Hey Honda/Acura People,

I need some help diagnosing my 2002 Acura RSX Type-S power steering issues...I've tried some things and I'm not super proud of where I'm at...

Long story - Power steering was whining, so I changed the pump along with the high and low pressure lines (I noticed the low-pressure side was leaking where lines were attaching to the fastened metal tubes). I opted for a piece of trash aftermarket pump (~$60) which was probably a bad idea...the whine ultimately did not go away.

The latest - No symptoms when the car is cool and just started. After the car is warmed up and driven for about 10-15 minutes: when putting in steering inputs (both when stationary and in motion) the power steering whines, steering feels heavier, and the steering wheel vibrates.

Observations:
Power steering fluid temperature measured at the reservoir ~220-250 F (seems hot? what's normal for our cars?)
If I look into the reservoir, the fluid level is high in the exterior portion of the tank, and low on the inside with the fluid rushing down the feed like a whirlpool. I don't notice much in the way of air bubbles or anything like that. (Is this whirlpool situation normal?)

I've ordered another pair of the inlet and outlet o-rings, we'll see how that shakes out.

Any thoughts about what could be going on? Any other things I should look at?

Thanks for any help you can offer. I'd like to keep the ol' girl running. Everything else on the car is dynamite.


After ~10 minute warmup



After ~10 minute warmup and a ~10 minute drive with some mountain roads.