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View Full Version : Power steering or rack? diagnosis


JoeDellio
08-26-2009, 09:31 PM
PS has been fine, no problems. I just dropped in a new engine, all I did was unbolt the PS pump and put it to the side during the install, never touched it again until putting it back on.

I started up my car and noticed a nice amount of fluid had been forced out through the cap and was leaking all over. I checked the level and it was still full, but def not ATF. Its a greyish color.

The pump whines at idle and throughout the RPM range, but more noticeable under 4k. Its also noisy as hell when turning, harder to turn, and seems to bog the engine down more when turning at idle.

Im gonna empty it and fill it with ATF for a shot, but does this sound like a pump problem or a rack? Its never given me a problem before.
ChrisM011
08-27-2009, 02:03 AM
Definitely empty and refill with clean fluid. Use new crush washers when you reconnect. Likely just the pump/fluid. Your fluid sounds very old. Report back and let us know how it works. Oh, and make sure you properly bleed the system!
JoeDellio
08-27-2009, 06:09 PM
I flushed out the old crap and put some new ATF in. The noise isnt as loud, but still there. It sounds like crap when I rev the engine though, whining and what not.

As far as bleeding, I thought you just left the cap off and turn the wheel all the way to the left and right a couple times with the car running?
ross1
08-27-2009, 06:54 PM
The whine is the pump cavitating. Either low fluid or air in the fluid. Foam in the resevoir? Check for a leak on the suction side where it could be sucking air.
If the pump was okay before it must be air.
JoeDellio
08-27-2009, 10:24 PM
The whine is the pump cavitating. Either low fluid or air in the fluid. Foam in the resevoir? Check for a leak on the suction side where it could be sucking air.
If the pump was okay before it must be air.

Fluid does look a little foamy. Which side is the suction side, and do you mean on the bottom of the resevoir? The press on clamps on the rack side dont look like I can do anything with them.
ChrisM011
09-02-2009, 12:31 AM
You will want to turn the wheel lock-to-lock 5-10 times with the engine OFF. Then you should be able to place the cap, turn the engine on and do the same thing with the engine running. Check the level to make sure you are still between the lines.