Topic: New power steering pump really noisy

[Lu]

95 Wrangler

I just installed a new power steering pump and it's making this weird buzzing/whining noise that get louder as he engine warms up.  When the engine is warmed up, I can hear the buzz/whine over the noise of the road and the exhaust.  The noise is worst after I've been idling.  The longer I wait, the louder it will be when I start going.  It's worst after idling and then turning, like at a left turn light.  It seems to working just fine but is really noisy.  Any ideas?

[jfrabat]

Are you sure there is no air in the system?  You mentioned you just installed the pump...

[Lu]

Fairly sure.  The instructions said to bleed the system by turning the wheels back and forth while idling and that would remove the air.  You think there's still air?

[jfrabat]

Air in the system can be a cause for noise...  Other causes (in my experience, which is not much, by the way) are the wrong fluid, too much heat/Pressure (as when you turn the wheel all the way to the stop and try to force it to turn more), and a pump on its last leg (which I dont think would apply to your case, since you just replaced it).

[Jeffy]

If it's not the pump itself, then maybe it's the belt?  Have you tried taking a long screwdriver and listening for the noise?

[Lu]

Well the fluid I put in was power steering pump fluid and it doesn't sound like what I think belt noise is like, but I'll check.  Will air work itself out eventually or should try bleeding it again?

Jeffy, I'll be honest and say I don't know the long screwdriver trick...

[Jeffy]

Use a long screwdriver, wooden dowel or other rod and press it against the PS pump and put your ear to the other side.  You should be able to hear where the noise is coming from.  Move it around on the housing to get a better listen.  Just make sure you stay away from the pulley.

[stubbyj]

I understand my example is not a jeep, but my PT cruiser did the same thing.  It turned out to be air in the lines.  Just sitting the air would settle out into high spots in the piping.  As the pump ran it would mix the air into the fluid and become much louder.  Eventually my high pressure line exploded due to over heating.  It destroyed the pump, all my belts, and the pulley.  Chrysler's remedy is a special tool to evacuate the power steering system.  Your remedy might be different, but it sounds like the same problem.

[Lu]

Today I noticed that the fluid in the reservoir was a little frothy indicating that I probably have excessive air in the lines.  So how, like stubbyj said, do I get rid of the air? On a jeep though

[jfrabat]

The only may I know of is flushing the system...  But it's not guaranteed to get rid of all the air.

[Dylan]

Service the reseervior to the proper fill mark, jack up the front end so the wheels are off the ground, start the engine and slowly cycle the steering all the way from lock to lock at least 20 times.  Refill the reservior with the engine off as needed.  Lower the front end to the ground and repeat as before.  If your fluid becomes frothy, let is sit for a few minutes to settle before servicing and repeating the slow lock to lock cycling again.

[Lu]

Found a leak.  I've been so occupied with the pump itself that I failed to check the rest of the hoses.  There is a leak in the high pressure line right before the steering box.  I think that explains the excess air which would explain the noise.  So I've got to get a new assembly for that and the problem should be fixed.

[jfrabat]

let us know how it turns out...

[Lu]

Well, it didn't turn out as I'd hoped.  The noise is still there, and there is still a leak somewhere else now.  I warmed it up today to try and find out where the leak was coming from, and noticed power steering fluid all over the underside of the intake manifold suggesting that the fluid is squirting out from somewhere.  Pretty sure it isn't any of the hoses as they were cleaned off yesterday to see where the leak is coming from.  But, the back and underbelly of the pump itself is covered in fluid.  I'll admit that I'm not too familiar with the workings of the power steering pump.  Is there somewhere on the back or underside of the pump that could leak?  And if so, what caused it, a faulty replacement pump or something?  It's  leaking to the tune of one reservoir's worth of fluid a week.

[jfrabat]

Well, it didn't turn out as I'd hoped.  The noise is still there, and there is still a leak somewhere else now.  I warmed it up today to try and find out where the leak was coming from, and noticed power steering fluid all over the underside of the intake manifold suggesting that the fluid is squirting out from somewhere.  Pretty sure it isn't any of the hoses as they were cleaned off yesterday to see where the leak is coming from.  But, the back and underbelly of the pump itself is covered in fluid.  I'll admit that I'm not too familiar with the workings of the power steering pump.  Is there somewhere on the back or underside of the pump that could leak?  And if so, what caused it, a faulty replacement pump or something?  It's  leaking to the tune of one reservoir's worth of fluid a week.

Try covering the whole area with baby powder (just the dust if you can) after cleaning everything up.  Any leaks will be more visible that way...