Rep Power: 51

I goofed

Power steering has a belt squeal. I changed the pump and had to replace the reservoir return hos with a substitute that had a lower ID. Clamped it all on, put on new gaskets and drove.

somehow I put too little torque on that return fitting and it came totally off. Lost the screw.

I changed that o ring again and put it on nicely. Topped off the fluid and start it up, feeding it fluid.

the return is all foam. Went through many pints of genuine Honda fluid. Disconnected the return line from the rack and fed it into a bucket. Ran three more pints. All foam.

I ordered a new reservoir hose (the proper size) and new o rings again.

I figure once it settles out the foam will be bubbles and I can bleed it. Do I bleed with the engine running or off, going stop to stop?

anything else?

 
Rep Power: 222

Start with the engine off

 
Rep Power: 224

The only time I've had to bleed power steering I unbolted the pump, disconnected the return line and lowered it down to a catch can, then used a drill to spin the pump at a much slower speed. Ran everything out then sent a bit of new fluid through the system before reconnecting the return line.

 
Rep Power: 51

The culprit was the 29 cent o ring. I must have clipped it when re-inserting the fitting into the pump. Combined with the cheater hose of slightly narrower diameter it sucked air at the fitting.

I replaced the tank, got a proper hose and new hose spring clamps, and changed that o ring by inserting it into the pump, instead of wrapping it on the fitting like I did in haste.

Lesson: foam at the return means air in the suction side, between the tank and the pump, unlikely anywhere else since the others are not suction but under pressure and would cause a leak instead.

 
Rep Power: 367

glad you found the culprit and thanks for coming back to inform solution!