Power Steering fluid changed-now makes noise?

[2003TRD]

I changed the PS fluid in a 2002 Ford Focus. I did the turkey baster method. Sucked it out, filled it up, started the car turned the wheels side to side then repeated until clear.
Now my wife says she hears a whizzing/buzzing when she turns the wheels while she is driving. She said it functions properly but now makes a noise?? Any ideas what it could be.
Just FYI, the car has 50K miles and the OEM PS fluid was dark brown. Ford recommends only using Mercon ATF. I changed it to Valvoline Synpower Power steering fluid. The bottle says meets Ford Spec M2C128C.

Do you need to bleed power steering systems?
Is Valvoline not compatible? its only been in for a week and she just mentioned it today, Doh!
Should I switch it back over to the Mercon ATF

Is Ford PS and brake fluid normally very dark???

 

[The Critic]

Use Mercon/Mercon-V only in these units as its recommended. Common sense would tell you to switch back to the recommended fluid type if you have issues.

The fluid is dark due to oxidation/contamination, normal and is showing that the fluid may need to be replaced.

The system can be bled by leaving the cap off and turning the wheel from side to side continuously for several minutes, IIRC.

If after bleeding the system (and switching back to the correct fluid) does not solve the problem, add a bottle of Lubegard Power Steering Protectant.

 

[2003TRD]

Ok, will switch back and see what it does. I just wanted to make sure it was before switching it again. So its most likely the fluid type and not a "bleeding" issue. Wonder why Valv says its spec'd for Ford.

 

[The Critic]

I'm not saying that its either one, as I do not know for sure.

However, bleed the system first, then switch the fluid. It only seems logical that way to me.

Valvoline's fluid may meet M2C128C (whatever that is), but unless the manual says M2C128C is the correct spec for the power steering system, then it wasn't the correct fluid. And I have no clue what M2C128C is, btw, it could be Mercon, I do now know.

 

[unDummy]

Its not a bleeding issue. You did the siphon/refill method. That doesn't cause bleeding issues common to the 'line removal' method.

If the fluid is topped off, your pump probably doesn't like it. Switch to a synthetic ATF.

Or, siphon a little and toss in a bottle of Lubegard PSF protectant.

 

[gtx510]

Seems like Synpower should be able to replace regular old Mercon.

You're not low on fluid are you?

 

[V1]

Sounds like the problem is that you're using "power steering fluid" instead of "ATF." They are two separate products. If the Valvoline Synpower you bought says "power steering fluid," then it's probably the wrong application.

 

[kgb007stb]

I do not see how the turkey method should cause whizzing/buzzing. I had the same thing happen to me but on a full system flush. What I learned is that after turning on the engine there were too many bubbles in the system and thus the whizzing/buzzing. I could recommend two options from my experience, one is to start the engine and turn the wheels to either left lock or right lock for say a half a minute. What this does is open the power assist valve which will cause the fluid to run thought your system and expunge any air bubbles present. The second is to jack up the car and with the engine off, turn the wheels from left lock to right lock as fast as you can. What this does is push the fluid through the system expunging all the air bubbles. If these two procedures do not help, then you may have used a wrong type of a fluid or fluid that is not compatible with your PS pump.

 

[deepsquat]

I just used trhe turket baster method on my 91 corvette..but I made sure not to drain it to the bottom of the resivor..didn't want to risk bubbles..did the same to the master cyclinder .

 

[Steelhead]

air in system now...will take weeks to bleed out on own...turkey baster squirtmethod adds air to fluid.
best to start over and do full system flush via dropping off the return line into drain pan, running engine in short 30 second runs and keeping reservior full...turn wheel stop to stop...takes 2 people
put at least 3 quarts thru system...top line syn ATF, Mobil 1 Amsoil Redline d4 etc