P/S Whine on cold start up (TSB)-FYI
 

I noticed on a very cold morning I had a power steering whine/moan. As I was driving to work the noise was going away. Arriving at work I decided to look at the power steering fluid. It was a bit foamy.. So where was the "Air" coming from. Being an Automotive Technician, I was able to look up all current TSB's. I located the perfect match.

This 0-ring took me about 2 min's to swap. It's about 50 cents from acura. Here is the TSB.
---------------------------------------------------------

07-060

December 1, 2007

Applies To:
2004-07 TL - ALL

Power Steering Moans or Whines

SYMPTOM

A moan or whine is heard when turning the steering wheel when the engine is cold. There may be air bubbles or foam in the power steering reservoir. The noise usually goes away when the engine warms up.

PROBABLE CAUSE

Air enters the power steering pump through the inlet joint 0-ring.

CORRECTIVE ACTION

Replace the 0-ring on the power steering pump inlet joint.

PARTS INFORMATION

0-ring: P/N 91345-RDA-A01

REQUIRED MATERIALS

Acura Power Steering Fluid: P/N 08206-9002 (One container repairs about 12 vehicles.)

WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION

In warranty:
The normal warranty applies.

Operation Number: 5121B5

Flat Rate Time: 0.3 hour
Failed Part: P/N 91345-PAA-A01
Defect Code: 07408
Symptom Code: 04201
Template ID: 07-060A
Skill Level: Repair Technician

REPAIR PROCEDURE

http://www.alldatapro.com/alldata/PR...5881/134795882

http://www.alldatapro.com/alldata/PR...5881/134795883

1. Remove the right side engine compartment cover

2. Remove the bolt holding the inlet joint to the power steering pump housing.

3. Place a shop towel under the pump inlet.

4. Twist the inlet joint back and forth until it is loose, then carefully disconnect the joint and point the hose upward to minimize fluid loss.

5. Remove the inlet joint 0-ring.

6. Apply power steering fluid to a new 0-ring, and install it on the inlet joint.

7. Install the inlet joint, and torque its bolt to 11 N.m (8 lb-ft).

8. Top off the power steering fluid, if needed. Start the engine, and let it idle. Confirm that the noise is gone and that the system is operating properly.

9. Install the right side engine compartment cover.

nice 1 Gus!!

sweeeeeeeeeeet....thanks for this... :thumbsup:

at first i thought it was my CAI making that noise for being cold...then after turning my wheels a few times i figured it was my power steering fluid...

bump :thumbsup:

It's getting colder!

Awesome thanks for the headsup, will def. book mark this just in case.

good look...ive been hearing this noise since its been cold but couldnt figure out the problem!

I found the actual TSB (technical service bulletin) 07-060.
http://www.in.honda.com/Rjanisis/pubs/SB/b07-060.pdf

I asked Pleasanton Acura for a price quote and they came back with $175.00. Instead of leaving them my car, I went to Parts and bought an O-ring for $2.17. I went home and followed the TSB. 15 mins later, it was done. The next morning at 42F, I started my TL and the noise is gone. That was the day before Xmas 2008.

i have same whining noise that started when it got cold here in cincy. my fluid level is at spec... when i cut the wheel back and forth the pump whines worse and the wheel drags. in the cases above was the whine from air getting past the seal? mine is definitely a "low fluid' type sound. i cant imagine a seal would fix my issue? gonna get under the car today to see whats up.d

thanks

I had the recall done i had the wineing also but after acura delt with the problem its been all good

awesome.....i was at the dealer about two weeks ago and i showed the guy the problem and it wouldnt make the same sound cause the car was all warm but he didnt know about any tsb....i guess i gotta go back and see em again.

My car sounded just as bad. The only way I knew it was air bound was when I was driving the car and everything warmed up the noise went away.

I had the same whining sound since last week, and I got the recall work done at dealer, and now the problem is resolved

Just an FYI...I had the recall done a while back and last month, started hearing the whine. Dealer had to replace the p/s pump again.

Has anyone had the TSB work done and still experiencing this problem? I ask because, supposedly the dealership did this work on my car over a year ago, but I still have this problem (noise on cold mornings and foamy looking P/S fluid). I recall them mentioning a hose, but not the O-ring. Do these O-rings go bad???

It'll go bad again. I'm not sure if the replacement O-ring that Majofo suggested are any different, but as of yet...they seem to be working for EVERYONE. They must be :shrug: they are a different color, but iono...
Pick one up from your local HONDA dealer (cheaper...by 10x)

WayneJay,

Yeah, I hear you man. I had the re-call done immediately when it was first announced. I fixed the problem via Majofo's DIY roughly a month ago. I've been problem free since; I don't have such a hard time turning the steering wheel either...which is a nice plus. As I mentioned in the prior post, it's A LOT cheaper if you go to your local Honda dealer - most likely won't have in stock, but mine took 3 days to get in...no biggie. THE PROBLEM with the old O-rings - over time, they shrink and distort, letting air into the reservoir/system. You lose pressure (I think that's what it is) and you hear the whine.............it gets harder to turn the wheel too.

They replaced the P/S hose due to a recall. The Noise your having is related to this TSB. Yes 0-ring lose their shape. They tend to deform therefore allowing a leak or in this case air in the p/s system. It's a 60 cent 0-ring and takes approx 3 mins or less to change. All that's required a stubby (Small) 10mm wrench if you decided to do this yourself.

FYI - They do replace the O-ring during the P/S recall work.

I had this work done at Rosenthal Acura yesterday. I'm not sure if they did it as goodwill or what, as I have an AcuraCare extended warranty. This morning when I started my car it was 36 degrees and got no power steering whine.

While there I saw a ZDX parked outside. I think it's a strange animal, but I don't dislike as much as when I saw it in pics.

Not all O-rings replaced under TSB
 

I noticed in a later TSB that many times when the power steering hose was replaced, the O-ring was not. If the old O-ring is black it was not replaced.
I bought a CPO 2006 TL that noted that the power steering TSB was done but I am getting the whine in the morning. I have to assume that they didn't replace the O-ring at that time or I need a new pump.

Cheers
mrjazz

Out of curiosity, how cold is it exactly when your power steering whine occurs/occured? I had the recall work done last year (after the my hose actually cracked :( ) But I still get a whining noise when my engine is cold on extremely cold days - starting at around 0 degrees F. I don't think it's related to the power steering because there is no more or less noise when the wheel is turned.

I'm glad everyone has found this repair to be easy! Why is it so difficult for me? There is a great video regarding the steps to this as well :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf-_qp1y4yc
He says 1/4 inch swivel socket but for me 10mm fits - however there is very little room to work - the knuckle on my swivel socket will not fit, nor a gear wrench or stubby unless I can find an open ended adjustable head. The needle head pliers are starting to strip the bolt. Could you please tell me the exact size and brand of tool you used? Mine is a 2004 TL 6 speed standard - it seems the casing of the tube is blocking the access to the bolt. (i"m working on grinding that down unless you have a better idea)
Seriously appreciate your help. The concept is easy but I need the correct tools!