2003 Envoy-Steering Pump Whine/Squawk When Temp Below Zero

[Ken148]

I bought my 2003 Envoy Dec 2002 & keep it outside. On first start of the day when it is below zero the steering pump makes a god-awful squawk noise lasting from a few seconds when near zero to 10 minutes or more when 5 or 10 below! There is a TSB for the 2002 Envoy recommending a drain & flush of steering fluid but my Dealer says that according to the GM Techline this does not help the 2003. Has anyone else had this problem?

[MagicRat]

It sounds as if the pump is failing. Car and Driver did a 40,000 mile test on one about a month or two ago and they had pump problems too.
Look at the fluid. Is it clear or really dirty? If it looks grey or black, there are ground up aluminum particles becuase the pump is damaging itself.
Demand a repair under warranty, with a new pump and a complete flushing of the whole system, the sooner the better.

[dreinking]

Originally Posted by Ken148

I bought my 2003 Envoy Dec 2002 & keep it outside. On first start of the day when it is below zero the steering pump makes a god-awful squawk noise lasting from a few seconds when near zero to 10 minutes or more when 5 or 10 below! There is a TSB for the 2002 Envoy recommending a drain & flush of steering fluid but my Dealer says that according to the GM Techline this does not help the 2003. Has anyone else had this problem?

My 2002 Envoy is the 3rd GMC vehicle I have owned that makes that noise when its below zero. 2000 Safari Van and 1999 Sierra pick up before the Envoy. Have never had it last more than a minute. With the first vehicle I was concerned and had it looked at. They found nothing. I ignore it now and assume its a design issue in the pump or belt system that is only a bit annoying at worse on the less than 20 below zero mornings in my location. Have never had a pump failure or belt failure in any of the vehicles.

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My suggestion to all Envoy owners:
After 30k miles drain out the power steering fluid- the turkey baster approach is fine as long as you do it, drive the truck for a day, do it again... for a few times. Drain the factory fill and refill with Valvoline Synthetic power steering fluid. You will not believe the difference in noise/feel. Plus the protection is very superior (this can be verified at www.bobistheoilguy.com). Go to forums and search "valvoline synthetic power steering fluid"
I did this on my 2002 Envoy in December because I was getting a whine noise when cold- under 15f degrees. Once I turkey basted out my oil fluid (it was really dark and smelled) and refilled with the valvoline synthetic, I havent had a noise since and my steering is 100% nicer. Good Luck!