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Power Steering Sadness

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Old Nov 7, 2011 | 12:21 PM
  #1  
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Default Power Steering Sadness

Started my car up this morning and I noticed the power steering pump was whining like a little girl. So I figured, it must be low on fluid. On my way to work, I stop at a gas station and pick up some fluid. Surprisingly, the reservoir was full to the top, however, the fluid was red and soupy, slightly chunky. The noise went away completely when the car warmed up. (It was definitely the power steering pump).

So - should I siphon out that nasty fluid, cycle through some new stuff, and call it a day? Or do I have a bigger problem?
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Old Nov 7, 2011 | 01:43 PM
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I would wait and see if it does it again, if so Swap the fluid ,,the whining noise is usually the pump cavitating,,fluid should be clear to a light brown, never seen red, unless someone put som stop leak in it.
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Old Nov 7, 2011 | 01:58 PM
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I would definitely get the nasty fluid out. May require a couple of flushes to get it all.
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Old Nov 7, 2011 | 09:55 PM
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Sounds like your PS cooler might be letting coolant in...

check your coolant for signs of PS fluid.
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Old Nov 8, 2011 | 04:17 AM
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^^ This.

Replace that damned factory cooler with an external cooler, and put a regular non-PS upper radiator hose on before your pump takes a complete **** on you.

They aren't cheap.
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