Noise from my 2003 Power Steering Pump)

[freddy991]

Guys,
On the 18th Sept around 1700hrs after my engine have cool down i noticed my power steering fluid to be at exactly lower level mark and i decided to top it up with ATF fluid. The following morning when i was going to office i observed my steering to be strong and for me to turning left and right was very difficult.

I later checked the 2003 manual and instructed the fuild should be between lower and max level which i did and drive out later in the evening but i was still having the same problem with the steering being strong and difficult to drive. After 15mins of driving i had a NOISE under my hood which i confirmed to be my POWER STEERING PUMP. As soon as the noise started the steering now became normal (Soft) and easy to drive.

Although, the noise is not permanet but the noise can start as soon a i started the engine to drive out and continuos till i come back to the hosue or will started and be there for about 20mins and later stop.

Pls guys advise me on what to do concerning the noise from the PS pump.

Awaiting resposes pls.

Fred

[ctobio]

[i]Originally posted by freddy991
Guys,
On the 18th Sept around 1700hrs after my engine have cool down i noticed my power steering fluid to be at exactly lower level mark and i decided to top it up with ATF fluid. The following morning when i was going to office i observed my steering to be strong and for me to turning left and right was very difficult.

I don't believe the power steering fluid in the '03 takes ATF. It takes special Honda Power Steering Fluid, if its anything like my '06. Unless the owners manual explicitly says ATF, I would not put in anything that is not what is specified.

Pls guys advise me on what to do concerning the noise from the PS pump.

If indeed you put the wrong fluid (check your owners manual to be sure), I would start by aggressively flushing the system ASAP. If the two fluids are incompatible, you will be doing permanent damage to the pump and seals, if you haven't done so already.

Incidentally, power steering fluid is not a consumable. You don't go low on fluid unless there's a leak.

[ctobio]

Here's the page from the 03 manual:



It says you can add regular power steering fluid in an emergency, but does not mention ATF, and explicitly says to flush the system as soon as possible after introducing non-Honda fluid.

[freddy991]

Thanks for your response pls advise me on how to flush this old fluid from the system so that i can replace it with correct fluid.

Thanks.

Fred

[ctobio]

I've not done one of these on a Pilot. but in general, this is how I've done it.

1. Remove fuel pump fuse, start car until it stalls.
2. Disconnect power steering return line at a convenient place, and plug off the line returning to the reservoir at a convenient place after the reservoir is drained.
3. Fill the reservoir, and stick the disconnected line into an appropriate receptacle.
4. Crank the engine for 2-3 seconds. Repeat step 3 until the entire volume of the fluid is replaced, or more if you feel there is contamination of other fluids present.
5. Put everything back together.

[freddy991]

Cbotio,
Thanks for your quick response. Looking at the steps and the ways to drain the powers steering fluid; your step 1 says i should remove the fuel pump fuse and start the car. Wouldn't that generate another codes on the panel?

Awaiting your response again.


Fred

[ctobio]

Removing the fuel pump fuse should not throw a CEL. The purpose of removing the fuel pump fuse is so you can crank the engine without starting it. It should only take a couple of cycles of doing this to flush the system.