If you’ve ever had to change a power steering pump on a car, you know that it can be a messy and time-consuming job. But with the help of this quick guide, you’ll be able to do it in no time at all!
Identification
Power steering pumps are usually located in the engine compartment, but can also be found under the hood or in the trunk. If you’re having trouble determining where your power steering pump is, here are some tips:
-If your car has air conditioning, you may want to check the power steering reservoir on the back of the compressor.
-If your car doesn’t have air conditioning, look for a blue or black HVAC control valve near the pump.
-If you don’t see a power steering pump or control valve, your car may have a manual transmission and the pump may be located in the axle housing.
If you can’t find your power steering pump, or if it’s not working properly, take it to a mechanic for inspection and repair.
How To Bleed A Power Steering Pump
bleeding a power steering pump is an easy and effective way to fix a problem. If your car has low power, the pump may not be able to move the fluid correctly, which can cause problems. Here’s how to do it:
1. Park your car in a safe location with the engine off.
2. Turn off the power to the pump by disconnecting the electrical plug from the pump.
3. Open the hood and locate the bleed screw on the side of the pump. Loosen it by turning it counterclockwise with a wrench until fluid starts flowing freely out of the pump.
4. Close the hood and reattach the electrical plug to the pump. Turn on the power to the pump and wait 10 minutes for it to initialize before driving away.
What To Do If The Pump Is Overheated
If the power steering pump is overheated, it can cause the motor to overheat and fail. In order to prevent this from happening, follow these steps:
1. Shut off the engine.
2. Remove the fuel and air filters.
3. Disconnect the hoses from the pump.
4. Open the pressure vent on the top of the pump.
5. Turn off the power to the pump by removing the plug from the outlet on the wall.
Safety Precautions When Bleeding A Power Steering Pump
Bleeding a power steering pump is a common repair procedure. However, it’s important to take safety precautions when doing so.
Here are some tips:
1. ALWAYS use protective gear, including gloves and eye protection.
2. Bleed the power steering system slowly and evenly. Avoid over-bleeding, which can result in a loss of fluid and pressure in the system.
3. Don’t overfill the reservoir—only add enough fluid to completely cover the piston. Overfilling can cause leaks and damage to the pump.
4. Disconnect the power steering lines at the pump before bleeding it. This will prevent interference from fluid in the lines while you work on the pump.
5. Let the system sit for a few minutes after bleeding before starting up the car. This will allow any residual fluid to dissipate.
Clean Up
If your car is having power steering problems, there’s a good chance the pump is the culprit. It can be a hassle to take the pump off and clean it, but it’s worth it since the pump can literally cause your car to lose power. Here’s how to bleed the power steering pump:
1) Park your car in a safe place with plenty of room to move around.
2) Turn off the engine and remove the key from the ignition.
3) Remove the cover over the power steering pump.
4) Disconnect the pressure line from the pump.
5) Connect one end of a garden hose to the pressure line and turn on the water until it starts flowing.
6) Hold onto the other end of the hose while you slowly release pressure from the pump by depressing the plunger on top of it.
7) Continue releasing pressure until all of it has been released.
8) Reconnect all of the lines and replace the cover over the pump.
Conclusion
If you are experiencing a power steering issue, there are a few things you can do to try and resolve the problem. The first thing is to determine if the power steering pump is causing the issue. If it is, then you will need to replace the power steering pump. However, if it’s not the cause of the problem, then your next step will be to test and/or bleed the system. Bleeding the system can help fix any issues with pressure or fluid levels in the system, and can usually be done by yourself without having to take your car into a mechanic. So whether you’re experiencing an intermittent issue or something more serious, following these steps should help get you back on track and driving safely again.