Power Steering...What Did I do Wrong?

[blk-betty]

While searching for the cause of a minor problem that I fixed I think I created another one.

Noticed one of the lower return line rubber hoses for the power steering was weeping so I removed it and replaced with a new piece of tubing. During the change it leaked about 1/4 of a quart.

However, when I was finished the resevior still said full at the cold mark so I started it it up and had no power steering at all.

Adding a small amount of fluid and now I have power steering but the pump is making a loud sound like it is very low on fluid.

I added enough fluid so the level at the reservior is now at the hot max level but still makes a lot of noise like the pump is starved for fluid.

What do I do now?

 

[Acidmeld]

If the ps pump was run dry that noise may not go away.

 

[blk-betty]

Really don't know if the pump was run "dry" or not. I assumed the 1/4 quart that was lost during the hose exhange was on the downside or low pressure side of the pump.

Wierd thing is that when I first started it up there was literally no power steering but at the same time no noise.

The noise only started after the steering became easy again like normal.


Well after letting it sit for 30 minutes, I started it up again and that time not near as much noise, so I drove it around the block and the level in the resevoir dropped to cold minimum...so added more to get back to hot maximum.

Drove around the block again and the noise was almost gone. Checked the level and it was above hot max so I used a syringe and extracted about 30 ml out and the fluid was cloudy with hundreds of tiny air bubbles.

Let it sit another 20 minutes then drove about 10 miles and now don't think I hear any more noise. There is the slightest sound that probably was there all along and now I'm just paranoid.

So my guess is that there was air in the system and the pump was "cavitating" until enough fluid was present to expell the air.

Hopefully all is well now.