So im driving today and begin to hear the dreaded whine of the power steering. Its a very low sound level, so i cut off the radio to hear it a little better, and I can really only hear it when im accelerating or turning, but i know it will only get worse it time.

So I got home and popped the hood to look around. Feeling under the powersteering pump (?) (the one based on the serp. belt), and got some fluid on my fingers.

Anyone have an idea of what it could be?

Would it be worth it to try using some power steering stop leak and see if that fixes it?

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

Try to tighten the lines going into the power steering pump, they can vibrate and work loose. Make sure the reservoir is full to keep the pump from running dry and going bad.

 

ok.

and the pump and lines were just replaced about 13 months ago if im correct, so im figuring its a seal issue. ill check it tomorrow.

If it is the pump, it would be covered under the 2 year warranty that came with it.

 

It's pretty hard to determine where ps leaks originate because everything is right close together and fluid goes everywhere, it's usually the lines but they can leak from where the shaft the pulley is on exits the pump as well as the case seal, but that's not all that common. Usually it's just a PITA to get the lines tight enough.

 

Checked today and the reservoir was a little low... and the fluid was near the two hoses that lead to and from the reservoir. Made sure they were both securely on, and topped it off with some stop-leak and some power-steering fluid.

Tomorrow after about 30 miles of driving i have to do i plan to check everything and see what happens!

 

Yeah, clean it up real good with brake clean or something so you can see any new leaks.

 

It leaks the most while steering so have someone turn the wheel back and forth while you watch for the leak.