aberd

So this is my first actual post on this website. I have been on here since August '07 when I got my first 88 SE. Have had a few probles with it since I've gotten it. Water Pump, Wiper Switch, E-Brake, Flooding proplems, cooling problems etc etc. I am just now getting used to this car and how it works. Its been great when everything seems to be operating normally but I have just ran into a power steering issue today.

Here's what happened.

Drove to work this morning- Everything seemed fine.
Started the car back up to go somewhere for work and the power steering felt odd and was making an odd sound. Shut the car off and check the fluid, it wasnt too bad but it was low. So I added some regular Power steering fluid, not knowing I am typically supposed to use ATF. Anyways, after I added the fluid i got in an fired her up. Power steering worked great sitting there when i tested it out. Started back off down the road and it started tightening up again. Got out checked the fluid and it was kinda black and and had tiny bubbles on it.

I then got on the webste an began searching. I tried bleeding the system and it didnt seem to have any effect as of yet. So I started the car and tryed giving a little juice and then turned the wheel. It made an odd whining sound, but it turned like the PS was working. odd. at this point i couldnt tell if that was a sign of a bad pump or what.

I am not really sure where to go from here. I am not sure I have a leak as of now or if it is the pump itself. If anyone has had any similar experiences or any knowledge they would like to shed upon me it w ould be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

aberd

I was actually just going to the bathroom and I think I realized what the problem is. Awhile back I noticed a black oily looking substance on a small mteal tube that ran somewhere region of the bottom of my radiator. So I am now assuming that it was power steering fluid is what was leaking that day. I am not 100% but it did look and feel a lot like what that substance did then.

So, when i press on the gas and the RPM's increase, I'm assuming that the pressure increases from my oil pump, creating enough pressure at that time to allow the power steering to work. But when it is at idle or below around 1700 rpms it will not operate because enough pressure is not building up for it to operate correctly. Am I correct in saying this? I am assuming the pressure that should be built up is escaping and causing the power steering pump to not operate properly.

Hopefully I am on the right track here. Any input would be appreciated. I need to check specifically for leaks. Cant right now though. Thanks again.

Qbuilt

Simply sounds like a bad pump. Especially when the fluid turns black in a short period of time. If there is no big leak spraying all over the place then the small little leak you describe would not cause the system to be unable to make proper pressure.
Stick your finger in the resevoir for the P/S and see if you can detect any tiny little metal flakes. That basically confirms the bump is bad. However there is no way to be 100% certain without a proper pressure test using guages and what not.

misterstyx69

iTrader: (142)

theer is a "cooling tube" shall I call it.it is located in front of the Oil cooler..it is a LOOP that goes from and to the Power steering..The Tube is metal and Deteriorates with age..Maybe that is your Problem?.Power steering fluid loss would indicate this..also the Power steering is Speed sensitive,so It Doesn't always Operate at FULL ON..just when the speed needs it to be.