Today was the coldest day yet since I bought my '01 a couple weeks ago. It was 1*F when I left the house this morning. I had the truck plugged in overnight so starting was not an issue, but as soon as it fired off, there was an ugly sounding howl coming from the engine compartment. It was RPM related and after a mild freak out, I noticed that it was also related to turning the steering wheel. Then it dawned on me that I had read somewhere about the power steering pumps these CTD howling when the fluid was really cold. I let her warm up a bit and then took off for work. As the truck warmed up on the highway, the howling decreased and finally went away.

Since my truck is also equiped with hydroboost, the sluggish pump also has an undesirable effect on the brakes. I have had many vehicles in the past with Saginaw steering pumps, and none of them had this problem. What can be done to reduce/eliminate this nasty howling on cold start ups? Synthetic p/s fluid?

 

Yep, I think it was the power steering pump. Mine starts to howl around -10 F. Funny, if it's just 5 degrees warmer...nothing. I've heard the fix is synthetic PS fluid, but I don't know for sure.

Tom

BTW if you replace the PS fluid, how do you purge the entire system?

 

I believe that AMSOIL ATF works fine in the pumps...SImply undo the return line and let fluid drain and then use a Turkey baster to remove any left in the pump. Then reinstall the hose and fill the pump with the new stuff and turn your steering all the way to the right and all the way to the left to "bleed" it. And refill the pump as needed...

 

When we would do a PS flush and fill I would disconnect the return line and cap it on the back of the pump. Then have an assistant steer the car/truck and pour fresh fluid into the pump. This fresh fluid would get pumped through the steering box or rack, through the lines and into a waste pail. Kept purging until fluid was crimson, usually took about 6 or 8 on a Windstar with a noisy rack. Sometimes will cure the noise and will remove any contaminants in the system. Don't let it run dry. Gotta remember a PS pump is just a hydraulic pump. They don't like cold weather. Ever hear a big shovel whine when cold? They will whine for almost an hour. Make sure you don't have any water in it.

 

Speaking of howling, you guys ever notice your turbo howling on cold days, especially when slowing down?

I know this thread started as PS related, just the "Howling" made me think of it..

 

yep mine is loud when cold.

 

when cold my turbo has a little different sound when you let up on the throttle. it is a little deeper sound.

 

This morning (-2F) I actually pulled off the road to make sure the turbo hose hadn't popped off. Glad to hear others notice it too.

 

I talked to the service guy at my dealer today when the truck was in getting the high idle reflash done and he said it is pretty common. Said there is a check valve in the system that gets stuck and/or doesn't operate properly when the fluid is cold and thick. I asked him what should be done about it and his answer was to wait till the fluid warms up and it will quit making noise He said that it doesn't hurt anything, it's just annoying.

He also mentioned that sometimes when the tranny fluid is extremely cold and thick and you put it in reverse, you can hear a buzzing sound. It's the same sort of thing.... warm the fluid up and it will quit.

 

When mine was making noise, at summer temps, I put Lucas PS Fluid Conditioner in there, just topped it off, and it shut right up. You might try that with your cold temps and see if it helps. I've only started mine cold at around 17 degrees and it did not make any noise at all then.

Chris