First off let me start by thanking absolutely everyone who posted here and helped me out.
So last evening I poured in the Pentosin CHF 11 S into the power steering fluid reservoir; took about half a liter or so of the bottle to bring it to the "Cold" marking on the measuring stick. After wrapping up the engine compartment, gave it about 20 minutes to sit and fired up the car. Absolutely no noise! I had noise up to the point where I went to the O'Reilly Auto Parts store to pick up the fluid. So it was a noticeable difference. However, as I stated in my original problem - the noise used to eventually go away. So I wasn't convinced problem is necessarily over.
Real test was starting the car first time in the morning. That is exactly what I did this morning. Absolutely NO NOISE! Drove the car a little, just cannot replicate the noise anymore. Unquestionably, as it appears for now, unless the problem reappears - the bone dry power steering fluid was the problem. Refilling it seems to have resolved it.
This saved me a trip to the shop and some chunk of money, since the car is no longer under warranty and everything would be out of pocket.
This is the second time now folks here have helped me diagnose and resolve an issue which otherwise would warrant a trip to the shop.
THANKS everyone for your input, advise and help.
Quote:
Originally Posted by paulofto
Hmmmmm if the fluid is down substantially it could mean a few things that need checking further like a leaking fluid reservoir, steering pump or line. If the fluid is not down a whole lot and topping it off gets rid of the noise you might be golden but it doesn't explain why it was low. It's not like brake pads wearing and you get low on brake fluid.
|
That is a good question. I don't have the answer to that, and it is concerning. The car is about 11 years old and I'm the second owner. I've owned it for about 3 years now. I don't believe the fluid has ever been checked so I'm not sure when exactly the fluid emptied, or if it was ever checked / replenished in the 11 year life span of the vehicle. I'm really not sure.
At some point I plan on checking the fluid level, and also keep an ear out for the noise to reappear.
Thanks guys!