My levels are OK, although it has dropped slightly. I have noticed that after a blast the reservoir weeps fluid from the rubber O ring that is meant to seal the reservoir where it sit on top of the pump. Could it be the fluid boiling? I've used the recommended fluid to top up in the past.

 

After a good blast in my 95 WRX I sometimes get a whining noise from the power steering pump. It disapears after driving gently for a mile or so. Any ideas on a fix?

 

I've had this in my 95 WRX. I pulled onto a large roundabout from traffic lights and went virtually all the way round. About halfway, I could hear a high-pitched whine - I thought it was the gearbox initially.

Turns out the power steering fluid level had dropped and the noise was the sound of the pump trying to cope with the high revs and not too much fluid whilst cornering hard. Topped up the level and all was good. It does make quiet noises every so often during a hard drive but this is more to do with the fluid heating up.

Stew


[This message has been edited by StewartW (edited 09-06-2000).]

 

Had the same problem guys. Turned out I had a fluid leak, which was only noticable after hard driving. Topping up was required occasionally.

Problem only solved after the steering was re-conditioned at a cost £200ish + labour(replacement much more exspensive)

 

Hi,
There's a wining noise I get from the car which I suspect is power stering related. I does increase on sharp bends and only appears after at least 10 mins driving. It's a UK 95 car. I was going to get the dealer to look at it at the next service, but I'm interested in the comment that it may be the fluid heating up. Is there any way to be sure where the problem is, other than have the guys do a trail and error with the variuos belts and pullies on the engine?

 

I've just had my power steering pump replaced due to leakage. The leaked fluid was fouling the coolant and crank position sensors and preventing the car from starting. Luckily the two times this happened the car was at home and not in the middle of nowhere at night.

I now have a Type RA pump which has added more weight and feel and has the added bonus of a 50% bigger reservior which should help the fluid stay cooler.

Stew

 

What MY do you have Stew, and what MY RA did the pump come off??

Cheers,
Nito

 

Andy,

The problem is indeed that the fluid is boiling - this is a common occurrence on Imprezas, and I have encountered it several times personally. I am now using Castrol ATF (automatic transmission fluid) instead of the standard power-steering fluid, which seems to have improved matters. I haven't had a recurrence of the problem yet, but the weather's only just starting to hot up really.

I would say it's worth a try though, as it's a cheaper option than trying to rig up a P/S fluid cooler. If you do want to go the whole hog, it might be worth asking Pete Croney at ScoobySport. I know he was working on a cooler kit but I dunno how far he got with it.

HTH

-= mike =-

 

My pump noise is getting more frequent and persistant over the weekend. After only a couple of miles dual carraigway driving the whining appears, rather like me missus! Must be a dodgy pump. I'm running Castrol TQF fluid by the way. Any one got a pump for sale?

 

Andy,

I forgot to mention in my last posting that once your fluid has boiled, it should be replaced, I believe. I could still be the pump of course, but it might be worth trying some fresh ATF before you go to the expense of a new pump.

-= mike =-

 

Mike, i've already replaced the fluid when I removed the reservoir to sort out the what appears to be the common problem of leakage after hard driving. Nevertheless, i'll totally change the fluid again to see if that helps. Thanks for your interest and help anyway.

 

How do you change the power steering fluid , is there a release pipe ?? or is it a case of taking the resiv out??