I have a 2001 Acura TL. Replaced the alternator serpentine belt and now have a loud whining noise coming from the power steering pump. The reservoir also over flowed. I looked in it and it was very frothy. I was starting to hear a little noise prior to the belt replacement but nothing like this. It was also immediate. Are these two things related?

I have read in other posts where the PS fluid needs to be replaced. Or am I just going to have to replace the PS pump.

Any advice is appreciated.

 

It's most likely the p/s pump inlet o-ring. All you have to do is touch the inlet line, and they go bad. It's a real common problem; the dealer stocks the o-rings; they're just a few bucks. Also, you could have overtightened the belt, and it's sucking air in through the pump shaft seal.

 

Yeah, try the simple stuff like TLer trash suggested.
It may be a good idea to check out the "DIY"s for info on replacing the PS fluid.

 

I had the same issue with my 99 3.2 TL, I could never find out what the issue was. Mine started when I had a leak and was losing PS fluid. I added PS fluid with a sealer and the wining got worse. Never fixed it because I purchased an 06 MDX. Just thought any info might help

 

Hey Elderado145......ya should've checked with us, could've helped ya fix the TL and save money from the necessity of another car payment.

But, now that ya got the MDX, the "MDX" forum will be of benefit to ya down the road.
For future reference: Stay away from those "fixes" in a bottle, as they usually don't work very well.

 

I actually JUST had this happen last week. But the noise started as less than a whining, and almost like a grinding noise. I popped the hood and listened and I could have swore it was coming from the alternator. Drove to Auto Zone, and they threw the tester on, said the alternator was bad. So I bought an alternator and put it on. Noise was still there, only louder. Turned off the car and notice the power steering reservoir overflowing. Quick check online tracked it down to the o-ring. $2 vs. $130.

Of course when I went to get the o-ring from the dealership that's when it really started to sound like a power steering whine. SMH, $130 down the drain. But hey, it's got a shining new alternator now.

 

Good info regarding the o-ring. I should think it would be very easy to replace since access isn't an issue.
Every 3-4 years I siphon out the fluid reservoir and pour in some fresh fluid. Use only the Honda/Acura fluid and pick up two containers. That's enough to do the process a couple times with a little left over.

 

There is less room than you might think. I actually had much better luck removing the hose from the neck, and moving the power steering reservoir along with the bracket it attaches to out of the way. It took about an hour after I spent a little time messing with different angles and tools to get in there with. In the end. Moving those things and a 10mm wrench did the trick.

 

I just had this issue with my 06 under TSB 07-060 O-ring is letting air into the system. Mine went away when the car warmed up, but if you are seeing bubbles or foam my guess is its air. The O-ring costed $0.70. I was stuck in NY and had to have the dealer put it in because I had no tools and it was a half hour labor. Its definitely a good cheap start.

 

I have recently experienced the exact same thing through the exact same scenario as the OP. From this diagram, which O-ring is it? Any help would be appreciated.

 

Or did I post the wrong picture? Is it number 34 in this picture?

 

Nevermind. Figured it out for myself.

 

Hey Jr_deleon, thanks for posting the diagram detailing the various PS hose lines.
May be of help to others needing to visualize the system.

 

Thank you. Just put it up for those who may have never seen it before. I figured it out when I looked at the same pump at the junkyard. I too it apart, sized up the bad o-ring to those in my o-ring box, and found a match. Once I put it all together (replacing the suction hose as well I sourced from a wrecked CL-S) and turned it on the sound was gone. Took less than 10 minutes.