FarAway

I had a leak in my pressure hose for about 2 months before I got around to fixing it (Lame excuse, but I didn't have a big enough socket!). (94 sentra 1.6 140,000 miles)

As it got low, it would whine, then it would be better when I added fluid.

I finally added changed the hose, and the leaking stopped, but now the whining is worse! Even slight turning of the wheel causes loud whining.

Edited to add: Although it's noisy, the wheel turns freely.

I searched similar threads here, and the best I came up with is change the fluid and make sure the car is warm. I haven't tried changing the fluid because i put about 3-4 quarts in over the past 2 months, so it's prety much been flushed right? Warming the engine up did nothing.

As it was leaking I put whatever fluid I had in the garage in it, could this be the problem? (Not really any... the car had the red stuff, and I added mostly the clear, does that correlate with Dextron 2 & #? The stuff I refilled it with after changing the hose is "Power steering fluid" that the parts place sold my wife. It says not recommended for Hondas, but that's it)

Any ideas, advice, similar experiences? Did I wait so long that I damaged the pump? I guess this is my fear.

Thanks

 

92redwhiteandblue

I think its the fluid.....ive always put the stuff from the dealer in, but thats because i work at one, and the techs have told me that the nissan pump is made to have nissan fluid in it. It's red, but i dont know the grade, although i can get that info for you tomorow.

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95 pathfinder XE
92 SE-R: grade #3 euro 10:1 pistons, shot peened crank, Centerforce Dual Friction clutch, custom enterprise short shifter, JWT/Nismo S3, Nismo Rocker Stoppers, ported & polished head, AEM CAI, AEM bypass valve, Weapon R header, custom 2.25" catless exhaust, magnaflow oval, KYB AGX, Eibach Pro-Kit, Motegi Trak Lite, Toyo T1-S, Nismo strut tower bar.....more to come!

PeaNutB13

it sounds like there is still air in the system. Try doing this with the car idling. remove the PS cap make sure the resevor is filled to the proper level. turn the wheel left to right almost lock to lock, it usually takes a dozen turns to get all the air out

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My Nissan kicks Ass Yo!~

Jed118

OK I did the SAME THING! On my sentra, it leaked heavily and when I replaced the water pump, I took "care" of the P/S hose. I put a generic one in that would pinch itself shut and then the heat would mould it differently... it was a disaster! I put in the wrong fluid, and the pump seal did not like that at all so I quickly bled all the crap outta there and put in fresh ATF. I got a hose off a NX in the wreckers (slightly shorter) and new clamps, bled the system and im doing OK! Occasionally the P/S pump will emit a short squeal, otherwise it's fine.

It's Dexron II or III ATF that goes in there! Don't put anything else in there if you want your seals to hold up!!

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1993 Sentra GXE - Non stock parts (I dare not call them "mods") 2 inch NX downpipe to cat, hiflow cat, 2002 Sunfire GT right muffler, NX2000 rear disc brakes.

Coming very soon : Digital NX cluster, LED voltometer, Fog lamps. Go automatic GA16DE!! :rolleyes:

FarAway

Thanks guys for the input. I have managed to get rid of the sqeeking, sort of. I apparently still had air. Funny thing, the first time I changed a PS pressure hose, I followed the bleeding directions carefully, this time I felt confident, and dispensed with the directions!

I'm still losing a good bit of fluid, so it squeels, and I add more. I am losing fluid through the top of the resevoir! What does this mean. I am still using a clear fluid. I was told that the red is the same stuff, with red dye so you can tell where the leak is! Is there a seal that's bad, that's letting the pressure come back into the resevoir?

Thanks

 

Pretty White

Now change the belt and add some Lucas Power Steering additive and it will be all good!

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91-NX2000
97-Maxima

PeaNutB13

Lucas rocks! Man that shit works.

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My Nissan kicks Ass Yo!~

FarAway

Lucas worked great! Thanks for the tip. Didn't change the belt, because it's new, and the leaking continued long after the car stopped.

Only problem now is that steering is tight. Is this just because the fluid is so thick? Can I suck out some of the fluid and put in regular (non lucas) to thin things back out? (My weak little daughter drives this car!)