When I turn on my car, it sounds like a dying caprice classic from the 80s. I can hear it most when I idle. Took it to a shop today, he told me it was my alternator. A couple other shop guys told me it was the o-rings on my power steering pump. I thought there should be some indication that there was air getting into the pump if the o-rings are shot, so I looked, and everything seems fine. I don't know what the heck is wrong but it sounds so horrible...getting embarrassed to drive it...what do you think the problem is???

 

is it most when the car's idling? Sounds like the alternator or one of the belts

 

Apparently, if you take the power steering belt off, its super easy to tell whether its the power steering pump or the alternator...guess i'll be doing that asap

 

If fluid level is OK, check for a small leak in the suction hose from reservoir to pump. This may allow air to be pulled in when pump is running. A dirty, partially blocked filter in bottom of the reservoir might enhance this affect.

good luck

 

Wow....