

Steve

<small>[ February 24, 2003, 08:58 AM: Message edited by: projectSHO89 ]</small>

 

[SHOZ123]

Two years ago my PS fluid was as black as coffee. After flushing it out and filling with synthetic ATX it turned black in a week or so. I then started to siphoning out the reservoir and filling with cheap ATX. I did this until the fluid stayed red the refilled with Mobil 1 ATX. It has stayed red but has the bit of kickback in the turns. Yesterday I put 1 oz of the Auto-RX in the reservoir. I'll see how this does.