2002 Q45 sport power steering noise, leak.

[Zoltan11]

Hey guys,
New to the Q forum, but been with the A33 forum for a while.
So I just picked up a 02 Q with 165k it has a high pressure line power steering leak, and the power steering system as a whole makes a lot of noise. The power steering pump was replaced 5k ago. I'm wondering why the power steering whines so much being brand new? And also if the leak in the high pressure line would cause the steering to stick a little during slow tight turns?
The matainance records show that the serpentine belt was replace not to long ago as we'll as a couple tensioners. When the car is cold and running some pulleys down low on the belt config whine a little at idle. Goes away after warming up.
Any advise on known power steering problems would be appreciated.

[Q451990]

Nothing known that I'm aware of. I would make sure the fan pump has the proper fluid and fluid level... it's possible hydraulic noise from it could cause noises that you think are power steering.

I'm going to guess there is air in the system, especially since you still have a leak. Bad idler pullies will tend to be more noisy when cold.

Heath

[Zoltan11]

Heath. Those are good points.
Looked closer today. The bearing on the tensioner pully way down low in the middle of the car is going out. It starts winding up when I rev. Also the leak is coming out of the high pressure hose in two spots it seems. The hose takes a u turn upwards and its leaking out of the two lowest points. The PS fluid seems to be trying to over flow but doesn't really ooze out.
Your probably right about there being air in the system. That high pressure line is no longer under high pressure and probably sucking some air in.
The power steering pump seems a little loud. But maybe it's normal. The PS pump is brand new. All the noise I hear seems to be the tensioner mentioned above.
Lastly. The steering seems sticky durning very low speed turning and U turns.
It alternates between grabbing "sticking" and smooth during a full turn.
I'm hoping the high pressure leak is causing this sticky steering problem.
What do you think? Could the leak cause these symptoms?
Thanks

[Zoltan11]

Update::
Just had the high pressure hose that was leaking replaced.
The steering issues remain the same. It is increasingly harder to turn the wheel at low speeds and u turns. Seems like its getting no assistance from the pump.
As mentioned above the steering pump was replaced recently. My mechanic does not really know why it's acting this way. He suggested going to the dealer for diagnostics.
What sensors or control modules could cause these symptoms?
Would a bad sensor for the power steering system show up on OBD 2?
A check engine light came on recently right when the steering started to get harder to turn.
Any help is appreciated.

[djwarner]

Seems like a trip to the auto parts dealer to read the codes would be appropriate.

May be obvious, but there are two reservoirs, one for the power steering and one for the hydraulic fan clutch. More the one person (including me) has mistaken one for the other.

I would verify both are full and then turn the wheel from lock to lock several times to bleed any air from the system.

[Zoltan11]

Thanks for the reply.
Can you explain what the hydro fan clutch does in relation to the power steering?
My power steering system should have been bled of air by my mechanic when he installed the hose. He said there was no foaming or anything like that.
I have seen other posts about a sticky pressure relief valve in the connection between pump and hose. Maybe this is my problem?
Or maybe there is a speed sensor malfunction? Causing the system to give no assistance?

[djwarner]

Sorry I missed your reply earlier. The hydraulic fan system is totally independent from the power steering system.

The two different reservoirs are displayed on page 8-4 of the owners manual. The PS reservoir is mounted on the top front passenger side of the engine. The cooling fan reservoir is located on the top front of the engine on the driver side.

[Zoltan11]

Update:
Issue turned out to be the rack and pinion.
$1,400 for the new factory rack.
Drives like a dream now.