Power Steering works hard, worst in cold weather

EAMEDIC903

MEMBER
2002 NISSAN SENTRA
160 MILES

2002 Nissan Sentra, power steering works a little hard. Worse in cold weather. Gets better as car warms up. When cold, belt will sometimes squeal when turning steering wheel but belt is tight.

Wednesday, August 29th, 2012 AT 3:59 AM

8 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

The belt squeal indicates the pump is not working as fast as it should due to slippage. Recheck the belt tension, v-ribbed belts have different tension feeling fron normal V-belts.

Which engine do you have?

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Wednesday, August 29th, 2012 AT 9:44 AM

EAMEDIC903

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6 POSTS

Checked the belt tension per the manual and if anything it is a little too tight. When the issue first happened I checke the belt (it was ok) and tightened it a bit more just in case.

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Wednesday, August 29th, 2012 AT 12:05 PM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

Check the fluid condition and replace if necessary.

Whic engine do you have?

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Wednesday, August 29th, 2012 AT 12:13 PM

EAMEDIC903

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6 POSTS

Already changed it and added some conditioner.

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Wednesday, August 29th, 2012 AT 12:21 PM

EAMEDIC903

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6 POSTS

1.8L

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Wednesday, August 29th, 2012 AT 1:30 PM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

If the belt tension is good and fluid level correct, the pump is weak. Have the pressure tested.

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Wednesday, August 29th, 2012 AT 1:46 PM

EAMEDIC903

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6 POSTS

I figure that was where I was headed. I was hoping there might be a common problem with this model or a way to differentiate. Consideirng I have 4 cars, time to invest in a tester! Thanks

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Wednesday, August 29th, 2012 AT 2:02 PM

KHLOW2008