(97' Civic EX) My car makes a strange vacuum noise and it is coming from the power steering pump area, I just now finished installing a new power steering pump but hear the sound still. Has anyone encountered this and can they explain?

 

what do you mean by a vacuum sound? like a whining? is your line clogged or did you not use the honda power steering fluid?

 

like a a high pitched whining, vacuum grinding like sound...yes, I made sure to use the honda power steering fluid, I actually just checked the car again and the noise seems to come in and out, higher lower or not audible at times

 

may need to bleed it?

 

Maybe the belts are on too tight?

 

x2

 

You might have air in the system, top the fluid off and turn the steering wheel side to side (all the way left and right, untill u see no air bubbles in the resovior). If you dont have enough PS fluid or if there is a leak( even a lil) its will make that noise. Good luck.

 

this my guess.