My 01 Sable with Duratec engine recently started making a squeal when it is very cold out. Once the car warms up after a 1/2 mile or so it goes away. I sucked some of the PS fluid out and tried the Royal Purple but it has not improved may even be slightly worse. Is this a sign of the PS pump going bad? Any thoughts on making this better?
Power Steering squeal when cold
- Thread starter spk2000
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Fluid is too thick for the cold P.S. pump. Several drain and fills with low viscosity MaxLife synthetic ATF should make a nice difference. Cost is less than 1/2 of RP .... $16.97 per gallon at Walmart. Wouldn't hurt to inspect or replace your accessory belts as well.
I would add some SeaFoam and run a few days, then pump it all out and replace w/full synthetic atf, like MaxLife or others. I had this issue with a 98 Acura and that cleared it right up. Here is a simple guide to pumping it clean instead of fractionally diluting your old dirty fluid:
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/107-ca...ice-needed.html
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/107-ca...ice-needed.html
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Originally Posted By: mclasser
Originally Posted By: Kuato
Originally Posted By: Leo99
Inspect your PS belt/serpentine belt and make sure all is well there and the belt is not slipping.
^this.
+2
I've never heard a PS pump squeal. Check your belt.
Originally Posted By: Kuato
Originally Posted By: Leo99
Inspect your PS belt/serpentine belt and make sure all is well there and the belt is not slipping.
^this.
+2
I've never heard a PS pump squeal. Check your belt.
Originally Posted By: bvance554
Originally Posted By: mclasser
Originally Posted By: Kuato
Originally Posted By: Leo99
Inspect your PS belt/serpentine belt and make sure all is well there and the belt is not slipping.
^this.
+2
I've never heard a PS pump squeal. Check your belt.
While indeed the belt can be the source of "squeal," the vane pump and gearing can make a groaning noise on it's own independent of a good belt and tension.
Originally Posted By: mclasser
Originally Posted By: Kuato
Originally Posted By: Leo99
Inspect your PS belt/serpentine belt and make sure all is well there and the belt is not slipping.
^this.
+2
I've never heard a PS pump squeal. Check your belt.
While indeed the belt can be the source of "squeal," the vane pump and gearing can make a groaning noise on it's own independent of a good belt and tension.
The fact that Royal Purple didn't fix the problem shows that their is something mechanically wrong as opposed to a lubricant problem. The previous recommendations of checking your belt and pulley are good ideas, but your PS pump may just be going bad. Yes, power steering pumps do wear out over time. Your vehicle is 14 years old. That is almost two decades of wear. It may be time for a new pump. Dont worry too much, they are definetely not that expensive to replace. You can get them on Rock auto for less than $100.
I changed out a power steering pump on an older Sable and needed to borrow a tool from the auto store, a power steering pump pulley puller was needed. It was pretty easy to change with the right tool.
You used to hear a lot of cars with that power steering squeal due to slipping belts 20 years ago.
You used to hear a lot of cars with that power steering squeal due to slipping belts 20 years ago.
Originally Posted By: Whitewolf
Try something with better low temperature performance such as Pentosin CHF 202.
Great fluid but it does not blend well with other PS fluids.
Try something with better low temperature performance such as Pentosin CHF 202.
Great fluid but it does not blend well with other PS fluids.
Originally Posted By: jk_636
The fact that Royal Purple didn't fix the problem shows that their is something mechanically wrong as opposed to a lubricant problem. The previous recommendations of checking your belt and pulley are good ideas, but your PS pump may just be going bad. Yes, power steering pumps do wear out over time. Your vehicle is 14 years old. That is almost two decades of wear. It may be time for a new pump. Dont worry too much, they are definetely not that expensive to replace. You can get them on Rock auto for less than $100.
What kind of rebuilt pump do you get for $100?
I'm used to getting ones that are carelessly painted, and fail in 1 year.
The fact that Royal Purple didn't fix the problem shows that their is something mechanically wrong as opposed to a lubricant problem. The previous recommendations of checking your belt and pulley are good ideas, but your PS pump may just be going bad. Yes, power steering pumps do wear out over time. Your vehicle is 14 years old. That is almost two decades of wear. It may be time for a new pump. Dont worry too much, they are definetely not that expensive to replace. You can get them on Rock auto for less than $100.
What kind of rebuilt pump do you get for $100?
I'm used to getting ones that are carelessly painted, and fail in 1 year.
Have an '03 Sable, so assuming it's the same, mine called for Ford/Mecury ATF fluid. Not sure how the Royal Purple is related to Mecron ATF. BTW, you can change that belt with a kitchen towel as your only tool.
Originally Posted By: ragtoplvr
Use the recommended fluid. DO NOT go making some strange brew and cause more problems.
Probably a worn serpentine belt and/or bad tensioner.
Rod
You are right, no strange brew. It probably is, at least in part, the belt, but a couple of weeks ago ours did it too when we got -30C! I suggested CHF 202 because the BV@-40C of that fluid is just around 1,400cP so it would alleviate the kind of problem described. It is used as PSF by such as GM, Ford, Porsche, and a number of others. Before anyone asks, no I am not selling it, I just know about it.
Use the recommended fluid. DO NOT go making some strange brew and cause more problems.
Probably a worn serpentine belt and/or bad tensioner.
Rod
You are right, no strange brew. It probably is, at least in part, the belt, but a couple of weeks ago ours did it too when we got -30C! I suggested CHF 202 because the BV@-40C of that fluid is just around 1,400cP so it would alleviate the kind of problem described. It is used as PSF by such as GM, Ford, Porsche, and a number of others. Before anyone asks, no I am not selling it, I just know about it.
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