After washing my car today at a car wash i started to leave when all of a sudden i noticed my power steering wasn't working. I got the car home and noticed that the power steering fluid level was a little high so i removed some of the fluid. After doing this i took the car for a spin around the neighborhood and everything was fine. I have had this happen a couple of times before where the power steering just randomly goes out. i am wondering if there is a possibility that the power steering pump maybe has air in the system and is cavatating. Is this possible?

Has anyone else had this problem?

 

Perhaps it boiled over and a bubble isnt escaping your system? Maybe thats why the level seemed high for no reason. This happened on my parents 2001 xterra. It was fixed with a new pump (old car..) and new fluid in the system.

 

could be.


The last time it happened i added a little fluid and let it sit for a few mins and it was fine. Like i said this problem occurs out of the blue.


I don't think it is heat related from the turbos becuase every time it has happened the car has been driven under low load.

 

I agree. It happened to me as well. Even without our turbo system, our power steering oil boils very easily.. Try some heat shielding and maybe upgrade your power steering oil cooler.

 

can you explain your experience and how you resolved it?

 

It could be because you didn't go to the track Saturday

 

didn't have time to change to change my oil saturday sucka.


This 1500 mile oil change interval is owning my *** lol.

 

Did you possibly get the belt wet?

That could cause it to slip a bit and not work properly.

 

You're such a n00b

Jason and I could change that chit in a matter of seconds.

 

Bah not when your intercooler pipes have the oil filter caged in lol!

Its so sad i have to remove my pipes to take the ****ing oil filter off.

 

Go to the 5 Minute Oil change place, I just want to see their reaction

 

any more input guys? This **** is weird. It will happen after a couple of mins of driving (sometimes) and i can shut the car off then immediately turn it back on and the steering is fine.

 

You need an upgraded power steering chip.

 

sounds like the power steering pump.
I had that after a night of doing donuts and the dealer replaced
it under warranty but mine was more severe.

 

When it does it do you hear any noise at all from the engine compartment? Power stearing whine etc?

 

Yeah, didn't you have an issue with your ps overheating?

 

yea the pump still whines.


I am wondering if maybe some debris is in the pump or maybe a air pocket?

 

Day gathering to fix it

 

Don't wait till it makes you get a workout (i.e. allowing it to go out completely); visit your nearest power steering repair shop.

 

If it is making a whining sound it has air in the system and it needs to bled out.Start by having the engine off and turning the steering wheel back and forth multible times.Watch the ps fluid resivour and see if bubbles are present....if they are keep turning the wheel back and forth(your arms will feel like fireballs at this time)untill you see no bubbles.

Once you see no bubbles start the car up and fill the resivour as needed.I had to help Alberto with this same problem and we fixed it.