power steering pump question

[vanzant]

'98 Q45 Y33. 132kI have a continuous hum noise. Asked my mechanic and he said it was coming from the power steering pump. It is also leaking fluid. Question: Are these symptoms of a failed pump or simply a worn out pulley?

[Q451990]

We seem to be seeing a rash of Y33 pump failures lately. If the pump itself is leaking, then it's time to replace it... a mechanic's stethoscope will narrow it down for you in terms of the noise.

Heath

[3Q Jay]

check the suction hose first as source of leak. they are not cheap ($33 from IoS two years ago), but less expensive than a pump. does the humm get much quieter when warm (see other related posts).

[maxnix]

Go to a hydraulic systems expert. Pumps almost never fail unless abused mercilessly. The rack will usually fail first under such abuse.

[paranoidjack]

We seem to be seeing a rash of Y33 pump failures lately. If the pump itself is leaking, then it's time to replace it... a mechanic's stethoscope will narrow it down for you in terms of the noise.

Heath

180k here, original pump, flushed with OEM fluids at 140k. Steering ONLY RECENTLY has started to stutter and stumble when cold and not moving while turning the wheel.

[azeiler]

2006 M35, 55,000 miles. My first Infiniti & I LOVE it!

When it's cold, there is a whining noise (not like a belt) that stops in a few seconds. One of my belts was fraying, so I had both replaced. That didn't fix the whining. Fortunately, I live in S Florida so I don't hear this but maybe 8 or 10 times a year.

Last month I started loosing power steering at low RPM's. This only happens when the car has warmed up. There are no leaks. Can a P/S system be flushed? Or will a drain and refill replace all the fluid? Could this problem be related to the whining?

I have never, ever replaced P/S fluid (or brake fluid) in any car that I ever had, so I'm a little surprised to read a post that talked about replacing these fluids on a regular basis.

[vanzant]

I did end up replacing my PS pump because it was leaking and (I thought) making a medium-high pitched humming noise. Turns out that the noise is still there. Just today I've taken it to the shop. I'll soon find out what the source of the noise is. BTW I shopped extensively for a rebuilt PS pump online and they were all on back order. NO cores to be had. Had to buy new for about $255.

[Q45tech]

After 20 years of use and 325,000 miles, the ps idler pulley bearings have been replaced twice and all PS hoses at least once. All internal rack and pump components are as built in 1989.

Always used Mobil 1 Syn ATF and Valvoline ATF along ith BG PS additive and more recently Lubeguard AT additive.............a few ounces in PS and the rest in 2 spaced treatments in ATF.

All about replacing PS fluid based on color desaturation which shows the amount of overheating [normally every year].

[azeiler]

Always used Mobil 1 Syn ATF and Valvoline ATF along ith BG PS additive and more recently Lubeguard AT additive.............a few ounces in PS and the rest in 2 spaced treatments in ATF.

Please explain in more detail; I don't understand.

Thx.

[maxnix]

Please explain in more detail; I don't understand.

Thx.

Post is pretty explicit except for the fact Q45tech doesn't specify if he used Red or Black LubeGuard for PS additive.

Why don't you try posting a more specific question highlighting exactly what it is you don't understand?

[azeiler]

Always used Mobil 1 Syn ATF and Valvoline ATF along ith BG PS additive and more recently Lubeguard AT additive.............a few ounces in PS and the rest in 2 spaced treatments in ATF.

I was going to ask why you're using ATF instead of p/s fluid, but I just checked under the hood and the p/s resovior cap says use ATF. I've never heard of using ATF in p/s, but if that's what they say, then I'll use it.Why do you have to use an additive? I have no idea what you mean when you say "a few ounces in PS and the rest in 2 spaced treatments in ATF."

[Q45tech]

Lubeguard is a synthetic additive made from genetically modified sunflower oil to emulate sperm whale oil in slickness parameters.

It is use to modify the viscosity vs temperature and other parameters in ATF.

PS is a more stressful situation than ATF was designed to handle consistently hotter than ATF in AT due to smaller volume and tiny heat exchanger.

ATF is red by a dye which is temperature sensitive so like ATF in AT you change when red destaturates to less vibrant red.

ATF usually survives 30k or so while PS changes by 15k. Not that it fails just that it changes viscosity.

ATF gets exposed to air thru the overflow vent whereas ATF in PS is a better sealed situation [unless you leave reservoir cap off].

Varnish forms from destructive heat and additives help delay this. Less friction less heat!

I buy Lubeguard for AT and don't use even 1/2 bottle per application so 2 ounces in PS gets rid of excess in bottle.

Careful it will really change slickness and lighten steering wheel force required to turn vs straight ATF.

PS fluid is ATF without certain additives for clutches in AT otherwise the same.

Tribology is the study of lubricants and their friction.http://www.stle.org/research/m....aspx?

I would think that evryone who cares about vehicles would study [to some depth] lubrication.

At least some understanding of speed and load variations amongst products.

http://www.eion-additives.com/tribology.pdf

priuschat.com/.../11773d1223749822-whats-best-oil-0w20-good-imechereview-eu-oil-stability.pdf

[azeiler]

I, like probably most people, think that putting the right fluid into the right reservior is all we need to know.

Q45tech - Thanks for taking the time to write all that; it was an education and I appreciate it.

[azeiler]

I just had power steering pump and rack & pinion replaced - $1,200 - OUCH! But it's finally steering properly.

[Q451990]

I just turkey baster (actually a fluid extractor) "flush" mine at each oil change. Cheap, fast, and easy...

Heath

[Q45tech]

As an economist [+ MBA] + MS, it always pays to frequently replace lubricants vs any hard component especially when most consider their personal labor free.

My favorite bathroom book of the month and a must read is :
Managerial Economics & Business Strategy, 7th Edition [2010]
by Baye, Michael

Don't spend $112 new buy used and even older editions ~~~ $30> $10

[azeiler]

I just turkey baster (actually a fluid extractor) "flush" mine at each oil change. Cheap, fast, and easy...

I will probably start doing this as well. Also, some lubeguard makes slow-speed steering a little easier.