My friends 96 Accord has a problem with the ps pump. The pump makes tons of noise when the engine is running and the car doesn't have power steering for the most part. When it does it gets short bursts of it.

Would the cause be something in the lines or resivoir or the ps pump itself just dying. The fluid is up to the full line also.

Thanks in advance.

 

I hate to say to get a new P.S. pump, but I am not sure how to diagnose the pump without hooking up a pressure gauge.

For starters, I would check that the P.S. belt is in good shape and has enough tension.

 

Also check the screen in the reservoir. Down low (submerged in fluid) there's a fine mesh screen built into the reservoir. If that gets plugged with crud, it can starve the pump of fluid.

 

thanks guys ill check the screen in the res. it was pretty dirty when we dumped it the begin with but I was kind of just hoping for the best.

 

I would venture to say that you need to replace the pump..No loss of level in the fluid and you have the noise..designates the pump bearing has gone out or will be out soon..

WheelBrokerAng

 

I had a similar problem with mine. I bought all new internal seals for the pump and rebuilt it. Costs about 35 bucks. Reinstalled the pump and still ran like crap and whined really bad. I went to Advance Auto and bought an original rebuilt pump with a lifetime warantee. (Honda wanted 350 for a rebuilt.) Intsalled that one and have had no issues.

Good Luck!