Powersteering pump...... (Question)
 

What would cause one to fail?? I have been going through accessory belts like crazy lately... The belt squeals almost everytime on start up and whenever I turn the steering wheel... The belt is tight, I check it regularly....

What's this "O-Ring" in the PS Pump? Is that the thing that fails in the pump most often??

How much do pumps usually go for? Is it worth trying to replace the o-ring first before replacing the pump? Anyone who has done both know the average prices for parts? I'm pretty sure that I could do all the labor...

First, make sure the belt is not TOO tight and that there is ample fluid.

When my pump went out, I bought a replacement on ebay and it was a fairly straightforward install. Just make sure to get all of the old fluid out first using a turkey baster to suck it out, then run the car, and repeat a few times.

The oring is between the resivor and the pump. Try that first if you want since orings are so cheap. If that doesnt work, buy a pump on ebay and then put that new oring on there, and install the pump.

O-Ring Replacement

Is it the belt thats squealing or the actual pump? If it's the belt then I don't think the O-ring is going to make much of a difference, but its worth a shot. Make sure you don't have the belt too tight, and once the belt starts to squeal if you don't stop it right away the friction will create a glaze on it and its always going to squeal.

Expect to pay about $75-$100 for a used pump.

Is it common for a powersteering pump to go out in 100,000 miles?

I've actually never really heard of a pump failing in that manner (although I have heard of a few developing leaks). Usually any of the problems I've seen have been a result of the O-ring, a wrong size belt, or an improperly tightened belt.

Do ya reckon that if the fluid just sits in the pump for about 2 years that it could go back and damage the pump? The motor is out of a car that was wrecked... It had been sitting for about 2 years when I got the engine... That is really the only thing that I can think of... :rolleyes:

is there a tennsioner <SP?> pully, i cant rember my car is outside and im being lazy!...mabie that is going out?

Yeah... thought about that too... :rolleyes:.... Possibly I could replace that, drain the PS and replace the fluid with some new fresh stuff... See where that puts me... If that isn't it then I guess it is the pump... Would this be an accurate asumption?

I've already replaced the Alternator 2 times to see if that was the problem... But no effect... So that rules it out... Only leaves the tensioner and the PS pump...

Definitely replace the O-ring Chris....it cost's 50 cents....and takes 15 minutes....

The important thing will be to determin exactly where the belt is slipping. Try removing the belt and turning the pullies by hand to find a bad one. The should all be quiet and turn freely. The type of belt adjusters used by subaru and a lot of imports make it easy to overtighten a belt causing premature failure of accessories, and yes crank pullies. I hope this can help and good luck.;)

Don't be too concerned about that ring unless it is leaking. If you do mess with the pump at all, then yes replace it for sure.

I would check that the pulleys are all freely spining and quiet. After that, consider the tension you have and the brand of belt you are using. Is the belt actually glazed or is it simply shreading?

If it is shredding and the pulleys are all fine... are you sure you are tightening the bolt enough on the idler pulley? Not the one that pushes it into place, but the one in middle of the pulley. Also try tightening it with the belt OFF and testing for noise/sieze.

You should do this first, all thing considered. Air in the system does create a strange noises for sure, as I can vouch for from experience. In my case it sounded like the equivalent of water hammer, which makes sense.

There is unlikely to be any visible evidence of the O ring leaking, as the problem is the entry of air not a loss of fluid. The effect is understandable as air can be compressed, where as fluid can not.