How different is the front end of the L36 compared to the L27, if at all?

A couple of diffences are that the L36 uses a different engine mount that requires removal of a bolt and sleeve from the lower front corner of the mount to change the serpentine belt. And the L36 power steering pump is carefully hidden under the back of the rear bank so no one can find it.

Thanks for the info guys. The belt will be taken off tomorrow, and we will have more info by then.

**UPDATE**
Ok, this week has been really crappy in terms of trying to get real work done around here (darn class and their projects....). But, I went to Wally World and picked up some more P/* fluid, and topped off the resevoir. It wasn't empty, but wasn't to the brim either. The chaos under the hood was greatly reduced to an a minor noise once in awhile, compared to a full on symphony of rattling. Because of this I'm putting money on the P/* pump. Does this sound like a proper diagnosis?

Puddy - I'd suggest following the above steps. It could be that the ps has blown out. If you remove the belt and before starting the car, turn each pulley by hand. If any feel like grinding or bound up, that could be the problem. You should be able to turn everything except the balancer fairly easily.

Then start the car like Bill (willwren) and others suggested. If you hear the noise it'* the balancer. Best to spend an hour and diagnose it completely then stabbing toward the ps pump only to replace it and find out you still have the problem.

BTW, why is your power steering losing fluid? What part is leaking.

Bill, I still plan on getting to the bottom of this problem via belt removal, however, the lack of time has restricted my ability to get to it. I was just asking if the given conditions would help me lean one way or another on thsi problem. As for the leak, I have no idea where it is. When I bought the car the dealer told me there was a small leak in the system. I wasn't an issue until about November, and it has slowly gotten worse. When I'm in the engine bay getting the belt off, I'll investigate the best i can