Power Steering Troubleshooting

Tiny
HAWKINS63
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 MERCURY SABLE
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
2000 Mercury Sable w/3.0. Wife says is noisy. Had to add a little steering fluid but fluid was dirty and foamy (had car serviced not too long ago). Started car, run a left to right check to listen to noise and upon turning car off. Power steering fluid was blowing out the top of pump. Whats going on?
Wednesday, February 9th, 2011 AT 7:29 PM

2 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,330 POSTS
Very common Ford problem. There is trapped air in the system. It compresses when the engine is running, but it expands when the engine stops. That expansion pushes the fluid out. One tool that has been developed specifically for Fords is a vacuum pump that is supposed to expand the air bubble some more to help it come out.

Caradiodoc
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Wednesday, February 9th, 2011 AT 9:06 PM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Sounds like air in fluid. You will have to wait till fluid calms down and add it slowly. How was the noise? Fords are KNOWN for being noisy, even new!
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Wednesday, February 9th, 2011 AT 10:03 PM

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