Power steering pump wine
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 536
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From: Bardstown Kentucky
Power steering pump wine
I decided to drive the car to work this morning. It has been sitting for about a month.
It was really cold around 28 degrees this morning when I fired it up. Instantly I heard this loud wining sound coming from the power stearing pump. I shut the car off and checked the fluid and it was full. I started the car again and this time I turned the wheel a few times and it got louder, I also started to smell rubber burning like the belt was slipping. I let it run a little until it warmed up, and the noise finally went away. Anybody ever have any problems with the PS pump or have to change one? My guess is the car may have had one put on in the past and they didn’t prime the pump like they were suppose to.
96 LT4
46,000 miles
It was really cold around 28 degrees this morning when I fired it up. Instantly I heard this loud wining sound coming from the power stearing pump. I shut the car off and checked the fluid and it was full. I started the car again and this time I turned the wheel a few times and it got louder, I also started to smell rubber burning like the belt was slipping. I let it run a little until it warmed up, and the noise finally went away. Anybody ever have any problems with the PS pump or have to change one? My guess is the car may have had one put on in the past and they didn’t prime the pump like they were suppose to.
96 LT4
46,000 miles
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 447
Likes: 0
From: Titletown WI
Change the fluid, then try again. To change my fluid I put a short length of hose on the return at the tank, and pointed it up so the tank couldn't drain. I then routed the return from the rack to a drain pail. With the car on jack stands, wheels in air, you turn the wheel back and forth(slow, smooth, lock to lock), engine off, and it pumps the old fluid out. If you keep the reservoir topped off, you just keep going till fresh fluid is coming out. kinda just like brakes.On the plus side, if the pump is bad, they are normally inexpensive and easy to change. I changed one on my LT1 f-body, but it turned out it wasn't bad in the first place, still, it helped me track down the problem and it was cheap troubleshooting. If you do change it, the one special tool you must rent(usually its free at autozone, just pay a deposit) is the power steering pulley puller. Other than that, its pretty straightforward.
HTH, »keith
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 10
From: Montrose Colorado
I would recommend changing to synthetic power steering fluid. When the temp. drops to 0 degrees around here all the power steering units seem to moan and groan for about 30 seconds, even on brand new vehicles "Fords seem to be the worst." The synthetic fluid seems to cure the problem assuming the unit is in good mechanical shape to begin with. 91 ZR1 #2039
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 536
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From: Bardstown Kentucky
Originally Posted by vettl83
I would recommend changing to synthetic power steering fluid. When the temp. drops to 0 degrees around here all the power steering units seem to moan and groan for about 30 seconds, even on brand new vehicles "Fords seem to be the worst." The synthetic fluid seems to cure the problem assuming the unit is in good mechanical shape to begin with. 91 ZR1 #2039
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 10
From: Montrose Colorado
Get in touch with Red Line Oil at www.redlineoil.com if they don't have a dealership in your neck of the woods they will ship to you direct. 91 ZR1 #2039
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by 96_LT4_FE1
With the car on jack stands, wheels in air, you turn the wheel back and forth(slow, smooth, lock to lock), engine off, and it pumps the old fluid out. If you keep the reservoir topped off, you just keep going till fresh fluid is coming out. kinda just like brakes.
RACE ON!!!
Last edited by CFI-EFI; Dec 17, 2005 at 12:18 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
I use synthetic fluid and have the same problem. Really cold or really hot fluid and it whines. PS cooler didn't seem to help any.
I'm gonna try a new pump.
I'm gonna try a new pump.
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Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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Change the fluid and replace with Lucas Power Steering Stop Leak and Conditioner. That'll blunt C4 morning sickness every time.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,471
Likes: 2
From: 1993 Quasar Blue 'vert Scottsdale AZ
Originally Posted by onedef92
Change the fluid and replace with Lucas Power Steering Stop Leak and Conditioner. That'll blunt C4 morning sickness every time.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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Originally Posted by Lichen
You or another forum member suggested that a few weeks ago. I put some in and it helped a lot.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 13
From: Edmonton AB
Member 'superlund' mentioned GM's "Cold Climate" fluid (PN 12345867)
once when posting about a different topic over in Autocross & Racing.
28ºF is not cold for some folks. Neighbors to the east of me are coping
with temps dipping to -49ºF today.
Pump noise on startup is not something to be alarmed at in these parts,
certainly not a sign of impending pump failure in my books. The whine
is a familiar sound on cold days here and I do not know of ANY instance
of average folks having to change out a pump over the lifetime of a
vehicle. C4's tend to be parked here in the winter but the same pump
was/is used in other, more pedestrian GM products.
Changing the fluid wouldn't hurt. The racers seem to use the Cold
Climate fluid under hot, extreme conditions so I suppose you could
leave it in year round. Further investigation could give you more
opinions/information about that aspect.
.
once when posting about a different topic over in Autocross & Racing.
28ºF is not cold for some folks. Neighbors to the east of me are coping
with temps dipping to -49ºF today.
Pump noise on startup is not something to be alarmed at in these parts,
certainly not a sign of impending pump failure in my books. The whine
is a familiar sound on cold days here and I do not know of ANY instance
of average folks having to change out a pump over the lifetime of a
vehicle. C4's tend to be parked here in the winter but the same pump
was/is used in other, more pedestrian GM products.
Changing the fluid wouldn't hurt. The racers seem to use the Cold
Climate fluid under hot, extreme conditions so I suppose you could
leave it in year round. Further investigation could give you more
opinions/information about that aspect.
.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 6
From: Tampa Florida
Another possibility is a frozen pulley.
My car sat over the winter and when I started it I had the idler pulley freeze with the serpentine belt rub over the plastic surface. It rubbed to the point the pulley got a flat spot on it.
I didn't notice it right off as the pulley eventually 'broke free' and rotated...but it was funny to see-'heh that pulley looks odd!'
My car sat over the winter and when I started it I had the idler pulley freeze with the serpentine belt rub over the plastic surface. It rubbed to the point the pulley got a flat spot on it.
I didn't notice it right off as the pulley eventually 'broke free' and rotated...but it was funny to see-'heh that pulley looks odd!'
