Grinding/whining when on full lock

Xantia2.0 · Post by **Xantia2.0** » 07 Sep 2010, 14:13

I noticed this morning when I was backing out of my drive way and put it into full lock that it makes a Whining/Grinding noise, and it's coming from the power steering pump from what I can hear. I checked the fluid level and it is dead on the MIN mark, but not below so is that the problem ?

If not I really am going to sell the car if I have to spend £300 on a new pump!

Xantia2.0 · Post by **Xantia2.0** » 07 Sep 2010, 16:19

Well I went past Halfords on my way home earlier and topped the fluid up to the MAX mark, the whine is still there but quieter now!

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 07 Sep 2010, 16:39

Hi Xantia 2, you mean the LHM fluid I guess?

Xantia2.0 · Post by **Xantia2.0** » 07 Sep 2010, 16:41

Was I meant to fill the P/S reservoir with LHM Fluid!?

Post by **myglaren** » 07 Sep 2010, 16:43

What power steering reservoir?

Xantia2.0 · Post by **Xantia2.0** » 07 Sep 2010, 16:45

I mean the hydraulic fluid reservoir. Oh god, will it have damaged anything using P/S fluid ?

Post by **myglaren** » 07 Sep 2010, 16:46

This is where the LHM goes!
Where did you put it?

Xantia2.0 · Post by **Xantia2.0** » 07 Sep 2010, 16:53

Oh God! After another look I put it in the Coolant reservoir! ARGH!

I don't think it'll have done much damage anyway as it was just a few drops.

However I now know that the whine gets quieter when I've been driving for a while (as I had just came home when I tried again and it was quieter, I thought it was cos I topped the fluid up but obviously not as I didnt!!)

I think I'll let my mate check it over as he's good with hydraulics and will tell me the problem. He's coming over in 30 mins anyway for a cuppa so I'll get it checked then.

EDIT - Actually the LHM tank is low, I just checked it. I'll go and get some LHM fluid and see if it goes away.

Post by **myglaren** » 07 Sep 2010, 17:06

Check the LHM with the suspension on high and give it time to settle.
Fill so that the indicator is between the red markers. Don't overfill it, enough is enough

Try and get the LHM out of the coolant reservoir - either soak it up with rags acting as wicks, disconnect it fron the radiator and drain then flush it or the really lazy way, overfill it so it overflows and takes the LHM with it - onto your drive

When you next use the car it will chuck the excess out anyway.

Xantia2.0 · Post by **Xantia2.0** » 07 Sep 2010, 17:08

I got the fluid out of the expansion tank and everything is fine now. Well don't know if the whine will go away yet but I'm on my way out now to get the fluid.

MikeT · Post by **MikeT** » 07 Sep 2010, 17:10

If it quietens down when the engine's warmed up it could just a loose belt, fingers crossed!

Xantia2.0 · Post by **Xantia2.0** » 07 Sep 2010, 17:45

Well I've topped the fluid up but didn't change anything, my friend spent 10 minutes turning the wheel from lock to lock a few times and gave it a quick drive and said there wasn't a problem, it was just as the pump has over 130,000 miles on it and it has worn, but will still last for another 100,000 miles at least!

VertVega · Post by **VertVega** » 07 Sep 2010, 18:06

Is the sound heard only when backing and full lock?

If the sound is more like "hissing" and heard when you turn the steering wheel then I would say that LHM needs to be changed.
It's recommended every 60k km (37k miles). Do you know when it was last done?

Xantia2.0 · Post by **Xantia2.0** » 07 Sep 2010, 18:21

According to a receipt the fluid was last changed at 55,000 miles in 2002. So that's almost 80,000 miles since the last change, or 43,000 miles over due a change...
It is kind of a hiss yes.

VertVega · Post by **VertVega** » 07 Sep 2010, 18:35

Then you have a nice weekend job

There are good instructions in FCF. I have printed out CitroJim's "How_To_Guide" and have it in owner's manual

You nead 5 lt LHM and some cleaner in order to clean filters inside the tank and the tank.

: I use an old tooth brush for filters
Lots of rugs and patience ...