ashish82

I have 99 acura 3.2TL with 108,000 miles on it. I recently got the timing belt and water pump changed. I also got the power steering fluid changed as my mechanic suggested that it was dirty. Now the pump makes a constant hissing noise and squeals a little bit on turning.

Mechanic says that the power steering fluid was so dirty that the pump has worn out causing the noise but i never heard this noise before. Why is it coming only after replacing the fluid and not before. The belt on the pump does not slip also. Any suggestions on whats going on with the pump?

-ashish

fsttyms1

Did he over tighten the belt? Is the fluid topped off? Is the belt loose? All could be symptoms

ashish82

The fluid is well above the upper level mark in the reservoir. Could you suggest how to check if the belt is loose or tight.


thanks
ashish

01tl4tl

First thing to do is grab a turkey baster and suck the overfull fluid down to just below full when cold and engine OFF

Next- put a piece of cardboard under each front wheel- that reduces friction so you can turn the wheel all the way each direction- slowly as if making wide u turn-do this a few times- if any air is trapped in the lower part of the steering rack- that gets it out for you.
Recheck fluid level afterwards!!

other than that, take it back and ask then to recheck the belt tension
Sometimes techs will set them too tight thinking the belt does stretch a little bit as it gets seated in- a few miles put on it
Or the belt was put on at spec but it got a little loose

Is this your regular mechanic that you trust?
Go to a 2nd place and ask them what is the noise before replacing the pump
Its possible that sludge and gunk was holding it together, not real likely though- you dont hear about many ps failures here but it can happen
Can also be a leak or wearout in the steering rack

My money is on- recheck the techs work- if not an acura/honda specialist they may have missed a bolt or used the wrong belt??? something on install
Any good shop will want to get the car back and inspected again- better to help you that have you go online and tell everyone the shops name and address and warn of poor quality

Was HONDA power steering fluid used- these cars are picky about certain fluids and that is one of them

ashish82

Thanks for the detailed reply. I will check the things suggested by you. The mechanic is local one and he said that he has used BG synthetic power steering fluid ( which he claims is compatible with honda). He also claims that he has checked the tension in the belt.

I will go back to him on monday and see if he can help before going to a second mechanic. But i will definetly go to a second mechanic before replacing the pump.

thanks
ashish

01tl4tl

I would tell him to use the correct Honda ps fluid and see if that fixes the problem.
Anyone else here ever tried BG???
I only knew they make a gas cleaner!

01tl4tl

compatible and MADE FOR are very different
The Honda transmission fluid and the power steering fluid contain special additives that other brands may not or do not.
Thats how they get you to buy their stuff
This does not mean that other brands are no good for other cars- just the TL is picky!!
Ask him what spark plugs he uses on a TL- that should be good for a laugh here too!

Doesnt sound like the tech is a honda specialist, and he uses whatever product a salesman came by and gave the shop owner the best=== lowest cost to the shop owner - deal for products.

Guys come by every week trying to undercut whatever supplier you have, and show you some mystery oil additive that will solve whatever problems you want it too----

Then you wave the invisable magic wand and gas prices drop to 1 dollar a tankful!!!
But thats just my opinion based on years of working in the auto repair biz

NighthawkBlack

replace the return hoses or just check them to make sure you are not getting air at the pump or the ends from the plastic reservoir. Whenever I have put stress on them, I have had to dry off the hose ends on the inside and slide them on after bleeding the system. If you dont want to bleed it, take a turky basser and something to catch the oil that comes out after the lower hose is removed. Then clean everything and use new hose clips.

01tl4tl

OP paid someone to do a PS flush- and then the problems began

ashish82

I took the car to the mechanic again today. We tried to check for everything that people suggested here but could not fix the problem. BG synthetic fluid is fine because I called the Acura dealer and they said that they use the same stuff. However for my satisfaction i got the honda Power streering fluid and got it replaced after flushing and the noise persisted.

Since the noise began only after replacement of the fluid, the mechanic has agreed to replace the pump at his cost. I hope to get a noise free car tomorrow.

thanks everyone

rob-2

sounds like a decent mechanic, many wouldn't replace the pump on a 9 yearold car.

01tl4tl

a good lesson to all on changing fluid early like the book says
years of use and its history like changing the trans fluid at 100k- asking for trouble

Send your mechanic a box of ice cream treats as thanks for doing it at cost