noisy power steering pumped

[ram_man]

My wifes old saturn has had a noisy pump since we bought it 2yrs ago. Sounds like a ford. It makes noise anytime the engine is on. Now when I turn the wheel it groans to. Ive changed the fluid before with no change. The steering seems stiff not like holy cow the pump is dead. But hmm its definetely stiffer than my honda civic. What should I do? Maybe its fine? Maybe its not?

 

[MONKEYMAN]

The power steering pump on my 99 SL2 is very quiet.

 

[ram_man]

My honda is like that to. The saturn however has always been loud and it just does not feel like its working at 100% maybe im used to the civic......

 

[ram_man]

Ive never listened to a Saturn power steering pumps. Is the noise necessarily a bad thing? I know some vehicles (fords) are generally loud.

 

[tig1]

I have owned Fords for a very long time and have never had a noisey PS pump. However I have used Mobil 1 ATF for a long time as well. I would suggest a fluid change to a quality synthetic ATF. I do a turkey baste every oil change, so the fluid always stays fresh.

 

[GreeCguy]

The power steering pump on the world renown "Luv" machine is loud unless I keep the power steering pump filled to the very top. Even though it's well above the "full" mark on the little dip stick, if it's not completely full, it starts to "sing."

(just in case you don't know, "Luv" machine is a 1986 Chevy Astro van).

 

[DragRace]

Originally Posted By: tig1
I have owned Fords for a very long time and have never had a noisey PS pump. However I have used Mobil 1 ATF for a long time as well. I would suggest a fluid change to a quality synthetic ATF. I do a turkey baste every oil change, so the fluid always stays fresh.


x2 I use Mobil's Synthetic ATF in the pS pump on the explorer,whisssper quiet.

 

[default]

Mobil 1 ATF is thicker than most IIRC. They usually start making noise because the pumps internals are worn and scored.

 

[ram_man]

Originally Posted By: default
Mobil 1 ATF is thicker than most IIRC. They usually start making noise because the pumps internals are worn and scored.


If I remeber right last year I did 3 drain and fills and did use mobil 1.

 

[chad8]

Originally Posted By: ram_man
My wifes old saturn has had a noisy pump since we bought it 2yrs ago. Sounds like a ford. It makes noise anytime the engine is on. Now when I turn the wheel it groans to. Ive changed the fluid before with no change. The steering seems stiff not like holy cow the pump is dead. But hmm its definetely stiffer than my honda civic. What should I do? Maybe its fine? Maybe its not?


Amsoil atf has saved at least 3 pumps of mine. They went from stiff and noisy to perfect. Sometimes it takes 3 pump and fills , but it has always worked.

 

[artificialist]

I am not used to hearing loud PS pumps from Saturn S-Series cars. If you made sure there is no air in there, then it sounds like a dying pump.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Originally Posted By: ram_man
Ive never listened to a Saturn power steering pumps. Is the noise necessarily a bad thing? I know some vehicles (fords) are generally loud.


We used to have issues with power steering pumps failing in stationary operations with fleet vehicles. Just doesn't happen anymore.

I like to suck out what I can with a handheld pump at the oil change and refill with synthetic ATF. Some are noisy no matter what, but haven't seen one actually fail since the early 80's.

 

[charbaby]

Originally Posted By: ram_man
My wifes old saturn has had a noisy pump since we bought it 2yrs ago. Sounds like a ford. It makes noise anytime the engine is on. Now when I turn the wheel it groans to. Ive changed the fluid before with no change. The steering seems stiff not like holy cow the pump is dead. But hmm its definetely stiffer than my honda civic. What should I do? Maybe its fine? Maybe its not?


Yes, could be a failing P/S Pump!
I have cured the P/S noise in many GM vehicles simply by using Honda Power Steering Fluid. I believe that the Saturn has a GM P/S unit?

A cheap way to at least try to fix the noise and stiffness is to drain out the existing fluid and add new fluid. The results may take a couple of months to work.

I have had stiff/lack of steering return in an old(my 1st Honda) due to using the wrong P/S fluid. And when I finaly changed back to the Honda Power Steering fluid, the results were almost instant(within a week).

Also, my wifes Lexus has had a very stiff steering for about a year. It's P/S fluid is Dexron ATF. I bought some BAR's LEAK Power Steering Fix(2 part bottle) and...WahLah, in a couple of months, it's like nothing was ever wront

But, the Bar's Leaks took that long to work/fix the stiffness & lack of steering return. So, I believe the Bar's Leaks worked very well. Use the whole bottle! It can be purchaced at Advance Auto Parts or Auto Zone. Not sure about Pep Boys or the other auto parts stores out West/South West(the stores that we don't have here in the North East).