Powersteering Noise

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c3po

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I took my 04 Mercury Marauder out last night and it was 5 degrees out.

When I started the car up it was fine, guess that Amsoil 0W-20 is good stuff.

But the steering wheel was a little hard to turn for a second or so and it made a whine sound. I have Mercon transmission fluid which is speced for the powersteering. I got on the net and Mercon has a pour point of -49 degrees.

I know that Amsoil ATF has a lower pour point, would it be a good idea to put the Amsoil ATF in there in the spring when it gets warmer, or with temps in the single numbers do all powersteering units make noise, maybe they do not like cold weather.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.
 
I've noticed that a lot of domestics make noise in the winter. It's nothing to worry about and is considered normal. Put synthetic into the unit in the summer for extra protection next winter.
 
Originally Posted By: Spartuss
I've noticed that a lot of domestics make noise in the winter. It's nothing to worry about and is considered normal. Put synthetic into the unit in the summer for extra protection next winter.


I guess that's the way domestics are, and when I put in the Amsoil ATF in the powersteering and it does the same thing then this will be considered normal.
 
I had this problem with my Hyundai so I switched out the Power Steering fluid for Amsoil ATF, and it still did it. I then swapped that out for Amsoil Power Steering Fluid and it's great. Smooth as silk even at -10oF
 
Well why not try changing it out now. You could do a quick flush too.

I put a magnifine on my Taurus. The Amsoil ATF is pretty stout stuff.
thumbsup2.gif
 
Originally Posted By: oilboy123
Well why not try changing it out now. You could do a quick flush too.

I put a magnifine on my Taurus. The Amsoil ATF is pretty stout stuff.
thumbsup2.gif



How hard was it to put a Magnefine on your Taurus, have you cut it apart to see if it caught anything.
 
After living with the power sterring whine in cold (below zero F) on every Ford vehicle I've owned, and never once ever replacing any component of the power steering system, even on vehicles with 200,000 miles, I'd just leave it alone and live with it. A "problem" that doesn't need a solution.
 
The power steering whine is the pumps struggling to push near-gelled hydraulic fluid, and the squeal of the belt which is moving more quickly than the shaft.

Synthetic PSF should fix both.
 
My car is speced for Mercon which Amsoil ATF meets, so I would not be able to use Amsoil Powersteering Fluid, right, or am I wrong.
 
Amsoil Power-Steering fluid claims to meet all Power-steering fluid specifications out there, whether spec'ed for ATF or not.

My Hyundai is spec'ed for the same as yours is and I have put the Amsoil in it and it works great...
 
Originally Posted By: StevieC
Amsoil Power-Steering fluid claims to meet all Power-steering fluid specifications out there, whether spec'ed for ATF or not.

My Hyundai is spec'ed for the same as yours is and I have put the Amsoil in it and it works great...

Sounds like a plan and thanks for the advice.
 
Glad I could help... Trust me the Amsoil stuff is good stuff... I had my dad help me put it in. He would pour it into the reservoir while the return host was in a bucket... This way I replaced all 100% of the power steering fluid.

Smooth as silk at -10oF so far...

10.gif
 
Redline also makes a synthetic PSF that meets most PSF specifications, and says that it replaces Dexron/Mercon and Type F in PS systems that use it
 
c3po,
Here is link to a picture of the magnefine installed on my windstar power steering system.
I have a factory "cooler" that is in front of the radiator....and I put the filter in one of the lines for that.
I bought a extra length of high quality hose to make the length such that I could secure it as shown.
Nothing hangs down.
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1334942382011220610PicgSc

Also, Here is a link to the first of 4 pictures showing the opening and contents of the magnefine filter.
You can see that the "inlet" end of the magnefine filter unscrews....so it is really easy to see inside.
This is the one for my transmission, and had not been on for long.
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2014962520011220610RLvddU

For fluid, if your unit calls for ATF, Mobil 1, Amsoil, and the Redline PSF are 3 of a number of good choices.
I would go with a synthetic for improved cold flow and heat tolerance.
Flushing the power steering fluid has been known to completely remove the anoying whine......may or may not help in your case, but a good thing to do.

I have the Redline PSF in mine.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: wiswind
c3po,
Here is link to a picture of the magnefine installed on my windstar power steering system.
I have a factory "cooler" that is in front of the radiator....and I put the filter in one of the lines for that.
I bought a extra length of high quality hose to make the length such that I could secure it as shown.
Nothing hangs down.
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1334942382011220610PicgSc

Also, Here is a link to the first of 4 pictures showing the opening and contents of the magnefine filter.
You can see that the "inlet" end of the magnefine filter unscrews....so it is really easy to see inside.
This is the one for my transmission, and had not been on for long.
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2014962520011220610RLvddU

For fluid, if your unit calls for ATF, Mobil 1, Amsoil, and the Redline PSF are 3 of a number of good choices.
I would go with a synthetic for improved cold flow and heat tolerance.
Flushing the power steering fluid has been known to completely remove the anoying whine......may or may not help in your case, but a good thing to do.

I have the Redline PSF in mine.


Thanks for the pictures, how long do you plan on keeping the Magnefine on before changing it.

I plan on changing this fluid out this summer when I hit 30,000 miles on the Marauder.

I am using the Redline PSF in my 1983 Chevrolet El Camino, no noises, no complaints.
 
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