Power steering/whine

[MADDOG]

Aloha all,

Been awhile since I posted. About a week ago I noticed a whining sound coming from my engine compatment. I taught it was my fan. But now found out it's coming from my power steering pump. Wondering if anyone else had this problem with their MM. My MM is 2004.:confused: Power steering fluid level was full,belt also okay. Is the whine a sign of the pump failing?

[Black Dynamite]

Well, probably, depending on intensity of the noise. Try changing the fluid. Mine started making a little bit of noise a year ago and I changed the fluid. Seemed to help me.

[RF Overlord]

How many miles on it? P/S fluid needs changing periodically, just like transmission fluid. Even if it's clear and red, the additive pack gets depleted, so don't use colour as a factor.

[MADDOG]

Fluid is dark, like brown in color. Never change since owned vehicle. 52961 miles on it. Got car with less than 7000 miles.

[LordVader]

Mine did the same thing and slowly the pump deteriorated to the point where in a parking lot it was like no power steering. At speed it was fine. Had it replaced at 72K.

[Breadfan]

Sure the belt and tensioner are ok? Mine was a tad noisy at low speeds but with a new belt and tensioner it's again quiet.

[RF Overlord]

If the P/S fluid is brown and has 53,000 miles on it, it needs to go...now.

[MADDOG]

Thanks everyone for their input. Problem was not my power steering pump:). It was the actually my idler pulley making all that noise. Changed out pulley MM's purring nicely.

[O's Fan Rich]

Cool, but you should still change the fluid.
Along with brake fluid, trans fluid, etc..... it's just good maintenance practice.