1999 Taurus PS fluid leak and whine

[atikovi]

I replaced a leaking pump last year and it was fine for a while, then it started leaking elsewhere such that I can see and smell the smoke at a stop light as the leaking fluid hits the exhaust somewhere. It’s also whining again. Haven’t been underneath yet to see where it’s coming from, hoses or rack.

I drove it yesterday for the first time in 2 months and the whining was gone, but an hour later it came back. Does that mean the air worked its way out while sitting that long? And if you have a leak to the outside, does that mean you can also have air entering the system? The level in the bottle wasn’t low enough to suck air.

 

[Nick1994]

Is it an A1 Cardone? Or a rebadged A1 Cardone?

I put 2 A1 Cardone’s in my Jeep and they howled like crazy. Had to get one from the dealer.

 

[atikovi]

Motorcraft

 

[JC1]

Did you notice the fluid level in the reservoir going down? I'm guessing one of the hoses is bad. What type of clamps are on the hoses?

 

[atikovi]

Yes I top it up every few days.

 

[AutoMechanic]

I’ve replaced pumps on these many times but if it’s Motorcraft then most likely not a pump again. I’d check the lines. Yes you could have air if there is a hole or something in the hose or line it might be letting air in.

 

[Kestas]

I have a similar model (2001 Sable). Air is hard to get out of these lines. Reportedly these pumps even normally make noise.

 

[sloinker]

I'd whine too if I had to drive a '99 taurus. Is it a rack and pinion car? Check the rack seals if it is. Open the return line into a container and have an assistant turn the steering lock to lock a couple times as you add fluid at a faster rate than return into your bucket. Keep the return line higher than the pump. The sound of whining PS pumps is ubiquitous to the American driving experience nowadays. If it isn't too loud just keep topping off for the next ten years/100,000 miles.

 

[GoldDot40]

What kind of fluid was put back in it? That year model should be using Type F ATF in the power steering unit. The wrong type can make them whine.

 

[GSCJR]

if you have a leak to the outside, does that mean you can also have air entering the system?

Yes, once you find the leak the whine will go away. This model originally used Mercon and then was superceded to Mercon V.

 

[atikovi]

Yes, once you find the leak the whine will go away. This model originally used Mercon and then was superceded to Mercon V.

How is that possible? The fluid is thicker than air. How can air enter when fluid is leaking out?

 

[GSCJR]

When you tell me where the leak is I'll explain it to you further, this has been going on since December.