Noise from power steering pump after rack change

[mrscalex]

Well, the project car is essentially back in one bit. The steering rack has been changed so we needed to bleed the system.

We filled the reservoir up (about 2/3rds and just touching the dipstick). Turned the steering wheel lock to lock 10 times with the engine off. Turned the engine on and then turned the steering wheel lock to lock counting to 10 seconds between locks and not resting at full lock.

We got a fairly unpleasant noise from the power steering pump, well I would imagine it was that. And the fluid was very churned up, quite milky looking.

Am I doing something wrong? Is it just air in the pump and I have to keep turning the steering wheel lock to lock until the noise goes away?

All orifices were covered during the work and kept clean so I don't think dirt got in. I used new crush washers on the 2 banjo bolts. There were no leaks on startup. The wheel turned smoothly.

 

[colb]

The fluid will only circulate with the engine running and the pump operating you would not have achieved anything turning it with the engine off. Persist turning it with engine running till all the air is purged through the reservoir if the noise remains then suspect the pump.

 

[mrscalex]

The procedure I was using stated turning with the engine off initially. I would imagine circulation is limited but is designed to draw something through the pump?

It was generating bubbles so it must have been doing something.

Really can't think what I could have done to damage the pump. Unless it was unadvisable to fire it back up in sub zero temperatures.

 

[colb]

Turning lock to lock engine running should burp it out of the reservoir, wouldn't have been much movement doing it with the engine off it would have needed pressure from the pump to purge it fully. Don't think the cold would have been an issue.

 

[Brian4]

Sounds like air in the system. leave it overnight for the air to come out in the reservoir top up oil and try again. It is a closed system so the pump is always pumping oil and the milky oil is probably from air trapped in the pump.

 

[mrscalex]

Sounds like air in the system. leave it overnight for the air to come out in the reservoir top up oil and try again. It is a closed system so the pump is always pumping oil and the milky oil is probably from air trapped in the pump.

Silly question time Do I leave the cap off overnight while the air comes up?

 

[Brian4]

No will be fine. There is a small air bleed hole in the cap. The volume of air and fluid won't change just be separate rather than mixed. Good luck

 

[mrscalex]

Thanks for the faith @Brian4. All settled down this morning and no noise

 

[Brian4]

Thanks for the faith @Brian4. All settled down this morning and no noise

Great news. When there is air in a pump it 'cavtates' and won't pump oil just makes a frothy mess. Could be as the oil was only filled 2/3 full and when it first pumped filled the hoses and dropped too low and then trying to pump air.

All ready now for the unplanned event. Hope all goes well.