Think my PS pump is going. Thoughts?
#1
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Toronto
Posts: 442
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Think my PS pump is going. Thoughts?
Hi Guys
Been hearing a whine from one of the pulleys recently, but was not sure which one it was. I thought I had felt some variation in pressure when I turned the wheel over the last few days, but I was not really sure. Today, it became more noticeable. Steering feels ok for the first little bit, then just gets heavier. Not like no PS at all, but definately heavier than usual. The whine does not seem to be going away anymore. Can hear a litle whine all the time, even when warm. Checked my fluid level, and it was showing hi. Was on the "hot" full mark when the fluid was cold. (try getting at that thing with a hot engine!).
My car is a 95 Olds 98. Standard PS.
Thanks!
Erik
Been hearing a whine from one of the pulleys recently, but was not sure which one it was. I thought I had felt some variation in pressure when I turned the wheel over the last few days, but I was not really sure. Today, it became more noticeable. Steering feels ok for the first little bit, then just gets heavier. Not like no PS at all, but definately heavier than usual. The whine does not seem to be going away anymore. Can hear a litle whine all the time, even when warm. Checked my fluid level, and it was showing hi. Was on the "hot" full mark when the fluid was cold. (try getting at that thing with a hot engine!).
My car is a 95 Olds 98. Standard PS.
Thanks!
Erik
#2
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Granville, Ohio ~NEBF '07 Survivor~
Posts: 5,001
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by bigerik
Checked my fluid level, and it was showing hi.
#3
Senior Member
Certified GM nut
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Wickliffe, Ohio
Posts: 2,155
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The fluid should not be at the hot full mark when cold; try to get some of the fluid out so it is at the correct level and then lets go from there.
Ed
Ed
#4
Junior Member
Posts like a Ricer Type-R
Half the time people think their power steering is going out, they have a bad belt tensioner. And as a matter of coincidence, that was my problem on one of the cars 6 months ago. Same symptoms as a failing pump, including the squeal at full steering lock. New tensioner, no more problems. Check that belt tension first!
#5
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Toronto
Posts: 442
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by willwren
Half the time people think their power steering is going out, they have a bad belt tensioner. And as a matter of coincidence, that was my problem on one of the cars 6 months ago. Same symptoms as a failing pump, including the squeal at full steering lock. New tensioner, no more problems. Check that belt tension first!
Thanks!
Erik
#6
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Originally Posted by bigerik
Originally Posted by willwren
Half the time people think their power steering is going out, they have a bad belt tensioner. And as a matter of coincidence, that was my problem on one of the cars 6 months ago. Same symptoms as a failing pump, including the squeal at full steering lock. New tensioner, no more problems. Check that belt tension first!
Thanks!
Erik
#8
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Toronto
Posts: 442
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by BillBoost37
There are marks on the tensioner assembly that show you roughly how much tension is applied.
Thanks
Erik
#10
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Toronto
Posts: 442
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by willwren
Half the time people think their power steering is going out, they have a bad belt tensioner. And as a matter of coincidence, that was my problem on one of the cars 6 months ago. Same symptoms as a failing pump, including the squeal at full steering lock. New tensioner, no more problems. Check that belt tension first!
Will have it in this weekend and will let you guys know what happens.
Any tips for doing it, btw?
Thanks
Erik