Hi all,

I replaced my power steering pump 2 weeks ago due to a leak from the reservoir seal. Was working fine until a few days ago now i'm getting a random loss of power steering at low speed turns. My belt is maybe three months old and seems to be tight so i don't think its slipping. The fluid level is good and there are no air bubbles present. I do have a belt chirp in the mornings maybe due to the pulley not being lined up but that shouldn't cause it. Any ideas?


88 Iroc Z
Serp Belt.

 

Sounds like the pump may be sucking air, or just failing altogether. Just because you replaced the pump doesn't mean it is good unfortunately

 

Where would it be sucking air from? Bad cap? Yeah I'm thinking of replacing it again but wanted to do tests first.
Thanks.

 

It would sucks air through a leaky hose or connection. cap doesn't matter.

 

Inspect your belt for fluid. Clean it with brakecleen.

 

Sounds like there's air trapped in the system.

Make sure there is enough fluid in it, too much is better than too little (I've seen a few cars that just didn't work right unless it was way overfilled according to the marks, the worst that will happen if it's overfilled is the fluid will come out the cap when it gets hot, hose it down and don't worry about it). Jack the car up with the front tires not touching the ground, start the engine and turn the steering wheel back and forth the whole way a bunch of times. That will pump the fluid through the whole system and should pump any air bubbles out. Check the fluid level, top off if necessary and repeat till the fluid level doesn't change and you don't see any bubbles in the fluid.

Back down and take it for a ride.

 

Thanks. I did the off ground air bleed process on Monday night and it did help get some air out but not all. I found that my pressure hose has a small leak so my new one will be here tomorrow. Then I will do it again.