How Bad Does Your Power Steering Sound When Very Cold?

[jmgtp]

My morning commute has me out the door before sunrise and the temps lately have been in the single digits to low teens. The power steering pump sounds like absolute death for a mile or two: a loud groan at idle and a whine with pitch that increases with revs. I try to start the car up a good 10 minutes before I leave during which time I'll be back in the house and I can hear that thing groaning away even when it isn't under load. It is purely a cold weather occurence, when the temps are up in the 30s or so the pump doesn't make a sound and once it has a little heat in it the sound is gone.

I see no fault in the pump itself and believe the entire cause of the noise, and sluggish power steering should I drive during those first few minutes, is due entirely to the power steering fluid being so cold that it is too thick to serve its purpose. At 56k miles I figure I'm due for a flush (system is not low on fluid).

Has anyone else experienced such a problem? I'm contemplating using a synthetic fluid and opened to suggestions - I would like to stay away from addatives since most of them are designed to stop leaks and do so by adding thickeners, which would only worsen my situation.

I haven't looked at it yet but my plan is to disconnect the low pressure return line on the pump and allow it to drain into a pan while I feed fresh fluid into the resoviour while the engine is running, perhaps with an assistant gentlely going lock to lock on the wheel to ensure a complete flush through the rack. Also wondering what the capacity of the entire system is? I figure I'll need at least 2-3 times the required fluid to do a worth while flush and fill. Anyone know of a more simple/better way?

[d1giPhux]

Damn, i wish it was as warm as it is here as it is there in the morning! I've been starting my car up in -15 degree weather nearly every morning. It shifts slow as fuck, the steering wheel feels hard to turn, and other things just feel generally 'frozen' when i use them. About 1 minute later, everything is fine.. but DAMN.. we need some sun! :lol:

[ivwarrior]

Have you checked your fluid level to make sure you're not low? We've been having similar temps here, and mine doesn't sound any different.

With the flush idea, I've been considering the same thing. The power steering uses ATF, so any sythetic ATF (Dexron/Mercon) should be fine.

[Wiscon_Mark]

Mine's pretty quiet, and it's been below zero for the last week here.

[jmgtp]

It isn't low on fluid, that was the first thing I checked.

I can't imgaine starting it up in -15* weather. In the single digits it is slow to crank, has that awful power steering whine, the shifter is stiff but still shifts ok (uncle scottys mix!) and the lifters tap for a few minutes under any kind of engine load.

PS Fluid likely is just rebadged ATF but I'll probably swing the extra few dollars and get something badged PS Fluid, probably castrol syn PS, since it isn't changed all that often I don't mind paying a few extra for piece of mind.

[ivwarrior]

PS Fluid likely is just rebadged ATF but I'll probably swing the extra few dollars and get something badged PS Fluid, probably castrol syn PS, since it isn't changed all that often I don't mind paying a few extra for piece of mind.

No, power steering fluid ins't "rebadged ATF" and every Subaru I've seen calls for ATF, NOT power steering fluid. Dor yourself and your car a favor and get ATF.

[badbasser98]

When it is -10 and below it sounds like I have no fluid at all. After it warms up though it is fine. I have found a way around it however, I noticed that if i let the car run for about 5 minutes without moving it, shut if off and start it again, the pump works fine and the noise is gone.

[BryantPHS91]

Mine has a similar problem. I live in northern new hampshire and its been COLD to say the least. for the first 5 minutes makin like a tight 3 point turn were you really have to crank the wheel it almost sounds like a grinding noise. but thats about it.

[jmgtp]

PS Fluid likely is just rebadged ATF but I'll probably swing the extra few dollars and get something badged PS Fluid, probably castrol syn PS, since it isn't changed all that often I don't mind paying a few extra for piece of mind.

No, power steering fluid ins't "rebadged ATF" and every Subaru I've seen calls for ATF, NOT power steering fluid. Dor yourself and your car a favor and get ATF.

You are correct sir. I checked the owners manual and it does in fact call for dexIII. I picked up a gallon jug of dexIII but due to a burst pipe above the garage and the resulting mess in the garage looks like I have to put off at least a week or two before flushing it out =(

[Huffer]

I got no problems here.

[ah_alex_]

at least your power steering pump works, mine has a bad leak. dont no if its the pump or the reservoir but i have a puddle under the pump. new one from NAPA will cost $390!!!!!!! i hope its a line or something less expensive.

[ivwarrior]

at least your power steering pump works, mine has a bad leak. dont no if its the pump or the reservoir but i have a puddle under the pump. new one from NAPA will cost $390!!!!!!! i hope its a line or something less expensive.

Call your dealer. www.subarugenuineparts.com (http://www.subarugenuineparts.com) lists the pump for $270.80. Remember, aftermarket isn't always cheaper than genuine subaru parts.

[ah_alex_]

thats still alot of money. i think it might be leaking from the bottom of the resevoir but i will find out when i pull it apart this week. anything i should be worried about?