I observe a very slight whining when turning my steering at idle when stopped. It is very slight. I looked on my fluid, it is slightly above the low mark, or just about to touch it.

I looked on my power steering pump, and at the very bottom, there is a plate bolted to the bottom and it has a slight damp deposit to it, like it have an extremely small leak. I do not see any sign of fluid dripping, so it is minute. Everything else is very clean, all the tubes going to the pump, the pulley, everything. It is only the very bottom plate.

Anyone has any idea what could be leaking? This is the first time I have need a top up in about 7 years.

 

Well, I added some fluid and the whining went away, but I observe the entire system and I am not concerned that I might have a small leak.

I see dampness in the following locations:
-Bottom plate of PS pump
-Metal PS cooler line connecting to rubber hose
-Rack & Pinion on the driver side, there is a large hex bung/nut thing, around this area is damp.

Should I worry about these damp spots? I do not see dripping, I just see these damp locations.

 

If you fluid level goes down then yes, you would have a leak. It your car is not moving and staying still, turning the wheel and it hum a little then that is normal. I would change out the fluid to see if that helps. What color is your fluid?

 

I think if you open the cap for the power steering res. and turn the steering wheel from left to right all the way a few times it will get some of the air out.....happened to my 240sx back in the day and fixed my whining