Check your power steering auxiliary reservoir

Post by **June** » 26 Oct 2018, 17:45

I have been noticing for the last couple of years the power steering auxiliary reservoir has been wet looking around cap and seam. There has been a bit of a whine up to 3000 rpm or so I thought was the alternator. It turns out there are internal parts in this reservoir that can restrict fluid flow. I have noticed also on a U turn or turning the wheel hard over quickly the power assist would falter slightly the last 1/4 turn of the steering wheel. The fluid level was never low or dirty. My rack and pinion was replaced in 2017 by my Volvo dealer with a new part so no problem with the rack.

I just picked up the car today after a new reservoir was installed and the whine is gone, and the power Assist hasn't felt this smooth on a fast hard over in years. If your car shows these fluid seepage spots, replace the reservoir as it has internal parts that can restrict flow. June

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 27 Oct 2018, 01:34

June wrote: ↑26 Oct 2018, 17:45 I just picked up the car today after a new reservoir was installed and the wine is gone,

I know you give your Volvo a privileged life but ... Wine?
If you left me a Volvo with a reservoir of Wine, the Wine would be gone when you got it back. So don't be hard on the service tech, he just trying to spare your Volvo from a life of addiction and all the problems that come with addiction.

Post by **June** » 27 Oct 2018, 09:22

RickHaleParker wrote: ↑27 Oct 2018, 01:34
June wrote: ↑26 Oct 2018, 17:45 I just picked up the car today after a new reservoir was installed and the wine is gone,
I know you give your Volvo a privileged life but ... Wine?
If you left me a Volvo with a reservoir of Wine, the Wine would be gone when you got it back. So don't be hard on the service tech, he just trying to spare your Volvo from a life of addiction and all the problems that come with addiction.

Abscate are you giving lessons?

June

Post by **Rattnalle** » 27 Oct 2018, 11:16

Hmm. I've got the same leak and have been thinking about replacing it. I haven't associated it with the whining sound I've got at low revs though. Perhaps it's time to pull the pin and find out.

Post by **June** » 27 Oct 2018, 11:25

Rattnalle wrote: ↑27 Oct 2018, 11:16 Hmm. I've got the same leak and have been thinking about replacing it. I haven't associated it with the whining sound I've got at low revs though. Perhaps it's time to pull the pin and find out.

I'm curious if the low rev whine disappears in your car too. If you can photograph a cutaway view of your old reservoir. So we can see what could possibly cause the obstruction. I'm just curious. The dealer threw my old one away, otherwise I would have done it myself. June

93Regina · Post by **93Regina** » 28 Oct 2018, 12:27

June wrote: ↑27 Oct 2018, 11:25low rev whine

How can you fix a power steering pump that's making a whining noise?

this is a question I run into quite a bit and there are two ways this can go; first, you are super lucky and its no big deal, or second, you are going to have to cough up some dough and get a new power steering pump.

More here

Post by **June** » 28 Oct 2018, 12:43

93Regina wrote: ↑28 Oct 2018, 12:27
June wrote: ↑27 Oct 2018, 11:25low rev whine
How can you fix a power steering pump that's making a whining noise?

this is a question I run into quite a bit and there are two ways this can go; first, you are super lucky and its no big deal, or second, you are going to have to cough up some dough and get a new power steering pump.

More here

Actually I was shocked the whine was gone as I was sure it was the alternator. The fact is the whine has been there for years so has the fluid pushing out of the cap. In 2017 the car got a new rack and pinion and all new fluid with no change in sound. Then due to the messy reservoir seepage I requested it's replacement, and I noticed immediately the whine at low rpms is gone. The pump, alternator are factory still.

My conclusion is the reservoir must have something inside that can cause a partial blockage or aeration of the fluid once it goes bad. Either way I wanted to share to others if their P2 Volvo is leaking at the reservoir it is worth replacing. After all the dealer price was less than $100 for the part. So I am sure the recommend big three parts suppliers here on MVS will have it cheaper.

Do you know what is inside the reservoir that could cause this problem? June

Post by **Rattnalle** » 28 Oct 2018, 13:07

June, does this sound about the same as your whine?

Post by **June** » 28 Oct 2018, 13:35

From hearing it on a phone speaker it sounds like the same pitch. It seemed most noticeable up to about 3K rpm or a little more in my car's case. Earlier this year I had the serpentine belt tensioner pulley bearing go bad, but the whine stayed which is why I was sure it was the alternator because the sound was still there weather the compressor was on or off. My car has 170K so a noisy alternator wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility, but it was the power steering pump. I sure would like to know what inside a reservoir could cause the pump to whine? My fluid level was never low. The whine disappearing was just a pleasant side effect as it was the messy seepage that caused me to request the reservoir to be replaced. June

Added: You only have 35K more miles than my car so I wonder if this problem is common with miles or just age.?

Post by **Rattnalle** » 28 Oct 2018, 13:58

I checked my pulleys a year ago when I did the timing belt. I know the AC pulley bearing needs replacing down the road but everything else is either fine or new. I've been thinking the whole time it sounds a little bit like when the power steering fluid level is a bit low but it isn't and the fluid has been flushed with new fluid.

Since mine is also leaky I'll just replace it and see what happens. I've got the dealership across the street from work and need to get a few vacuum tubes that look dry and worn as well. Might as well not put it off any longer.

And as for mileage it has sounded the same since I got the car about 60' km ago.