[diesel600]

When it's cold outside as it has been lately, the power steering pump on my '99 Duratec whines on startup and for the first 30 seconds or so after. I was wondering if anyone else noticed this on their cars, and things I can do to possibly fix it.

 

[mikehawk]

How cold is it when it whines?

 

[diesel600]

I'd say whenever it's below 20 degrees F or so. ANd the car has to be cold too. It usually only does it first thing in the morning.

 

[Rockledge]

Some people, including myself, have had good luck flushing out their old PS fluid and refilling with a good synthetic (I used Mobil1 ATF). Not that difficult to do, nor expensive: Changing Power Steering Fluid

 

[Guest]

my PS pump whines for the first 30 seconds or so when I start up when it's really cold, too. <_<

 

[detroit_raver]

mine does the same thing. but i think it does it in the summer too.

 

[Patrick Norris]

Well I have the mad vulcan power to drown out all annoying ticks and grinds the good old Ford gremlins installed at the factory but I do notice a noise from the accessories when it is cold. I can't tell if it is powersteering or alternator.

A side note. The tranny pump in my 88 Chev Van whines for about 30-60 seconds every first start of the day hot or cold and it is damned annoying.

 

[zeptoplix]

Well at least when your car is extremely cold (-40C) it doesn't turn the powersteering fluid in to a gooey substance that it leaves the resoivoir and leaks all over the pump
that REALLY ticks me off

 

[diesel600]

Originally posted by Patrick Norris@Jan 30 2004, 11:32 PM
Well I have the mad vulcan power to drown out all annoying ticks and grinds the good old Ford gremlins installed at the factory but I do notice a noise from the accessories when it is cold. I can't tell if it is powersteering or alternator.

I wasn't sure at first either, but the way I could tell it was the power steering pump was that the whine goes away if I turn the wheel.

 

[detroit_raver]

Originally posted by dIESEL600@Jan 31 2004, 04:17 AM
I wasn't sure at first either, but the way I could tell it was the power steering pump was that the whine goes away if I turn the wheel.

yup thats exactly what mine does. if i turn it sharp either way it'll make that whining noise. i heard from someone that a lot of ford vehicles do that. not sure if its true, but it sounds like it is in our cars. i just hope it doesn't mean that their is a problem, like the power steering is going or something.

 

[sundarpn]

yup mine has been doing that too, when I turn the wheels.

 

[sundarpn]

the first procuedure mentioned there.. will let a ton of air into the system.

 

[diesel600]

Originally posted by sundarpn@Jan 31 2004, 02:24 PM
the first procuedure mentioned there.. will let a ton of air into the system.

You're right it will, better way is to get someone to help and keep the reservoir topped off while you are flushing.

 

[sundarpn]

Oh I get it. so drain from the PS cooler, keep adding from the res. & also keep moving the wheel lock to lock.. hmmm needs three people

 

[Rockledge]

Originally posted by sundarpn@Jan 31 2004, 03:24 PM
the first procuedure mentioned there..  will let a ton of air into the system.

I agree, too. I should have directed people's attention to the 2nd part of the webpage that has the procedure that I actually used. So that there is no confusion, I'll post it here:

Power Steering Fluid Flush & Fill

1. Suck out most of the fluid in the PS reservoir. (I use an old battery filler that looks a little like a turkey baster);

2. Remove the return hose from the reservoir and plug with a two inch piece of rubber hose with a bolt threaded into the end of it.;

3. Place a long hose (5 feet) using a union onto the return line and run it down into a large bucket;

4. Fill the reservoir with fresh fluid and have a gallon container of cheap PS fluid or cheap ATX fluid ready;

5. Assistant starts the engine and turns the wheels lock to lock (I have the front end jacked up when I do this) while you pour in the gallon of fluid to flush the system;

6. Stop engine and introduce synthetic PS fluid. Assistant runs engine just enough for you to add two quarts of synthetic fluid;

7. Bleed air from system after reconnecting return line with engine running, turning lock to lock.

8. Top off reservoir.

As you can see, you really only need two people to get it done, and it's a very straightforward process.