Power Steering Pump whine
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Overland Park Kansas
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Power Steering Pump whine
After redoing the motor, my PS pump is whining. Of course, I pulled and drained it completely while the car was down. I filled it with cheap-azz PS fluid from O'Reilly's.
After a search,,,here's my choices/questions:
Who thinks its:
1) A problem created because I didn't perform 20 lock-to-lock turns to bleed the system (while it was still in the air).
2) Cheap fluid needs upgraded to GM/Valvoline synthetic
3) Something an additive like Lucas can fix
4) Need to fill reservoir higher
5) Other
The pump seems a hair louder after warm-up. Even the slighest turning creates some whine. It was fine before disassembly (e.g., no noise). It has 58k miles. I can't remember if I ever swapped the fluid so it may have been 21-yr-old fluid before the 383 project.
After a search,,,here's my choices/questions:
Who thinks its:
1) A problem created because I didn't perform 20 lock-to-lock turns to bleed the system (while it was still in the air).
2) Cheap fluid needs upgraded to GM/Valvoline synthetic
3) Something an additive like Lucas can fix
4) Need to fill reservoir higher
5) Other
The pump seems a hair louder after warm-up. Even the slighest turning creates some whine. It was fine before disassembly (e.g., no noise). It has 58k miles. I can't remember if I ever swapped the fluid so it may have been 21-yr-old fluid before the 383 project.
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
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From: Chewelah Wa
I would start with the easiest first.....fill reservoir. My car sat for 8 years, after the rebuild <my compliments to yours BTW>, I had a similar whine to my PS, and had to top the fluid off a couple of times over several days until it went away. I used the cheap stuff, also.
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
NCM Member '09
The new (cheap) fluid will make an excellent flush. Don't run it too long, get a good synthetic fluid, and add ATP AT213 to it, and make sure there is no air in the system. I'm not a believer in additives, but I'm a amazed at what this AT213 does, and I've seen it work it's magic in many cars and trucks. I sell the Lucas, and it's decent, but the ATP snake-oil is far superior, IMHO. 
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Flushing the system is the first step, especially if you got some air in the system. You can remove the return hose that sends fluid back into the reservoir and extend it into a can or bucket. Start the engine and begin pouring in cheap PS fluid as a friend slowly turns the steering wheel lock to lock. Keep the fluid level in the reservoir full as the wheel is turned. When you see clear fluid coming out, change to a good synthetic PS fluid and flush out the cheap stuff.
I use Redline synthetic PS fluid in my 87. At a track day last year the pump was howling pretty loud and it was due to excessive heat from high RPM. I added a universal power steering cooler (Perma-cool from Summit Racing for about $35) and now the (original) pump is quiet.
I use Redline synthetic PS fluid in my 87. At a track day last year the pump was howling pretty loud and it was due to excessive heat from high RPM. I added a universal power steering cooler (Perma-cool from Summit Racing for about $35) and now the (original) pump is quiet.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
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Flushing the system is the first step, especially if you got some air in the system. You can remove the return hose that sends fluid back into the reservoir and extend it into a can or bucket. Start the engine and begin pouring in cheap PS fluid as a friend slowly turns the steering wheel lock to lock. Keep the fluid level in the reservoir full as the wheel is turned. When you see clear fluid coming out, change to a good synthetic PS fluid and flush out the cheap stuff.
Thanks for the recommendation. I'll call them and see if it's available locally.
Thread Starter
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From: Overland Park Kansas
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It doesn't even claim to stop noise on the bottle. (If it did, I have to wonder if it's raising viscosity.)
Thread Starter
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From: Overland Park Kansas
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Oh yeah....
Can old fluid be drained dry w/o removing the pump? If the car is running (pump is running) would running it dry burn up the pump?
Can old fluid be drained dry w/o removing the pump? If the car is running (pump is running) would running it dry burn up the pump?
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Brett Foote
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Wouldnt run it totally dry. If theres a slight whine afterwards and the car drives fine I wouldnt worry about it. Mine used to and never gave me an issue. Get some fresh stuff in there and drive it.
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From: Overland Park Kansas
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Funny how no one gets that I've already changed the fluid and put fresh stuff in there. That's what's apparently causing the whine!
When I had the motor out, I pulled the PS pulley, removed the pump, drained it, masked it, painted it (silver), and reinstalled it with fresh fluid. I couldn't have gotten it any more purged of old fluid!!!!!
When I had the motor out, I pulled the PS pulley, removed the pump, drained it, masked it, painted it (silver), and reinstalled it with fresh fluid. I couldn't have gotten it any more purged of old fluid!!!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Wallingford Vermont
My guess is the pump took a little too much time to bleed and suffered. I have the same issue with my Jeep TJ that had a box leak for a few weeks unitl I fixed it. That pump has a little whine to it now 
If you find an additvie that works let me know..
If you find an additvie that works let me know..
Thread Starter
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From: Overland Park Kansas
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I wonder if I never changed the fluid or only sucked out part of it once during it's whole life. Then, like an auto transmission that's NEVER had it's fluid changed until 100k miles, it's not "used to" normal flowing/viscosity fluid. IOW, it's worn and whines with good/new fluid. (And, may not have had I left the old stuff in.)
Guess I'll try Lucas first,,,then a synthetic if that doesn't help.
Guess I'll try Lucas first,,,then a synthetic if that doesn't help.
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From: Overland Park Kansas
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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I flushed the old fluid out of mine by using a turkey baster while getting a helper to turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock with the engine running. Then, I filled the reservoir with synthetic PS fluid (Valvoline at the time). No more pump whine and moan.
Thread Starter
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From: Overland Park Kansas
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Thinner/better fluid makes more sense. OTOH, running a seal conditioner thru for a short-bit probably won't hurt mine. Despite the low 58k mileage, it's still 21yrs-old!
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Yeah....Though the Lucas stuff cured the whine, I have to wonder about adding a thicker additive to our "suspect" steering racks. Your method is/was probably the better approach. In a couple of weeks, I'll probably start sucking-out (and replacing) what's in there with Valvoline synthetic.
Thinner/better fluid makes more sense. OTOH, running a seal conditioner thru for a short-bit probably won't hurt mine. Despite the low 58k mileage, it's still 21yrs-old!
Thinner/better fluid makes more sense. OTOH, running a seal conditioner thru for a short-bit probably won't hurt mine. Despite the low 58k mileage, it's still 21yrs-old!
