Whine On Startup
 

Hey guys, when I start my fd a whine comes from the engine bay, almost sounds like a PS whine but the fluid looks full to me. The noise goes away after engine has heated up, anyone had any experience with this?
Thanks

First confirm the noise is from the power steering pump. If it is, look for seepage around the return hose connections and the feed hose between the reservoir and pump, and the ft seal on the pump. Air can be sucked in due to the velocity of the fluid in the hoses and cause aeration of the fluid and whining.

Sounds like the ps pump. Pull off the belt and run the car to see if the noise goes way.

Alright thanks guys, I will give it a try

I had the exact same problem. From the drivers side of the car, take a look at the pulley next to the power steering pulley. See if it lines up correctly compared to the PS pulley. Mine didnt. The belt was squealing on startup because the pulley was too far forward. The belt was showing some wear because it was rubbing the lip of the pulley (squealing on startup).

The fix was pretty easy. Remove the pulley, and you will find a spacer on the back. Remove the spacer, and take it to a machine shop. Have them mill it enough to bring the pulley rearward and into alignment. Be sure they dont take off so much that the pulley will rub on the housing.

No more squealing, and no more wear on the belt :)

To make sure that it is PS whine; right after you start the engine and hear the whine turn the steering wheel lock to lock a few times. If the whine increases in loudness or changes pitch it's definitely the pump/pulley/belt...

If it is the PS pump and it is just on start-up when it is cold, you could try switching to synthetic Dextron III ATF fluid. You have to get rid of the 20 year old dinosaur fluid first. There are as many ways to do this as there are Forum members. For me the easiest way is with a Kitchenaid turkey baster from Target. The Kitchenaid has a barbed attachment that you can attach a 3/8inch PVC hose from Home Depot. Snake the hose down to the bottom of the reservoir and suck out the old fluid, put in the new synthetic fluid, smoothly turn the wheel lock to lock about 10 times. Keep repeating these steps (empty, fill, turn, repeat) until you have used up that quart of synthetic ATF fluid you bought.

I just noticed you're from Canada and Target went belly up in Canada 8-(

i had a problem like this but my problem was the power steering housing was at an angle chewing belts up after 30 miles or so but i would get the belt squeak for few min of start up then it goes
2 washers with a straight edge fixed this for me re aligned been perfect since 4 months going strong

Thanks again guys, I will have to wait until it warms up again to check the pump since it snowed and I had to store it again.

My best advise is move down to San Diego for the winter, based on the license plates most of your neighbors are already here. No more cold power steering, no more waiting to work on the car!

I wish! weather is my number one enemy.
As for the whine, I believe the pump may be shot, when I bought it the thing was 5 ounces too full and I siphoned it out but it may have done some damage already