Rep Power: 0

So my factory alternator quit at 240k miles which was great it had a long life. I replaced the alternator and with new belts for both the a/C alt and the power steering. Car drove completely fine for a few weeks now I've got a nasty loud squeak from the power steering pump on startup. It lasts for about 30 to 45 seconds then clears up. The squeal is coming from the power steering pump itself. Buddy says bearings are going in the pump.

 
Rep Power: 208

you sure the belts are not loose?

sometimes brand new belts will stretch a bit after the first few days or weeks,

thats why you should install new belts tighter then a belt you are just re-installing

 
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I'll give her a re-check. Although I'm pretty sure I'll be needing to replace that power steering pump soon.

 
Rep Power: 517

remove the belt from the power steering pump and try again in the morning........ I bet it still makes the noise because it's the alternator/AC belt that needs retightened.

 
Rep Power: 132

Why do you say the PS pump will need replacing soon? Common issue with the reservoir is the o-ring leaks air into the reservoir and causes foaming of fluid and noises - simple fix.

 
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Is there a write up about this or a how-to because it may now seem that I have 2 problems.

 
Rep Power: 132

https://www.civicforums.com/forums/3...ssue-foam.html


For others just search on power steering oring or foaming.

 
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I removed the belt from the PS pump and then started the car with the air off, no noise maybe a ever so slightly barely audible single chirp. Then turned the air on, I'd didn't do anything then either. I checked tension on that drive belt and it's good.

So I reinstalled the PS belt on t he pump... I tightened the adjuster until tension was where it should be on the belt, and retightened the lower nut on the pump then the large nut on the other side of the adjuster screw at the top. I started the car, NO SQUEAL! but it did start to make a few random chirps when the throttle was in the idle position. Give it a little gas and never hear it/like it's gone but comes back slightly at idle.

I drove it around in the parking lot to try and replicate the chirp as if I were coming to stop at a stop sign or stop light, it wouldn't do it. Hopefully I've solved this. We shall see on next cold startup.

 
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This for sure tells me I'm having 2 separate issues. The suction line on the pump is saturated and so is the bottom of the pump it self. I bought the o-ring kit on ebay with a few bottles of genuine honda ps fluid. 95% sure this is the reason for the nasty humming it's doing. It doesn't leak a drop from what I can see but it's noisey and has lots of bubbles/foam in it.

 
Rep Power: 517

Was the noise like a loud buzz or moaning that changes as you try to turn the steering wheel (pump), or was it a horribly loud screech (belt)?

The inlet hose fitting on the PS pump comes right off with just one bolt, there's a single O ring that seals that fitting to the pump. As it ages the ring hardens and starts leaking--it can let fluid ooze out and it can suck air in. That is how most of them get foaming fluid, but on some the hose gets loose on the reservoir as well.

The reservoir has a filter screen inside it, that screen can get restricted with age and miles and can make the pump howl even without a leaking O ring. Reservoir is pretty cheap to buy new from Honda.

 
Rep Power: 132

Can we allow solving two issues in one thread?

 
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Spoke too soon. Usually it did the loud squeal on startup. Did not do it this time, it squealed while going down the road for a brief moment and then quit, so it's looking as though I didn't solve the issue but rather delayed it? Which is terrible because I know I got that PS belt tighter than it was when I started this ordeal.

 
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It's moaning for sure, pretty sure it needs the o-ring replaced. The suction tube has a very small Crack in it after the clamp near the pump itself so I've ordered a replacement and going to do it all in one shot.

As far as the belt screech it's seeming to be related to the PS system, but the question is why? It's been adjusted 2 times now and it's still making the sound.

 
Rep Power: 517

IF you get a belt screech immediately after startup and/or when the AC kicks on, it's the alternator/AC belt. (this is still my vote)

IF the belt screech happens when you crank the steering wheel all the way to one side and push it, then it's the steering pump belt. (don't confuse belt screech with pump moan and buzz)

Each of these situations presents a high amount of loading on the respective belt, and that loading is when the respective belt is most likely to slip and screech if it's not tight enough.

And...if you aren't turning the steering wheel, the PS belt is nearly freewheeling/minimal load. It's not gonna make belt noise.

IF PS fluid has puked out and got on the belt(s) then all bets are off. Clean up the mess, fix the problem, clean pulleys, replace belt set.