Thursday, October 01, 2009 - 01:21 am, by: Peter Nitschke(Pen)
The pump may still be stuffed, but the froth tends to mean air in the fluid. Either it hasn't been bled out properly, or the level is too low, or there is a leak either letting fluid out or air in - or both.
Check the reservoir is full using it's dipstick.
Jack both side of the front so the front wheels are off the ground.
Start engine, and with it idling, turn the steering wheel all the way left, right etc.
Keep an eye on the reservoir and don't let the level drop too far.
Keep doing this until you get no more froth.
If you can get rid of the froth and then it's still noisy, definitely a stuffed pump.
Thursday, October 01, 2009 - 12:07 pm, by: Vinh Bui(Hyudsjk)
Lauren Pintaro wrote on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 - 01:01 pm:
I was looking at reconditioning mine but would've cost around $500 just for it to be reconditioned, plus labout at least $200 to re-install it.
Ooft, heavy. The general price for rebuilding a pump (in my experience) is around the $350 mark installed. Any more and you're being taken for a ride. My suggestion would be to find a trusted mechanic and stick with him. Hell, there are people on here from Sydney who drive all the way down to ACT just to get their car serviced by a certain mechanic down that way.
Thursday, October 01, 2009 - 08:34 pm, by: Lauren Pintaro(Laurenic33)
So looks like was the pump after all.
True Sebastian, but what is confirmed is a 6 month warranty on the pump i've purchased through the wreckers plus full immediate replacement if this second hand one still leaks or is noisy.
Monday, October 19, 2009 - 04:38 pm, by: Lauren Pintaro(Laurenic33)
OK SO.......
Just picked up my car from Manta Automotive, the pump I got from the wreckers fixed the noisy problem but now when car is doing under 1000 RPMs it completely loses power steering... LOL.
So the wrecker has offered to exchange the pump and fit it himself tomorrow FOR FREE (thankfully).
So fingers crossed tomorrow afternoon will be the end of this bloody annoying power steering saga.
But now I have a list of other things that need to be fixed on the Soarer (GREAT!)
* Auxilliary drive belt (fan belt) replacement rqd * Cam Belt replacement required * Intermittent misfire on acceleration needs to be investigated and fixed * Master cylinder pedal creeps down on low pedal pressure application * Indicators are flashing too fast (suspected non standard rear lamp units) * General tune up (change spark plugs etc etc)
Obviously the pedal problem & indicator speed issue are not urgent and can easily wait.
But the cam belt, fan belt & engine misfire all need to be done ASAP. The tune up may as well be done at the same time.
I think I'm about to cry, Steve said all these problems come with the age of the car and it's nothing out of the ordinary but I've already spent 2k fixing up problems on a car I was told had no mechanical probs whatsoever.
To be honest I wish I never bought the car, I'm sick to death of constantly forking out money on it - I haven't and won't be able to enjoy driving it until it's fixed.
Wondering how much this will cost me - Steve from Manta will give me a rough estimate tomorrow.
KILL ME.
Peter Nitschke Junk Filterer South Australia UZZ30 UZZ31
Monday, October 19, 2009 - 06:15 pm, by: Lauren Pintaro(Laurenic33)
Yep, hopefully the replacement pump being fitted tomorrow isn't stuffed also.
4th point something about the pedals (both brake and accelerator) when you push them slightly they sort of push themselves further down automatically or something? Not too sure.
The sticker under hood says timing belt was done at 100,000ks. My car is now up to almost 210,000ks. They're supposed to be changed every 100,000ks i'm told.
Miles Baker Goo Roo Vic 66 Mustang GT Convertible, 55 Chevy Bel Air, 69 Firebird 455, 69 Nova SS Clone
Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - 12:22 am, by: Myles Jantzen(Maxx999)
When you do the cam belt make sure you get New water pump, cam seals, Idler bearings, Tensioner, and etc should be close to $1500 but then you will be fine for another 100K.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - 12:31 am, by: Myles Jantzen(Maxx999)
By the way if your Cam belt area is noisy and loud, Get it fixed asap! It will make a weird grinding sound and that's the idler bearing on it's way out. Happened to me and then the belt was rubbing and melted and I was up s#^t creek lol But your engine will be safe , Non interference FTW!!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - 10:52 am, by: Tom Richards(Tomr)
if the timing belt was replaced at 100k kms, it does not need replacing now. Recommended is 160k kms, mine had 220 k kms when i replaced it and it was just starting to get the minute cracks in it. Water pump was probally replaced at the same time so i wouldnt worry about it either. sepentine belt is a 2 min job.(its the external belt you can see) Look at it for small cracks starting to appear. If no cracks it is ok.
There is an elec connector on the inside of the chassis rail just below the power steering pump. if it is disconnected, you will have very little power steering at low revs/speeds,(eg parking) but when driving it will feel ok
Friday, October 23, 2009 - 11:53 am, by: Gary Redman(Gary)
They can inspect the cam belt by removing the covers and if it isn't showing any signs of cracking I would leave it for a while. Your biggest concern and one that you haven't really acknowledged is your brake pedal creeping down. If you aren't losing any brake fluid then this usually means the mastercylinder is leaking internally and this can be a big dollar exercise. you can try for a second hand one but it took me 3 before I scored one that was OK (you don't want to know what a new one would cost you from Japan)
Tuesday, November 03, 2009 - 01:04 pm, by: Lauren Pintaro(Laurenic33)
Hi Tom,
The power steering was fixed the very next day by the wrecker for free.
He replaced the pump and also fitted some other valves/switches or something (sorry he told me what they were but i forgot lol) that were missing probably because of the first dodgy mechanic from months ago messing around in there.
Steers silently, smoothly and beautiful now!!!!
I haven't looked at any of the other problems on the list given to me by Manta, can't even think about them until I have a job! (Studying atm).