Power steering fluid for 2003 Saturn L300

[wolfc70]

My 03 L300 has developed a power steering pump whine when cold. The noise lasts for 10-40 seconds depending on how cold it is. The car has 70k miles on it and I think it is time to change the fluid. What GM approved PS fluids would work best? Is going to a synthetic fluid worth it.

The pump has also developed a slight whine when warm at idle, the noise goes away above 1500 rpm. I am thinking the fluid is old, and or some form of cavitation caused air to get trapped in the pump. When you turn against the lock it whines pretty good. It does not sound like a bearing noise, more like when you are low on PS fluid, although the level is correct. I am just hoping the old fluid is bad, as I can never really remember ever having PS pump issues on a GM car. And the pump for this car is expensive.

Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[tig1]

I have use Mobil 1 ATF in PS pumps for many years and have never had a failure. Draw out the fluid with a turkey baster and top off with M1 fluid. do this several times through the week and if no real damage has been done to the pump you may
feel here the whine stop. This fluid works very good in cold and heat in both transmissions and PS pumps.

 

[bepperb]

Assuming it calls for DEX III, M1 is what I also use. But, I have a shampoo bottle pump instead of a turkey baster.

 

[Boomer]

My wife has the exact same car. The PS unit calls for PS fluid, NOT ATF. I have used the Valvoline SemiSyn PS fluid since the first oil change. At each oil change I suck out the resorvoir and replace. This eventually led to a totally clear (transparent) fluid in the system with superb performance and no squeals or leaks.

 

[wolfc70]

Yes, the car needs a GM/Saginaw approved fluid, no ATF, I believe it is a light bodied mineral oil. Any suggestions as to what to run?

 

[mechtech2]

Get new fluid in there.
There is only a minor difference between PS fluid and ATF.
The 'turkey baster' method is cheap, simple, requires no parts to be taken off, and works well.
Use a whole bottle [qt] at first. Start the car after a suck/fill, and move the steering wheel. Stop the engine and repeat. You may do this again in a week of driving, if necessary.

 

[HTSS_TR]

I have Valvoline MaxLife Power Steering Fluid (one without stop leak) in '00 MB E430, the power steering is as quiet as new. I tried several fluids including Mobil 1 ATF, Mercedes-Benz power steering fluid, Preston PSF ... and none stops the noise the car had for several years, until I tried Valvoline MaxLife Power Steering Fluid.