'97 Power Steering Noisy Pump

I've recently finished replacing the blown engine in my '97 Escort Wagon with a used engine I bought.

Everything works/runs great with one exception. The power steering pump is noisy, and obviously has air in it. I've bled it more times than I can count, by turning from 'lock to lock' slowly, while cranking (not running) the engine.

To swap engines, I only had to break one connection on a pressure line. I've even replaced this one line with a new one, and still have a noisy pump, with lots of bubbles in the reservoir. I don't see any bubbles appearing when just running the engine/pump, but when I turn the steering wheel there are lots of small bubbles in the fluid.

Kind of at my wit's end, should bleeding this system be this difficult? I guess the next thing I'll do is replace the pump, and just assume it coincidentally decided to crap out at the same time as the engine.

I appreciate any and all opinions and suggestions. Thanks

The PS pump is all right. There are 3 things that could make it noisy. They are:

1. Low fluid level
2. Bad pump
3. Air in the system

Purging PS System of Air

1. Raise the vehicle until the front tires are clear of the floor.
2. Add PS fluid to the reservoir until it is to the full mark.
3. Disconnect the igniton coil electrical connection.
4. Crank the engine for 30 seconds while cycling the steering wheel fully to
the left and right.
5. Do not hold steering wheel on stops.
6. check PS fluid level.
7. lower the vehcle
8. Connect the ignition coil electrical connector.
9. Check level and fill if needed.

If the above procedure doesn't work try this using a hand held vacuum device to purge air from the system.

1. Raise the vehicle until the tires are off the floor.
2. Remove the PS reservoir cap.
3. Tightly insert the rubber stopper of vacuum device
4. Start vehicle.
5. Apply vacuum 20 to 25 in. for a minimum of 3 minutes at idle.
6. Release the vacuum and remove device.
7. Check the PS fluid level and fill to full mark.
8. Reinstall the vacuum device to the reservoir.
9. Apply vacuum 20 to 25 in.
10. Cycle steering wheel fully to the left and right every 30 seconds for approximately 5 minutes.
11. Turn engine off.
12. Release vaccum and remove it from the reservoir.
13. Check PS fluid level and add if needed.
14. Start the engine
15. Cycle the steering wheel left and right every 30 seconds for 5 minutes.
16. Lower vehicle and check fluid level in reservoir.

Repeat air purging procedures if necessary.
I hope this helps you some. Later, Dave

Dave,

Thanks for the detailed instructions. I already have done the first procedure you listed, so I'm moving on to hooking up my MightyVac vacuum pump and use your second set of instructions.

I truly appreciate it.

Well, I tried the second set of instructions above (using vacuum pump, etc.) for the better part of a couple of hours, with no results.

As soon as I apply the vacuum, the growling pump gets nice and quiet. Then I went thru above procedure (lock to lock every 30 seconds, etc.) ThenI did it again, and again. Still growls as soon as the vacuum is released.

I visually checked every inch of all lines, and am confident that none of them are leaking. I double checked the upper pressure line connection (above the alternator), and that is sealed perfectly. I double checked the other end of this line to the pump, and it was no tighter than 20 ft. lbs, just like the instructions stated.

So it's not low on fluid, the lines are all intact, yet the pump just keeps growling and showing bubbles in the reservoir......it's almost GOT to be the pump itself? I know it's too coincidental that it happened now when simply disconnecting and reconnecting the system, but I don't know what else to think. I mean it's not that big or complex a system, it's GOT to be the pump!

Well I'm not going to get a chance to work on it until next week at this point. Sure wish I could get this gas saver on the road. My daily commute in my Blazer is killing me in gas cost.

Thanks for the help.

Yeah, you're right. It's got to be the pump otherwise the vacuum procedure would take the air out of the system. You've tried everything humanly possible and yet still noisy pump. If it were mine, that's the way I would go. Replace that pump. It probably is bypassing and letting air into the system. The procedures I listed were from the 1997 Ford Escort factory service manual so they have to be right. l. I hope you get it worked out okay. Later, Dave