1994 LHS Whining noise from front of engine...

[doug2060]

1994 LHS 3.5 V6 Automatic 125K. My LHS started making this whining noise a few days ago. I believe it is the power steering pump but I cant be sure just by listening to it. The wheel turns like normal and turning it has only a minimal affect on the noise by making it slightly quieter. The noise sounds like my old plymouth van when you would turn the wheel all the way left or right but the noise is constant no matter where the wheel is turned. It doesn't get much louder with accelertation. It gets slightly louder but when up to 40 to 60mph it's not as noticible. The fluid in the reservoir sloshes around even without turning the wheel but there are no air bubbles and it has sufficient fluid. Any thoughts or test I can try. It doesn't appear hard to replace if necessary but I don't want to waste my time throwing money at it.

[madmanmapper]

You say there's enough fluid? Try more fluid anyway, keep adding until the noise goes away. Of course if you fill it to the top and its still making noise something's wrong. I'd say put a lot of fluid in there, then leave the cap open but put a rag over the hole so it wont spill everywhere. With the engine running in park, turn the steering wheel all the way one way then turn it all the way back, repeat a couple times. This has worked for me before. If the noise continues, try removing a lot of fluid however you can, and then put some automatic transmission fluid in it. It's a hydraulic fluid too. If that fails, then I have failed. You might need a new (/used) pump. Oh and if it sounds like you van when you turn the wheel all the way, it's most likely a power steering thing. And you might wanna try trans fluid for the first thing I said to do.

[doug2060]

Thanks, I actually tried that last night. I filled it almost all the wayt to the top. I believe it made a very small difference but it is too insugnificant to be sure... Is there anthing other than the power steering pump that would cause the whining? I know its not the alternator but would the tensioner cause a whine?

[doug2060]

I drove the car all day today and the more I drove it the more quieter it became. The reservoir had adequate fluid to begin with but filling it to the top has apparently had some affect. I recently purchased this car from a friend and it had been parked for over a year. Could the noise have been caused by old or dirty fluid? Should I attempt to change or flush it? Can someone send a link on how to flush this system or give some instruction? Thanks...

[madmanmapper]

http://autorepair.about.com/library/a/1i/bl672i.htm Read that. Yeah, I wouldn't suggest a flush unless your fluid is truly filthy. Hehe that guy recommends trans fluid too. Run your engine for a couple of minutes, turn it off, and look in the p/s reservoir with a flashlight. If it's filthy, it'll be a solid, not-transparent, nasty brownish color. If it's decent, it'll be pretty much clear / transparent and the color of the fluid you use (mine is red because it's trans fluid ). You could just take the hose from the reservoir off the pump and let the fluid fall down, put it back on, and refill with fresh trans fluid. According to my dad, trans fluid cleans up dirt better than normal hydraulic fluid.

[doug2060]

Issue resolved. Damn tension pulley had dirt in it.