engine sound when under power

[oldsguy2]

I have a 99 Intrigue with a 3.5L that has a whiney sound when the engine is under acceleration, even if the required increase in power is only to allow the cruise to keep the speed when going up hill. I think I have it narrowed it down to the power steering pump? When the cap is off the resevoir, the noise is louder. This noise has just appeared recently and the resevoir was down a little in fluid.
The noise goes away if the engine is loafing along.

Can anyone offer any suggestions? Will I incur long term damage if I drive it as is?

Thanks

[jmlangeveld]

This seems to be a fairly common occurance on these Intrigue powersteering pumps. You can try the turkey baster method of putting in new powersteering fluid (suck out the old stuff, replace with same amount of new fluid, start car and turn wheels a few times, turn off car, repeat same process until fluid looks clean, 1-2 quarts). Does your old fluid look dark and dirty?

I like the Valvoline Synthetic Power Steering Fluid. Also, if all else fails, the pump will just continue to whine and be loud. This shouldn't be too big of an issue--mostly an annoyance.

[15thurman]

I am a true believer in lucas oils power steering fluid. it is a thick fluid that is a superior lubricant that quiets the noise almost immedatly. it can be purchased at auto zone/advace auto/or your local napa dealer. cheap repair

[jmlangeveld]

Originally Posted by 15thurman

I am a true believer in lucas oils power steering fluid. it is a thick fluid that is a superior lubricant that quiets the noise almost immedatly. it can be purchased at auto zone/advace auto/or your local napa dealer. cheap repair

I actually tried the Lucas powersteering fluid... It did not work for me. When the weather was cold, the fluid was too thick and it made it really hard to steer.

Lubegard also makes a good powersteering conditioner.

http://www.lubegard.com/automotive/p...rotectant.html

[oldsguy2]

Originally Posted by jmlangeveld

I actually tried the Lucas powersteering fluid... It did not work for me. When the weather was cold, the fluid was too thick and it made it really hard to steer.

Lubegard also makes a good powersteering conditioner.

http://www.lubegard.com/automotive/p...rotectant.html

I used the Valvoline Synthetic, turkey basted, and the sound went down by 75%, not completely gone, but acceptable.
Thanks

[canatto]

It may sound dumb, but how do you turkey bast the steering fluid? I'd like to try the same to see if it quiets down the steering pump in mine. Thanks.

[oldsguy2]

Originally Posted by canatto

It may sound dumb, but how do you turkey bast the steering fluid? I'd like to try the same to see if it quiets down the steering pump in mine. Thanks.

I used my wife's turkey baster and removed as much fluid as I could from the resevoir, filled it with Valvoline Synthetic, ran it, turned the wheels, etc., and then "turkey based" and refilled it two more times as that is when the "burnt" fluid was mostly removed. I used the trukey baster as I could not find a valve to drain the system. The noise has decreased condsiderably, maybe 90%, and it is now barely audible.

[Renegade2k]

The turkey baster method is simialr to what they do at the dealership.
They pump in new fluid at the same time as draining the old fluid. The fluid will continue to cycle through the resivoir as long as the engine is running. Turing the wheels cycles it in and out of the rack. You want to run the rack all of the way back and fourth.