Camaroguy

iTrader: (2)

So ive been batteling this problem throughout the summer. My Power steering fluid keeps disappearing and also turning into a milky color. The car also whines when im driving turning the wheel left / right. Sometimes i get this PS leak which leaks into my garage floor, but most of the time i keep having to refill the fluid without any leaks. Sometimes it leaks onto the floor but most of the time it drains somewhere ?

I've done some research on this forum and people are pointing to power steering cooler. Some people even suggest removing the steering cooler all together. Will this fix my problem ? Is this recommended doing in california weather. Why not replace the power steering cooler ?

Thanks for any input

_JB_

iTrader: (33)

Have you checked your coolant? The two might be mixing together.

bad6as

iTrader: (17)

i bet the power steering cooler is leaking, very common on these cars. you could by pass it or replace it. some f-body never had them from the start

Camaroguy

iTrader: (2)

This could also be causing the whine from the power steering when i turn the steering wheel ?

5301113

iTrader: (18)

Your right mine did that ....let me get a link

5301113

iTrader: (18)

https://ls1tech.com/forums/general-m...reservior.html.


Read this hope it helps

TAtoad

iTrader: (22)

the whine comes from either the pump being low on fluid, or it had previously ran on low fluid for a while and damaged the pump slightly

Camaroguy

iTrader: (2)

thanks for the help guys. I appreciate the input.

Do you guys happen to know the part number for the power steering cooler ?

Do you guys happen to know the part number for the regulare coolant hose without the power steering cooler, incase i decide to go this route ? Where can i get this hose ? GM ? Autozone ?

Thanks again

ghardester

A milky color in any oil based product is usually water. It is stressing the pump, which will probably fail soon. That's just my two cents.

Camaroguy

iTrader: (2)

Anyone know the part numbers ?

Update:

I no longer have power steering on my car. Seems like im not getting the wine sound anymore, but the power steering is completly gone. I noticed it this morning after i fired up the car and drove away. Which parts am i looking to replace now ?

5301113

iTrader: (18)

http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/catalog/frameset.cfm

P/s cooler - 5.7 liter 1998-02 w/cooler - 5.7 liter 1998-02 w/cooler

Try that

Camaroguy

iTrader: (2)

P/s cooler - 8 cylinder, 1998-02 - 8 cylinder, 1998-02 Around $110.00 Looking @ the diagram its part number 11.

Thanks for the help.

Btw, will this give me back my power steering or is that now broken too ?

5301113

iTrader: (18)

Yeah that the part...it such fix the power steering. Make sure you flush your coolant.

2KnbmTA

iTrader: (3)

get a cheap tranny cooler from summit, use that as a p/s cooler, you most likely have a leak somewhere because these cars always do. if your not getting power steering you will probably have to replace the pump, if i were you i would go with the turn one power steering pump, the stocker pumps have temp problems (under certain conditions of course). the turn one is more efficient, in that you will have lower p/s fluid temps, its less of a load on the engine, and its a little underboosted than the factory one (which means you'll have a little harder steering)

Camaroguy

iTrader: (2)

is there a specific power steering fluid that i should be using ? or any one i should be staying away from ? Synthetic or does it matter ?

5301113

iTrader: (18)

Doesn't matter which one just not a cheap brand. If you stay with regular keep the regular dont mix synthetic with regular. You have to flush the system if you go synthetic.

Camaroguy

iTrader: (2)

update:

so i finally installed my new power steering cooler. Replaced the power steering fluid with some stuff from Autozone (valvoline) Flushed the radiator a few times, and im back at square one. The car still whines when im driving turning the wheel left / right. The power steering fluid already turned the same coffee color as before. Any other recommendation on what this problem is ?

SladeX

You do realize that the lines to the power steering tap directly into a tube that goes to the rad?

https://ls1tech.com/forums/8818958-post10.html

This is where it will mix. There's no other spot for it to get coolant into it, so either you have old fluid in the system, or this pipe is leaking again.

Camaroguy

iTrader: (2)

Yes i do realize this... This is the part i just installed (new). I have no fluid left in the power steering reservoir. I just filled it up with new fluid. I tryed to suck out the old fluid with a mightyvak, but there was none.

GMRL

I replaced the power steering lines on a Grand Prix not too long ago.
A lot of air gets in there when you mess with that stuff. I think theres a couple ways to bleed the lines. The way it worked for me is I would make sure the fluid level was good. Then I would turn the car on and turn the wheel lock to lock then shut it off. If you look in the resorvoir you should see air bubbles rising out. Wait a couple mintues and repeat until the fluid looks normal. It worked for me.