Mechanics: can you help a dummy out? - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Cat Juggler · 12-16-2006, 04:42 PM

The power steering system on my 99 Taurus has me stumped. When I start the engine, the fluid in the revervoir drops to the point that the pump is sucking air. When I shut the engine off, the fluid comes back up and out the top of the reservoir and all over the engine.

Any ideas? I would sure appreciate it.
Thanks in advance.

**DanTheEldest** · 12-16-2006, 04:58 PM

I am by NO MEANS a mechanic, but after a bit of google-fu I found this:

http://autorepair.about.com/library/a/1f/bl005f.htm

They describe a problem that sounds a lot like yours, and that it was air in the lines. Purging the system might be a good place to start, and check all the fittings and lines to make sure there's no leaks. I'm sure somebody who actually knows something about this stuff will be along.

cucamelsmd15 · 12-17-2006, 04:09 PM

Its possible you could have air in the lines, or its possible it could be how the system operates. For ex. my STi coolant level fluctuates, depending on if its been run or not. If its not, coolant is high in the reservoir. If its been run, coolant is lower in the reservoir. It could just be a function of the fluid draining out of the system. But since you say it does it in opposite of what Im describing, I would venture a guess to say air in the lines, or a blockage somewhere.

TheXDkid · 12-17-2006, 04:15 PM

would you know what i said if i asked "does it make the power steering whine?" just went through this in my GF's taures and we got it figured out. so let me know if it makes this whine. (ps im love ford and have owned many but their power stering units.... not so good)

Ed 2001 SS · 12-17-2006, 04:15 PM

Check for restrictions or kinks in the lines. Check for pliability in the rubber part of the return hose. Too soft or too hard and it should be replaced. If the hoses check out, check for leaks (even just moisture). This could indicate a weak spot where the system will draw air into it (usually on the low pressure side). If that checks out, the next thing I would do is replace the pump. It could have a cut internal seal causing the problem.

Good luck.

TheXDkid · 12-17-2006, 04:17 PM

please reply to my post or pm me before you take any action, I've seen way to many people just throw parts on stuff because they think its the problem, then they end up bringing it to me to fix it. thanks.

also is this the only symptom of any problems with the power steering system?? does the pump whine?? the Taurus has a stiffer steering than other cars but has it recently become more difficult to steer? what led you to this problem did it bubble and overflow first? or only after you heard/saw "sucking noise" (dont worry probably not sucking air)? these answers will help thanks.

sermon8r · 12-17-2006, 04:22 PM

the stearing rack prob has a clogged return feed

Cat Juggler · 12-17-2006, 04:26 PM

Thanks for the replies...
xd kid.... my wife called me and told me the car was making a racket whenever she turns. So when she gets home I meet here out in the driveway and there is fluid leaking from under the car. I lift the hood and the fluid is shooting out the relief hole in the top of the p.s. reservoir all over the place. So I replace the fluid, jack up the front of the car, start the engine, turn the wheels back and forth probably 40 times to get the air out. Check the fluid, a few air bubbles, but not frothy. Turn the engine off and here comes the fluid!!!

**XDAndMe** · 12-17-2006, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheXDkid

would you know what i said if i asked "does it make the power steering whine?" just went through this in my GF's taures and we got it figured out. so let me know if it makes this whine. (ps im love ford and have owned many but their power stering units.... not so good)

If it's a newer car, make sure the whine you're hearing isn't just the electronic power steering motor. My car is a 2004 model Mazda (Ford owns a large share of Mazda and my car cas Ford parts on it) and the power steering is handled by a separate electronic motor in order to keep power from being uneccessarily taken away from the engine. It's a neat little trick that saves a few horse power

The motor makes a distinct sound, though. FYI.

**einheit 13** · 12-17-2006, 05:12 PM

Did you 'bleed' while on the jack?? You should do it while its on the ground. I replaced one on my wifes Tempo before she sold it and had to do it that way. it was doing the samething, but the fluid was frothy, when I put it on the ground t took about 30 turns lock to lock to purge it.

12-16-2006, 04:42 PM	#1
Cat Juggler XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 227	Mechanics: can you help a dummy out? The power steering system on my 99 Taurus has me stumped. When I start the engine, the fluid in the revervoir drops to the point that the pump is sucking air. When I shut the engine off, the fluid comes back up and out the top of the reservoir and all over the engine. Any ideas? I would sure appreciate it. Thanks in advance. __________________ Be professional; Be courteous; but have a plan to kill everyone you meet

12-16-2006, 04:58 PM	#2
DanTheEldest XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,374	I am by NO MEANS a mechanic, but after a bit of google-fu I found this: http://autorepair.about.com/library/a/1f/bl005f.htm They describe a problem that sounds a lot like yours, and that it was air in the lines. Purging the system might be a good place to start, and check all the fittings and lines to make sure there's no leaks. I'm sure somebody who actually knows something about this stuff will be along. __________________ To make mass murder palatable to the public, one must first strip the victims of their inherent humanity. First were the native Americans ("savages"), then the black slaves (only "partly human"), then the Jews and gypsies in Hitler's Europe ("parasites on society"), and now America's unborn (also "not fully human"). Save the Americans--end abortion now. Insights and documentation on our nation's Christian heritage: www.WallBuilders.com

12-17-2006, 04:09 PM	#3
cucamelsmd15 XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 3,458	Its possible you could have air in the lines, or its possible it could be how the system operates. For ex. my STi coolant level fluctuates, depending on if its been run or not. If its not, coolant is high in the reservoir. If its been run, coolant is lower in the reservoir. It could just be a function of the fluid draining out of the system. But since you say it does it in opposite of what Im describing, I would venture a guess to say air in the lines, or a blockage somewhere. __________________ Creo que debo empezar a aprender español Juan McAmnesty si va a ser Presidente. I have cast my vote and my political allegiance: No Confidence '08. Long live America!

12-17-2006, 04:15 PM	#4
TheXDkid XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 628	would you know what i said if i asked "does it make the power steering whine?" just went through this in my GF's taures and we got it figured out. so let me know if it makes this whine. (ps im love ford and have owned many but their power stering units.... not so good) __________________ "Laws that forbid the carrying of arms…disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes. Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides." – Thomas Jefferson

12-17-2006, 04:15 PM	#5
Ed 2001 SS XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Miami Posts: 551	Check for restrictions or kinks in the lines. Check for pliability in the rubber part of the return hose. Too soft or too hard and it should be replaced. If the hoses check out, check for leaks (even just moisture). This could indicate a weak spot where the system will draw air into it (usually on the low pressure side). If that checks out, the next thing I would do is replace the pump. It could have a cut internal seal causing the problem. Good luck. __________________ Ed XD 40 Service XD9 SC Bi-tone Kel-Tec PF-9 S&W Mod 66-1 .357 Magnum

12-17-2006, 04:17 PM	#6
TheXDkid XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 628	please reply to my post or pm me before you take any action, I've seen way to many people just throw parts on stuff because they think its the problem, then they end up bringing it to me to fix it. thanks. also is this the only symptom of any problems with the power steering system?? does the pump whine?? the Taurus has a stiffer steering than other cars but has it recently become more difficult to steer? what led you to this problem did it bubble and overflow first? or only after you heard/saw "sucking noise" (dont worry probably not sucking air)? these answers will help thanks. __________________ "Laws that forbid the carrying of arms…disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes. Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides." – Thomas Jefferson Last edited by TheXDkid; 12-17-2006 at 04:20 PM.

12-17-2006, 04:22 PM	#7
sermon8r XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville/LaVergne TN Posts: 134	the stearing rack prob has a clogged return feed

12-17-2006, 04:26 PM	#8
Cat Juggler XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 227	Thanks for the replies... xd kid.... my wife called me and told me the car was making a racket whenever she turns. So when she gets home I meet here out in the driveway and there is fluid leaking from under the car. I lift the hood and the fluid is shooting out the relief hole in the top of the p.s. reservoir all over the place. So I replace the fluid, jack up the front of the car, start the engine, turn the wheels back and forth probably 40 times to get the air out. Check the fluid, a few air bubbles, but not frothy. Turn the engine off and here comes the fluid!!! __________________ Be professional; Be courteous; but have a plan to kill everyone you meet Last edited by Cat Juggler; 12-17-2006 at 04:39 PM.

12-17-2006, 05:12 PM	#10
einheit 13 XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Virginia, C.S.A. Posts: 5,682	Did you 'bleed' while on the jack?? You should do it while its on the ground. I replaced one on my wifes Tempo before she sold it and had to do it that way. it was doing the samething, but the fluid was frothy, when I put it on the ground t took about 30 turns lock to lock to purge it. __________________ Once is happenstance, twice is coincidence, the third time is enemy action “It is the lack of will power, and not the lack of arms which render us incapable of offering any serious resistance.”

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