I bought my 03 about this time last winter and never had an issue with the PS. One of the first things I did when I bought it was a PS fluid flush with 3 bottles of Honda fluid. Checked the fluid level this morning and it is right at the max level. Been there since last winter so I have no leaks.
It finally started getting winter cold here in CO about 3 weeks ago and every morning since then the PS moans once the car is started. It has never moaned since I've owned the car. The moaning goes away after a few minutes of driving.
Temps were in the -5° - 5° range the last couple nights and when I started the car these past 3 mornings not only does the PS moan, it is as though I have no PS at all. Turning to pull out of my driveway felt like it did back when I was a kid and PS was an option on cars. Even a couple blocks down the road I had no PS.
I'm assuming this is a sign of a weak/worn PS pump. This article basically backs me up on it but I figured I'd see what y'all expert opinions are.
Yes. There is. You should check the fluid immediately after you notice the problem as suggested.
When the fluid is cold, it is thicker. Thicker fluid does not flow as well, so the pressure drop is greater. The pressure in the reservoir is at atmospheric pressure, but the pump is "sucking" the fluid out of this container. So the pressure between the reservoir and the pump inlet is actually below atmospheric pressure (under vacuum). If there are any leaks under vacuum the system will suck air into the lines, causing frothing. This creates noise, and since air is compressible, reduces the effectiveness of the PS system. The colder it is, the thicker it is, so the greater the vacuum will be. As it warms up, this problem goes away. And since air is MUCH thinner than PS fluid, it's possible for the system to leak air into the system and not noticeably leak fluid out of the system.
This ^ - and you may want to think about going to a 100% syn. fluid with seal conditioners. Honda PS fluid is a semi syn. with seal conditioners. I have always used the aftermarket fluid and never had to change the PS O rings. I flush the PS system every 25 - 30K.
The key is if the fluid in the reservoir is foaming the O ring is most likely the cause as it shrinks and allows the pump to suck in air. Easy fix if that is the case.
Some car manufacturers use ATF for both auto tranny and power steering, but with Honda cars, they have a separate power steering fluid. They have a different detergent formula, along with other differences, so I don't think ATF can go into power steering.
OK I didn't see any foaming this morning and the belt is about 2 weeks old so I'm gonna give the o-ring a try. I mean WTH have I got to lose except some ca$h.
If the belt is new, and the o-ring doesn't fix it (I didn't experience the stiff PS you are when my o-ring was making noise) you may have a pump or rack issue.
$2 o-ring seems to have done the trick. No stiffie and no moaning (sounds like a bummer doesn't it?)
It was 30° this morning which is a lot warmer than it had been but I'm pretty sure it's been moaning at this temp and moaned yesterday morning. I'll report back if anything changes. So far so good.
And this fix literally took less than a minute to do. I spent more time opening the garage door and walking over to get the ratchet and washing my hands.
Glad I came across this thread, was about to start looking at PS pump prices cause the moaning/whine was annoying me. @qman how much fluid did you have to add after replacing the o-ring? Would one bottle of Honda PS fluid be enough?
I didn't have to add any. I think I lost about a quarter teaspoon when I removed the hose fitting. My car is an 2003 and the hose fitting is up high. On some later models the fitting is down low.