PS purge... vacuum source?

[nkb93]

After recentely reinstalling the PS pump, it's whining much more than it used to even though its circulating fluid and I have the same level of boost I had before. I think the PS system needs to be purged, which according to Helms, you're supposed to do whenever any component of the PS system is replaced.

The last post in this thread from awhile back describes the purge procedure:

http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=6470&highlight=purge

I dont have a big electric vacuum pump available, so I'm wondering, can I get away with using one of those hand pumps you use to vacuum bleed the brakes? I also need to find a suitable stopper to plug into the PS reservior fill.

TIA-

Nate

 

[projectSHO89]

I fabricated a rubber stopper plug and connector, then connected it to a compressed air-run vacuum pump that I had bought from Harbor freght. Quite a contraption, but it did the job.

I doubt that the small hand-operated pump will provided enough vacuum, but it may be worh a try.

Mine sounded like a turbo under the hood before I purged it. The regular purge procedure didn't do the job.

Steve

 

[ManySHOs]

I fabricated a rubber stopper plug and connector, then connected it to a compressed air-run vacuum pump that I had bought from Harbor freght. Quite a contraption, but it did the job.

I doubt that the small hand-operated pump will provided enough vacuum, but it may be worh a try.

Mine sounded like a turbo under the hood before I purged it. The regular purge procedure didn't do the job.

Steve

What did you use to fabricate a stopper? I have air in my system that is causing massive vibrations while turning at low speeds. It seems to be bleeding itself out but if its going to lead to premature pump failure, perhaps I should try to address the situation again.

Ian

 

[projectSHO89]

Rubber stopper came from the hardware store. Fit snugly intot he reservoir opening. I drilled a hole in it and inserted a barbed adaptor. The other end of the adapter went to a spliced line that connected to the pump.

I also had to put a couple of screws into the upper rim of the plug to serve as a travel stop so the plug wouldn't suck into the reservoir. That was real fun getting out the first time!

Steve

 

[SonicRiot]

I've purged mine twice, once for noise and again after I replaced my rack. Neither time I used any pumps, but my way is kind of messy. It helps to have two people as well.

I jacked the vehicle up and took off the return line to the resevoir and redirected it into a 5 gallon bucket. With the engine running at about 3000 rpm, turn the wheel lock to lock slowly, holding at each lock for 10 seconds. Similtaneously, top off the resevoir with PS fluid. This method also flushes the lines of old fluid, wich turns a nasty brown and tends to smell burnt.

When I replaced my rack, I didn't get all the air out, so the rack shuddered and the pump was noisy. With the vehicle on the ground, I topped the fluid resevoir and ran the car at 3000 rpm and turned the wheel lock to lock, holding at each lock for 10 seconds. After my arms got tired, I again topped the resevoir. I contined this procedure until the resevoir no longer needed fluid. After that, the pump was quiet and the rack no longer shuddered.

A pump is not neccessary to purge the PS system... it just makes it a lot easier and less time consuming to purge the system of air.

 

[SHOZ123]

Your intake manifold will develop 18" of vacuum at idle. Just have a catch can between the PS and the intake.

 

[nkb93]

Thanks everybody!

I think I'll try the intake manifold vacuum first, as Paul mentioned. I have the materials here to rig up a catch can of sorts.

Chris, so your pump did quieten down after cycling the rack back and forth for awhile? I've tried that to some degree, but it still seems like there's air getting entrained in the fluid somehow that just wont come out. I was hoping it would kinda work itself out, but no luck so far after about a week of driving the car.

haha, Steve, mine sounds more like a supercharger, but I know what you mean! So annoying, now it sounds like every other POS Taurus on the road (up until now, I always thought it was great how quiet the SHO's PS system was compared to the other SLOs I'd heard).

 

[SonicRiot]

Ford PS pumps are notoriously noisy. Don't **** yourself over noise.

 

[nkb93]

Ok, just fixed it!

The intake manifold provides plenty of vacuum at idle to suck a ton of bubbles out of the PS reservior. I'm glad I had the catch can, because the froth that churned up under vacuum would have easily gotten into the intake without it.

Now the pump is as silent as it has ever been. Thanks again for yall's input.

-Nate