Yesterday after stopping for fuel with the engine still cold (drove about 0.5 miles) my truck started spouting power steering fluid. It was really foamy and exited through the cap of the reservoir. I was in a hurry so I cleaned it up and filled up with Shell ATF (nothing else available) and let the engine run. Had to fill in about half a quart until I got power steering back. (This was about the amount on the ground beneath my truck) - Everything looked fine until I stopped the engine and went in to pay for fuel and fluid. - Again ps-fluid running down from the pump. Started the engine and well-no more fluid. Checked teh level, filled up, drove for about 130 kms and checked again. Seems to be tight.

Anybody got an explanation ???

AlpineRAM

 

AlpineRAM;
I just experinced the same, all though my pwr asist started going away when it was real cold. Got better as it warmed up. In this situation w/178k mi on it I figured the pump ate it's self. Bought one for my 93, $81.00 "reman." + a new hp hose $25.00, & a couple of feet of 11/32 smog hose (return hose) and clamps. Works great, hopefully it's ready for another 178k.

ramguy

 

Well my PS has been groaning and moaning in the morning after cold starts. Had the impression it was in accordance with driver though
I hope that I won't have to buy a new pump. Looks like fun to change on a second gen :P

AlpineRAM

 

Mine moans, groans and complains until it's warmed up with winter weather. Never had it spit fluid, though. I'd be tempted to drain the fluid and replace.

 

Some rigs will puke PS fluid if you turn the steering wheel without the engine running.

For the winter moans and groans Lube-Guard PS treatment will take care of it.
About five bucks at most auto parts.

 

I changed my fluid out to Valvoline synthetic,it stopped the groaning,but here in Oklahoma it does not get as cold as some of you guys area's. It has got down to below 20 twice and several mornings below 30 and no groan. Goodluck Rick

 

I haven't had any power steering fluid comer out but I have notice the pump getting weak ovr the last month. I have 25000 on my truck and you cannot turn the wheel on asphalt unless the truck is moving now. Has anyone else experienced this problem?

 

Have read before that there is a screen of some sort in the pump that sometimes gets clogged up with stuff and blocks flow which could create an increase in pressure thereby driving it out the cap. Member who posted about it said he tore the pump apart to fix it and ran across that. He cleaned it put it back together and it worked fine. I have no idea how to get to the screen though.

 

my PS pump has been leakin as long as I can remember (just like everything else lately lol)

rarely have any problems with it though

 

Well, drove about 200miles since the problem and nothing wrong. No moan and groan, no leak. ;D

Maybe this was the automatic power steering fluid change mechanism? Foam it up and spout it out to get new one in ??? :P

AlpineRAM

 

[quote author=hntnbo link=board=5;threadid=24071;start=0#msg227500 date=1072059566]
I haven't had any power steering fluid comer out but I have notice the pump getting weak ovr the last month. I have 25000 on my truck and you cannot turn the wheel on asphalt unless the truck is moving now. Has anyone else experienced this problem?
[/quote]

Same thing here - wheels won't turn unless I'm rolling, just haven't had the time yet to look at it. Mine's at 40k, but it's been doing it for a little while now. - Justin

 

I filled in some Shell ATF for GM autos (Well that was all they had for laughable 16US$/litre > ) and since then my power steering has regained the power. I can turn my wheels while standing on the brake, and I've got quite some pull from my DTT TC to hold. Before the fluid change it wasn't that powerful.

Just my 2c

AlpineRAM

 

Makes you wonder what kind of p/s fluid they put in there from the factory doesn't it? I've never seen p/s fluid "wear out" before.... :
Justin

 

I don't think that the fluid wears out- but maybe it got some water through the gasket of the lid or some other contaminant. Mine was growling and moaning when below freezing point and the ps was edgy and not strong at these temps.
Maybe it's the higher viscosity of the new fluid that reduces backflow in the pump- now that the clearances are wider due to use.... ???
Or is it lover viscosity making it pass through the valves easier than the sludge that it had sputed out ???

Others have noted improvements in cold weather after changing the ps fluid to some synthetics like amsoil.

AlpineRAM

 

Alpine if the level gets low and when cold it sucks some air, it can foam the fluid and will entrail the air in the whole system. Until the air works out and the fluid settles down it will blow it out. The fluid expands a lot with heat so it affects it when cold, especially when real cold. If it does that, let it settle down, fill it up and turn the wheels from lock to lock to bleed it out. Also check the return line that it is not leaking slightly, which could pull in air and cause the foaming. Sometimes when removing the pump or gear, it takes a day or two for the air to work its way out of the system.