Power steering problem

[Patman]

This new forum has such perfect timing, I've got a question that I was going to post today and didn't quite know where to put it.

The last couple of mornings here when it has been 20F or colder (it was 17F this morning) my power steering has been feeling strange, it's extremely tight on that very first turn, like there is no power steering at all, but then the rest of the time it's fine.

Could this be a sign that the pump is going out? The fluid in there was changed last year, so it's not like it's 8 years old or anything. I bought some Valvoline synthetic blend power steering fluid, do you think this will help? (STP fluid is in there now)

 

[dragboat]

It is very difficult to remove all the power steering fluid at one time,,much remains in the gear box and hoses and it sounds as if you have a valve sticking in the gear box.

If you could find a 2 oz syringe from a Farm Feed store used to dose Cattle with Meds to attach a fuel hose to you could draw it out of the pump and replenish every weekend for say 5 weeks in a row and get all fresh fluid in it.

Too bad you do not have any Synergyn additive or 131 Neutra. The Neutra for cleaning the system and the Synergyn for staying power after it's cleaned up.

Power steeing fluid along with bleeding brake fluid to remove water and introduce fresh fluid are one of the most negleted fluids on a car in terms of being replaced every once in awhile

[ December 01, 2002, 08:03 PM: Message edited by: dragboat ]

 

[Patman]

I use an old (unused) antifreeze tester for changing my power steering fluid. I simply suck out as much old fluid as I can, then top it up. If I do this two weeks in a row that should get rid of 95% of the fluid in the system I figure.

If it weren't so dang cold out here today (17-20F most of the day, plus it was windy too!) I would have done it already.

 

[MolaKule]

Patman,

I have the same happening on two of my vehicles. I believe it to be the cold, viscous fluid is just beginning to circulate and warm up.

I use a synthetic ATF in my steering pump for the '92 Burb and in one case, use Schaeffer's 204S for the Nissan. I really can't tell any difference in the cold weather performance among either fluid.

 

[MolaKule]

Patman,

I use the same luid removal procedure as does Dragboat, except I use 60 cc medical syringes with 6" poly tubing.

 

[RobZ71LM7]

I switched my '94 LT1 Camaro over to Valvoline Maxlife PSF via a complete flush and have had no problems with the power steering at all. I'm willing to bet that STP stuff is really ATF. Some PSF's are based on ATF-GM's isn't. I disconnected the return line on the reservoir and hooked it up to a few feet of 3/8" tubing and ran that to a bucket and plugged the bottom of the reservoir. Then you need someone to fill the tank all the way to the top and add fluid as you idle the engine. Only run the engine 2 seconds at a time it will drain the reservoir FAST! I made 20+ autocross runs on this fluid in a couple hours (many back to back) and it still looks new. Whether it's better than Valvoline's regular psf aka Pyroil I don't know. I plan on adding a cooler and maybe redline fluid for road racing.

 

[Patman]

This morning wasn't as cold out (about 25F) and the steering was fine, but tomorrow will be the true test, as it's only going to be about 3-5F! BRRR!!

 

[MolaKule]

Patman,

We too! Wish you would keep those cold fronts behind "the fence!"

 

[Dick in Falls Church]

Patman-
in older GM vehicles it was a no-cost option, generally referred to as "morning sickness".

Cause was seals which were harder than the aluminum tubing--the tubing would wear, and fluid would seep by until the system warmed just a bit.
Haven't heard that much about it lately, so expect GM finally fixed it. The aftermarket remanufactured replacements had stainless sleeves at the weak point.

 

[Patman]

I do remember hearing it called the morning sickness, but I too thought that problem had been solved, and I don't know any other of my f-body friends who have this problem (mind you most of them store their cars at the first sign of cold weather)

I remember my father's 1985 Pontiac 6000 STE had bad morning sickness in the PS too now that I think about it.

 

[Patman]

It was only 2 degrees out this morning and the steering was extremely hard to turn on the first turn out of my driveway. It loosened up to normal within 30 seconds though, by the time I had to make my next turn it was fine. Maybe I'm worrying over nothing?

 

[BOBISTHEOILGUY]

Patman,

My suggestion if it was me would to do this...

As many never change or service p/s pumps, they will get varnished up and eventually cause problems such as your experiencing. I myself had a slight noise coming from mine prior to me going on my trip up north so this is what I did.

I stuck approx 4-6 ounces of neutra 131 in the p/s box, ran it for a week. It was an immediate result of no more noise. I then siphoned some fluid back out and replaced with some new fluid. So far, no more noise. I'd highly suggest getting some neutra out and try it. It is only going to get worse if corrective action isn't taken. What can happen is several things, either it becomes hard to steer due to the pump blowing out, creates a leak due to some excessive pressure built up where it may have a slightly cloged line causing you to blow a seal or hose,or over heat the pump. I'm sure there is more that can be added to this list but main thing is, little problems don't just go away but become bigger problems down the line if not looked at before.

 

[Patman]

That Neutra sure has a lot of uses!

I'm going to be placing a Schaeffer order pretty soon for another case of 10w30 blend, and I was planning on ordering a case of Neutra while I'm at it too.

Do you know if the new Schaeffer guy from BC is back home from his trip yet?

 

[BOBISTHEOILGUY]

He gets back today and was on one of those carnival ships, wonder if he got sick like alot of others?

 

[carl97ss]

Patman, I use an ol' turkey baster to remove fluid from my P/s fluid. Our system holds @ 20oz. I use Redline P/S fluid and it worked fine at -22F one morning. I like Bob's idea to remove any varnish first if you have any. Royal Purple has a synthetic P/S fluid that I found to be thicker when removed from the freezer

vs. Redline.

 

[Terry]

Auto-Rx can be used in power steering units but I'm not sure of the amount recommended. Good for seals too.

Lube Control at 1/2 oz will also clean the varnish up.

I forgot, the older Synergyn additive was wonderful in leaky systems for stopping/slowing leaks, especially in road race cars that get the steering exercised vigorously.

[ December 03, 2002, 10:33 PM: Message edited by: Terry ]

 

[widman]

You could always move south. We don't allow the temp to get that low.
Our problems are in the heat when the pump gets a little warm. We usually replace the fluid with a tractor hydraulic fluid for higher viscosity.
My method for changing fluid is disconnect one of the hoses and let it pump out while adding the
fresh fluid. Just like the ATF. Complete flush.

 

[OneQuartLow]

Patman, if morning sickness I thought that was more of an issue with aluminum racks?

I'm assuming your belt's tight?

David

 

[RobZ71LM7]

GM has a cold climate psf that they sell in addition to the regular stuff-but I bet in canada the cold weather formula is all they sell.

 

[sprintman]

Patman
Try Redline PSF. Also if you have any leaks Lucas power steering stop leak seems good and many shops here use it. I have it in my Mazda, no more seepage.