z4nd

Just recently my em2 has started making this odd, slight whirring noise. When I turn it is much more noticeable , also if I have the car on I can hear something running then a slight click, and it repeats. I searched the problem and came across a thread on civic forums where our problems were similar, and for him it turned out to be the power steering pump. Would that be the cause?

05civic

it could just be that you are low on power steering fluid, that would be a good place to start.

It Wasn't Me

Forgive me if it sounds like I'm being a jerk, but what else could it be if it weren't the power steering pump? It's a noise coming from under the hood that gets louder when you turn the steering wheel.



If it's only doing it for the first few minutes after you start the car, that's normal. Especially in cold weather.

Check the level and condition of your power steering fluid. Make sure there is no foaming or bubbles in the fluid. If there is, it's leaking. If it's dark/contaminated, flush the system with new fluid.

If it's just low, fill it to the max line.

If the level and condition of the power steering fluid are fine, you probably need to overhaul or replace your power steering pump.

z4nd

No worries, all help is apprecciated, I was just verifying what I had found. My fluid shouldnt be low since they were supposed to do all that during my last oil change. Ill look when I get home. Thanks again.

It Wasn't Me

No problem. And I don't trust "oil change" places. They always say they did stuff that they didn't do.

Example; the very last time (shortly after I bought my EM2) I took my car in for an oil change, they said they had checked the air filter and that it was okay. LIES! You have to remove my strut bar in order to take the top of the filter housing off, and I know for a fact that they didn't do that. So how'd they check the filter? They didn't. Just one of a few examples, but you get the idea.



Did you get a chance to look it over? What'd you find out?

Jacyn313

I would go with "It Wasn't Me" and check the fluid levels in the PS reservoir. I'm no honda tech I've only worked on DSM's and Fords but a whining noise when you turn the wheel usually indicates an issue with the power steering system and you always start with the easiest issue to check/repair being the fluid level. If the fluid level is good, and like he said it doesn't look discolored, foamy, or otherwise contaminated then your problem most likely resides in the pump itself. Sometimes they just go bad and need to be replaced you'd know if you had a leak because the fluid would be low, you could possibly see a puddle underneath your vehicle or you'd see wetness around the line fittings if none of that is present then the problem is definitely your pump.

Like I said I don't know honda's very well as I just bought my very first one a year ago but It Wasn't Me helped me out quite a bit solving a super simple problem so I'd say his advice is pretty spot on.

z4nd

Yes I did actually. Completely empty! ! ! Such a shame, they seemed like good people. 5 minute trip to autozone and 4 bucks later, no more whirring. Thanks again for the help, still annoyed at that shop >.< .
I bought 2 bottles, just in case I was leaking, but im not so that means it must have been low, and they didnt bother refilling it.

It Wasn't Me

Shady. Another example of why people should service their own vehicles.


At least it was an easy fix, though!

z4nd

yeah it is, but thats people for ya lol.
Thankfully, I do wish I knew more than just the simple stuff though. One day

It Wasn't Me

Buy a manual! Tellin' ya, it's worth the money. Search around for a used one. I scored one on craigslist from an old couple for only $20. Thing was in mint condition. Not even a greasy fingerprint on any of the pages.

If you have tools and can follow instructions, there pretty much isn't anything you can't do to your car. Provided you have the time to do it. lol

z4nd

I actually am 21. Live on my own with my gf, work 2 jobs and go to school. Free time is limited lol.

AutoXer

What's the procedure for this? I didn't see a link in the FAQ (just one for removing P/S) and haven't found a good deal on a manual yet.

I was just going to pull the tube from the bottom of the reservoir to drain, fill up with fresh fluid, circulate it and repeat a few times.

Does Honda still require a special fluid, or can I use whatever is at the parts store?

AutoXer

Thank you very much

It Wasn't Me

No problem.

I used to have a photo of what I did, but you know how that goes. lol

AutoXer

As soon as the temp gets above zero, I'll be doing this. If I remember, I'll take some pics.