Power Steering Filter/Reservoir Cleaning

[StuGee]

My Power Steering pump (2003 Pilot) has had a "whine" for a few years, even though the fluid level is correct. I just bled and replaced the fluid (Honda fluid) hoping to fix the noise, but no luck.

Next step is to replace the reservoir, which contains a built-in filter. I've read that this filter gets gunked up and can cause whine.

Before I buy a whole new reservoir, has anyone had any luck cleaning out this filter?

[StuGee]

Just a follow-up to anyone with a noisy power steering whine:

I picked up a new PS reservoir from the Honda dealer for about $22.00, plus two 12 oz bottles of Honda PS fluid for another $20.00. (The new reservoir has no filter that I can see, and has a slightly different design.)

Bottom line: After installing the new reservoir, re-bleeding the lines for air bubbles, and topping off... the noise has disappeared.

Well worth trying this fix before spending big bucks on a new pump.

(**One tip: After topping off and running the engine, turn it off and let it sit for a while to let the remaining air in the system will dissipate, and the noise goes away.)

[cofetym]

Thanks for sharing and I'm glad that worked out for you.