Screech on startup in the Power Steering Pump

[johnnyapollo]

Anyone had their power steering go south? Seems mine is about to - I get a loud screech on startup with a cold motor. Has anyone written up the replacement yet and is this something I should tackle or should I take it to a shop?

-- John

[ALC1717]

John: I Just Sent You An E Mail ! It Might Be The Crankshaft Pulley AKA Harmonic Balancer ?

[tom4bren]

IIRC someone was experiencing trouble with PS pump replacement because of an idle speed sensor attached to it ... or was it that they were having trouble with the sensor so ended up replacing the PS pump too.

I'll have to play with the search function later & find that thread from several years ago.

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?threadid=18045

[Triathlete]

How long has it been since you replaced the serpentine belt? You might try belt dressing or replacing the belt. They will slip and screech when they age. Also, probably the first thing you checked, fluid level?

[johnnyapollo]

Belt is less than 10K miles old - replaced it when the tensioner siezed. I'm just putting up with it right now - plenty of fluid.

-- JOhn

[Scott Larson]

I think Billy might be right, a screech from any accessory drive typically is a loose, worn or dirty belt that is slipping. Belt dressing or the tried and trusty WD40 treatment will answer the questiuon in short order. Best of luck, keep us posted!

[ron]

I've been having the same issue for a few months now. It only happens in the mornings at startup. I'm suspecting the serpentine belt being loose as I can push it in past an inch with my finger. I'd like to tighten it but can't find the proper bolt to loosen/tighten the belt. Anyone point me to the right one? Thanks in advance. Rudy

[JoFotoz]

Give the belt a quick dose of hairspray...

It works!

jo

[ron]

Give the belt a quick dose of hairspray...

It works!

jo

Well I did the belt dressing with no success. We havent had hairspray in the house for years. Do they still make that?

Yeah I'm pretty sure that my belt needs to be tightened. But thanks for the suggestion.

[Triathlete]

Ron
If your belt is loose you probably need to replace the tensioner. There is no bolt like the older cars to tighten it. The tensioner is spring loaded...If the spring weakens you have to replace the tensioner. (Or the belt if it is old and stretched)

[Jonnie]

For me it was the Harmonic Balancer.

[ron]

For me it was the Harmonic Balancer.

Just a follow up, during my rebuild for my tranny, I had the shop replace the harmonic balancer. The shop owner was a bit skeptical as he's never heard of the HB causing any noise issues before. Turns out he was wrong. The rubber ring was cracked and slipping at start up especially when cold. Before narrowing it down to that piece, I had the tensioner, belt, starter replaced. So far, no more noise at start-ups even in cold mornings/evenings. Thanks to those who helped narrow the issue down to this piece.