So I took the car into an Acura dealer for an oil change and came out with a list of problems. Took the list to my trusty repair guy and he said I indeed needed new brakes (front, not back like Acura said) and new motor mounts.

Left the car in the shop while I was out of town. When I drove it away from the shop, it was making this crazy noise every time I turned the wheel. A moan like a dying cow. Never heard that sound before.

Called my mechanic, he said it was probably just air bubbles in the power steering column (pump? don't remember) and it should disappear after I drove it a while. That didn't work, so I brought it back in. He tried to "bleed it", that didn't work.

Now he says my power steering cylinder valve needs to be replaced.

What I'd like to know is, a) does that sound right? and b) is it just coincidence that this happened now, or is it related to the motor mount repair?

 

Sounds like a PS pump problem. You could try replacing all of the O-rings, or just get a used pump from a salvage on eBay. If it's not the pump, then you might be in for some costly repairs. Is it leaking?

How did he burp the system? Take off the cap and turn the wheels from left lock to right lock? When you do this, have someone look at the PS reservoir. There are three tubes leaving the reservoir. One big one that goes to the PS pump, and two small ones. If the liquid level dips low enough to pass the top small one, then try adding more fluid.

Most PS pumps fail by over tightening the PS belt.

 

The noise is deffenetly power steering issue. My CL somehow ran out of PS fluid last year, so I had the line replaced and its made that noise ever since(Not anywhere as bad as when it was going empty). So maybe they cliped the line or had to disconect it and got air in it?? Not sure about the power steering valve. If you end up having it replaced and it fixes the problem, post back so I can get mine checked. Also one of my buddys said that if the power steering system gets messed up it ussally will never be the same, thats why I dont worry about mine making a slight noise now. I'm sure someone whose more mechanically inclined will post a more accurate answer.

 

Oh, and it's an 01 CL 3.2

 

My PS system was whack. I tried replacing O-ring and whatnot, and it didn't work. It made a WHINE noise when turning, and eventually got worse.

My PS system is now perfectly fine, so it's definitely possible to fix it. I changed the PS pump and the outlet hose. (Get a mech to do it. Not worth it DIY)

 

hmm, mine just started recently doing the same thing, and my fluid is great, so maybe i just need to replace the pump.

on another note, i think we should have a thread based on noises. Seriously, there are so many things that can go wrong on a car, but certain noises usually are all related to certain things...just sayin

 

Thanks everyone for feedback. Love this forum.

FYI, I know NOTHING about what's under the hood. So speak slowly and clearly. ;-)

Was this an expensive fix?

And do you think it's just coincidence that it happened immediately after he replaced the motor mounts and spark plugs or is it possible he did something inadvertantly that caused the problem?

The noise is not subtle. It's embarrassing to drive. It SCREECHES really loud, like something's grinding against something.

 

All I know is that I sat in the car with it running & turned the wheel a lot while they huddled under the hood. (Guess I should pay more attention). At a certain point it sounded like he had fixed the problem, because he was able to turn the wheel without noise. But he knew he hadn't coz he told me to come back later. Said it would take all day. Sure enough, when I drove away, the sound back louder than ever.

I did ask if it had to do with fluids and he said no, my fluid levels were fine.

 

Check the deflection on the ps belt. The pump will make noise if the belt is too tight. Its a rookie mistake.

 

Civicdrivr, you're right about that. The problem is that the damage has already been done. Reducing the tension probably won't fix it.

Pb06, take a flat screwdriver and put the handle end against your ear. Put the screwdriver part against the top of the PS pump. If the noise you hear is coming from that, then it should be an easy fix ($60). If not, you may be in for an expensive repair. I had the same problem as you, and it was my PS pump.

Here's a vid to help you (ignore my retarded stutter):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQJIyg18e8c

 

K,

I haven't done the screwdriver test but it did seem to me that the noise was coming from that belt. I'm not a DIYer when it comes to cars (although I wish now I'd taken an elective in high school!) so I'll have to ask my mechanic about it. He seemed to think it had to do with a valve he had to order.

So I'm confused. You said the damage has been done and it can't be fixed by loosening the belt. then you said it's an easy fix. did I miss something?

Is this something I need to take care of asap? He said it was fine to drive it this way but I'm nervous. Couldn't get into the shop this morning.

thanks

 

Deflection on the ps belt. You say that as if i'm not a girl. ;-)


ps: i'm a girl.

 

I just spoke with him again and he insists it's the valve, not the belt, not the o-rings. Does that make sense? No one here has mentioned the valve.

No one's weighed in on this question:

Do you think it's just coincidence that it happened immediately after he replaced the motor mounts and spark plugs or is it possible he did something inadvertantly that caused the problem?

I'm curious because he offered to do it, no charge which makes me suspect he's responsible for the problem. Or maybe he's just being a nice guy.

 

By deflection, I mean the amount of slack the belt has on it. I think it should be about 1/4" of movement, but I dont remember.

Im not sure what he means by valve, but if hes willing to fix it for free, let him. Just ask him afterward what was replaced/repaired and let us know

 

I didn't mean to imply it's coming from the belt. I meant that the noise is probably coming from the PS pump. That's what the turning wheel is connected to.

By easy fix, I meant replacing the PS pump. Took me about 20 minutes.

This problem definitely has nothing to do with the spark plugs, and most likely has nothing to do with the mounts. However, if he removed the PS belt to get to the side mount, I bet he overtightened the belt. That's probably what caused the problem

A lot of people have had your problem, and it's almost always the PS pump. I've never even heard of a valve anywhere. But if it's free, might as well try it. Just make sure to ask what he replaced exactly.

If you ignore the problem, the only side effect will be embarrassment. It won't affect your drive, unless it gets REALLY bad. Then your steering will become kind of hard, but the car will still run just fine. I drove mine like that for 6 months.

 

Ask him where the valve is located. If he already ordered the part, then he probably wants to replace it. He doesn't really have any other use for it.

Question to AZiners: Do you have to remove the PS belt to get to the side mount?

There's nothing a mechanic won't do for 5 dollars (no offense to anyone). They are definitely not known for doing charity work. However, I don't know him personally so you'll have to use your judgement.

 

you know with Honda P/S system, this fluid can cure quite a bit of noises....


http://www.valvoline.com/products/co...ring-fluid/109

 

Well, he said that replacing the valve didn't work, so he had to replace the whole pump. Which he did at no cost. Purring again. My mechanic's the best.

I'll check out that fluid.

Thanks for all your input. Am sure I'll be back on here soon. At 125k miles, things seem to start falling apart.

 

I told you it was the pump!

Yea, idk what "valve" he was talking about. 125k you say? Did you have your timing belt done at ~105k? I'm telling you, someone overtightened your PS belt. 99% sure that's what happened. It looks like the mechanic knows he did it, because no mech would replace the PS pump for free. The pump itself costs like $500.

He'll probably buy one from a junkyard car for ~$60. Still, no mechanic would just eat that because he's a nice guy.

 

I bought the car used about 5 years ago. I checked at the time because this model had a recall on the timing belt. The previous owner had taken it in for a replacement at about 55,000 miles I think. So that should hold me for a while, no?

thanks again for all your help.

Now I've blown a tire and am looking for recommendations for that. will start a new thread on that. Thanks much.

 

IIRC, the recall didnt cover timing belt replacement, only the tensioner.

 

nothing was wrong with the belt itself, so they would have not replaced it, unless the customer was going to pay for it separate/additional(they would get a discount though, since they already be in there though)

personally sounds like you don't like to spend money on maintenance on your car


btw the majority of blowouts on cars are either caused by underinflation, overloading, or wearing them down to the cords
basically with proper care and replacements when worn, blowouts rarely happen

 

I'm having a similar problem with my PS. This weekend the belt partially broke and when I checked it out under the hood there was PS fluid leaked out. It wasn't leaking from any of the hoses that I could see but the frayed belt was whipping around whacking everything in its path. The fluid also changed to a brown milky color like it got water mixed in (if thats possible). Turning the wheel makes the terrible noise.

Took it to my mechanic this morn and he claims I need a new PS pump, belts, possibly a new suction hose and a fluid flush. Hes quoting this all at max of $600 (possibly a bit cheaper) Does this sound reasonable?