Hi and thanks in advance for your help. Older non-mechanic lady here... I have a 2000 Civic LX with 205K miles, heavy duty daily driver, 150+ miles/day in city/suburban traffic. Two weeks ago I noticed a low-grade sound coming from the driver's side engine compartment, like a second constant hum just above the usual engine noise. I heard it for a couple days, then while driving heard a weird and loud hissing/stretching noise like something rubbery was being wound up or pulled out of shape, especially on acceleration. That sound was intermittent, about every 15 seconds, and I stopped after 1/4 mile and got towed to my shop. They found a bulging upper radiator hose and a leaking power steering rack. Hose was replaced that day and the rack replaced the next week. I could still hear a noise just above the engine sounds. Two days after the new rack was installed I had trouble turning the wheel from a cold start. The first left and right turns at slow speed needed extra effort and came with a whining noise. Turning at speed wasn't an issue. When I got home I the engine noise had become a loud constant whirring sound, almost like a liquid is running, really clear in the cabin, not so obvious outside the car or in the engine bay, although with the hood popped there's definitely unusual noise on the driver's side near the belts (I think). This morning the whirring sound was very loud when starting the car, the wheel was harder to turn and quite whiny when turning, and I ended up only backing out of the driveway and right back in. Not ashamed to admit I panicked a bit! Didn't think to pop the hood and check the PS fluid level or for bubbles, and didn't check under the car for leaks. I've spent a few hours online trying to figure this out. So far it seems like it could be a failing PS pump, a bad/leaking rack, air in the lines, excessive pressure in the lines. It's going back to the shop first thing Monday a.m. I'm worried about whether it's safe to drive the 1/2 hour to the shop or if I should have it towed. I think just the noise alone would make the drive miserably anxious. She sounds like she'd going to blow Any input you have is so appreciated! My only experience working on a car is limited to changing plugs/wires and checking fluids. Any ideas? Anything in particular I should tell the mechanics?

 

This is likely a low power steering fluid level resulting from a leak. You can easily check the level in the reservoir yourself. Do not drive with no fluid as (the awful noise should tell you) that damages the pump.

Note that only certain fluids can be used in the system-- most generic "power steering fluid" not specified for Honda will ruin the seals and cause leaks. Hopefully your mechanic was aware of that or he's going to have to spend a bunch of money fixing his mistake.

 

Was the rack bleed of any fluid?

 

Rack guide to tight?