So, I was returning home from Santa Cruz. I pulled over to the Garlic Shoppe to get some stuff. As I turned the wheel, there was a loud whining noise. Cant explain what it sounds like. After I stopped and got out the car, It like somthing was burning. Inside and out the car. Im unsure if it was just the environment or the car its self. It went away after I pulled off. I got home and there was no complaining from the steering. When the noise is present, it changed with engine speed. I mostly do city driving, and the noise never comes up.

 

check your power steering fluid level, pump, and belt

 

Im planning to go the Pismo Beach next month and I dont want my steering to break

 

You are quick to respond.

Ill chech the stuff in a hour. I want the engine bay to cool a little bit.

 

I don't have a life

 

I didn't mean to offend you if I did.

 

nah, just some self-deprecating humor

 

Ok.I checked the power steering full thing if that servers as a reservoir. There seems to be fluid in there. I saw 'LOWER LEVEL' and 'UPPER LEVEL' The fluid was below both if them. And I dont know what im looking for either. I saw the washer fluid thing too.

 

So looks like you're low on fluid. Go get some Honda PSF AND FILL HER UP!

 

That makes plenty of sense. After a while, its whining for fluid. So, I should fill it to the 'UPPER LEVEL' as I think it servers as a 'maximum level' thing right?

 

 

Where's your leak? Or are you planning on filling it up every now and then?

 

What leak? After I left the garlic shoppe, I smelled no burning. I'm planning on going to the Honda dealer to get the power steering hose recall done if it hasnt. I got the car April and there was no noise.

 

Well power steering shouldn't be low, unless it leaked out.

 

Well, im not sure what would cause it to be low. I have no reason to think there is any leaking going on. All I know is that it is just low and I need more fluid.

 

I had a similar situation. Had to make a run to Chicago from Milwaukee and when I got back, my PS was whining for more fluid. Filled it up when I got home and haven't had an issue since. No clue what caused this... Still boggles my mind as to where the fluid went!

 

I think we got a TL mystery...

 

There has to be a leak.
The leak can be at a hose or the pump, without any fluid dropping onto the ground. Look at the side and bottom of the engine for dampness-- that's a fluid leak.

My TL has a steering pump leak, but the fluid evaporates before it hits the ground. I have to add a couple of ounces every oil change.

Welcome to AZ.

 

Dear oh dear. I didnt know all that. SO IT COULD be a leak w/o any fluid on the floor... Well, I have yet to get the hose recall done. I got the car april and wasnt worried about it until I heard the noise. Last time I checked, the hoses looked fine. Do you think it could be the steering pump?

 

I'm not sure if this was correlated but after the noise started, the air bubbles must have blew some seals because my steering rack was leaking. Air is not a good hydraulic fluid.

 

Insufficient hydraulic fluid can damage/blow seals on the pump?

 

and can it damage the pump its self?

 

Can't tell the leak source without the location of the leaked fluid/wetness. Hose appearance doesn't correlate to whether the hose is good or bad.

The recall is for the high pressure steering hose and for a low-side O-ring. The recall was to prevent a leak and potential fire from the fluid dripping onto hot engine/exhaust parts and igniting. If the high pressure PS hose has a part black rubber, part silver flex-hose sleeve over it near the firewall on the passenger side, then the recall work was done. If not, get it done ASAP.
A leak from the low side hose, the pump or reservoir would be less of a safety issue, but is annoying if the power steering starts to whine from air in the system.

 

I looked and here is what I found. Was the hose recall done? Hose recall workdone?

 

Yes, that looks like the post-recall hose/sleeve.

Feel around the power steering reservoir and attached hoses for wetness/damp dirt-- if there is any, it'll lead to the leak.
Hopefully, it'll be a leak at the O-ring on the short hose from the reservoir to the pump, which would be a $1 part and 10 minute fix for a newbie.

 

Ill do that tomorrow. I did get the fluid filled to the 'LOWER LEVEL' I shall see if it the fluid goes down.

If I find a leak, how would I drain it to pull the hose and put in the new O-ring?

 

Heads up: Just because they replaced the high pressure hose during the TSB doesn't mean that they did all of the steps in the TSB. There were numerous cases where the Acura techs totally blew off changing the inlet O-ring as required by the TSB. It's a 45-cent part and if it's not orange, then the losers didn't replace it.

 

Ok. If I see that the fluid is leaking, I should check the o-ring, if its not orange I should get it replaced.

 

I did all the looking for damp dirt and dampness. There was no dampness present, just got my hands dirty.

 

And I filled the Fluid to the 'UPPER LEVEL'