Power steering pump? Odd noise

1. Slugshead Established Member Joined: Jan 2009 Cardiff Posts: 1087 1.4 Red Westcoast Mk2 Posi Blue VTS

   #1 3rd June 2011, 17:30

   Got to work this morning, no problem.. apart from a hammerring down the motorway as i was late..
   
   Just got in and turned the key to position two, let the fuel pump do its thing and then there was an almighty whining noise coming from the engine bay...
   
   Popped the hood up, noise was coming from the power steering pump which was vibrating ever so slightly. Checked fluid, hasnt budged a bit!
   
   Drove home, power steering still working all the way home... still making the noise now
   
   Very bizzare! Anyone able to shed some light on this?
2. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

   #2 3rd June 2011, 17:58

   Could be the brushes inside the pump sticking in which case a tap to the pump casing will temporarily fix it,usually its new pump time though.
   
   Steve.
3. Slugshead Established Member Joined: Jan 2009 Cardiff Posts: 1087 1.4 Red Westcoast Mk2 Posi Blue VTS

   #3 3rd June 2011, 18:02

   Ah there we are, i'll give it a go now..
   
   Any ideas on how much a pump is?
   
   or
   
   Can I just take the pump out and block the holes and run without power steering?
4. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

   #4 3rd June 2011, 18:07

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Slugshead Ah there we are, i'll give it a go now.. Any ideas on how much a pump is? or Can I just take the pump out and block the holes and run without power steering?

   If you want muscles like Arnie then yes,you`d need a steering rack not designed for power steering,pumps at a rough guess £60.00.
   
   Steve.
5. LSOfreak Saxperience Addict Joined: Jan 2008 west london Posts: 13810

   #5 3rd June 2011, 18:36

   means your pump is dying slightly. i wouldnt hurry and go buy a new one though, if the noise has just started it might still last some time before dying on you. give the metal casing a tap with a hammer, see if the noise goes away. when mine stopped working altogether, a clout with the lump hammer gave it another 3 months life before it dyed completely lol
   
   pumps are about £50, quite easy to change aswell
   
   broken power steering is SO much heavier than a non power steering car, you wont like it at all unless you resemble chuck lidell
6. Slugshead Established Member Joined: Jan 2009 Cardiff Posts: 1087 1.4 Red Westcoast Mk2 Posi Blue VTS

   #6 3rd June 2011, 20:19

   Right all sounds good..
   
   Heres what I've done..
   
   Hit with hammer, no noise went away...
   
   started the car, pulled off my drive and cut out..
   
   So I tried starting again and it came to life, pulled onto the drive and it cut out again..
   Then wouldnt start!
   
   Flat battery I guess, bumped the car and it ran...
   
   Battery is charging now..
   
   Tbh, I havnt got a clue now lmao...
   
   Had a new clutch/alternator/battery two weeks ago...
   
   Guessing there is a power drain somewhere?