Johnny2003TL-S

The TLS has 160k on it now and I decided to get some work done. A great little shop, that comes highly recommended by a lot of folks did my timing belt, front and rear struts, brakes, sway bar links, etc. All totally shot parts. When I picked it up I heard the Acura Power Steering Growl. This progressed to a really loud steering pump, but it drove like a dream with all the new parts. I brought it back and he told me the pump was shot. He put in a rebuilt one for the cost of the part ($225). I picked it up and the steering was incredibly stiff at low speed, and almost impossible to turn at low speed. He said come back. He swapped out the pump again and flushed the heck out of the system, checked the hoses, power washed it. There's been a leak around the reservoir since the initial work was done. It worked perfect on the test drive and perfect when I got in the car. Then it locked up again and the mechanic felt it. I left pretty ticked off.

Now in the mornings, it works perfectly for a few errands. Right now it's great. When I get in the car after the coffee shop, the power steering is out again. The repair shop is not blowing me off. They want to put a genuine new Acura pump in, charging only the difference in pump price. He said he does not want to mess around with rebuilt or aftermarket, and me coming back and forth and being frustrated. Also that his next strategy is to assume this will fix it.

Why is this an on and off issue? What about air getting in? Is it the pump? I did not have a steering problem before the car had any work done....

I also have an appointment with Honda for a 1 hour diagnostic at $120, and think I want them to see and diagnose it before buying more parts. This is getting $$$$$. Suggestions please. Thank you.

thoiboi

It could be a bad pump or a leak elsewhere causing air to get in the system. I wouldn't hesitate going OEM. Hopefully it isn't a leak in the rack somewhere . Sounds like your mechanic is fairly honest and on the right track, I would cancel the dealer appointment and let him finish his troubleshooting

Johnny2003TL-S

Thank you. First, yes there is a small leak in the rack, they showed me but said it's ok.

Seems like Acura agrees with you. I just contacted the Acura dealer and the parts guy told me the Type S is finicky about what pump it has, and many suppliers do not differentiate between pumps. He said unless it is designated Type S that it is almost definitely the problem. New is $850, rebuilt Acura $528 available tomorrow. I'll be refunded the $225 for the aftermarket and end up spending $300 more for the part only, no labor. Anyone know how to get one cheaper? $528

thoiboi

Oemacuraparts.com

Johnny2003TL-S

Acurapartsnow: Genuine Remanufactured Acura Pump, $419 including core (I guess my core is gone). The dude there said it's important for me to know if this is rack or not before doing this....

thoiboi

I like your mechanic He's actually troubleshooting rather than throwing parts at it.

https://www.oemacuraparts.com/oem-pa...QtYXV0b21hdGlj


359.09 here

Johnny2003TL-S

1

Johnny2003TL-S

My guy charges $400 for the timing belt, the pulleys, labor, out the door. He's been using the same kit for 10 years. My timing belt came out perfect, but did they mess up my steering in the process?? I'm sure 95% of his timing belts are perfect. He advertising as a timing belt specialist. That's cheap.