Why does the power steering pump scream in cold weather?

[GitEmSteveDave]

So I've been suffering with my power steering pump screaming until I get up to temperature thanks to the Polar Vortex here in NJ.

My question is why, exactly, does it make that noise?

 

[jeeplib05]

Mine began squealing when it was cold for a little while and eventually it snapped when I was about to get on the freeway..
Replaced it with a $150 one and still squeaks and is frozen solid (can’t turn the wheel at all) until it’s warmed up and also leaked like crazy
I put Lucas power steering stuff in it to prevent the leaking and it helped quite a bit but it just needs replaced again

 

[Zero402]

I thought mine was on its way out because on occasion here in Fla when it was cold ( sorry ) it would make the typical whine till warmed up. Its the beginning signs the pump is on its way out. I read this : the fluid is thicker when cold, and when it warms up it gets thinner and noise goes away. on a weaker pump, the thicker fluid makes the pump and shaft worker harder and you get the noise. get rid of the stop leak that is in it as it is thicker and cause the pump and shaft to work harder and use low temp fluid.

 

[GitEmSteveDave]

I thought mine was on its way out because on occasion here in Fla when it was cold ( sorry ) it would make the typical whine till warmed up. Its the beginning signs the pump is on its way out. I read this : the fluid is thicker when cold, and when it warms up it gets thinner and noise goes away. on a weaker pump, the thicker fluid makes the pump and shaft worker harder and you get the noise. get rid of the stop leak that is in it as it is thicker and cause the pump and shaft to work harder and use low temp fluid.

I use ATF+4 and have been topping it off with fresh fluid.

So is the noise from thicker fluid being pushed through a small aperture?

 

[LibertyTC]

ATF+4 is a synthetic fluid, which is good, the problem is the super cold temps.
I would recommend letting the Jeep warm up fully before driving off, or even moving the steering wheel.
The increase in pressure on the lines if it is that cold, is asking for something to leak or break.
It should not have to be topped off unless there is a leak, which will allow air to enter system= noisy whines.
Air will really cause the system be noisy..

 

[ltd02]

My 02 would squeal like a pig whenever it was below about 20F. Did this as long as I had it (about 9 years and almost 100k) The PO mixed the ATF+4 with the original PS fluid (02s had Mopar power steering fluid stock). I flushed the fluid but no help. Never changed the pump and it never failed. My 05 has an aftermarket pressure line on it (PO) and it whines when it gets hot. Changed the pump once (to a Cardone) and slightly better but still there. I blame the hose. Not a peep the other day when it was -2F.

 

[kejobe]

No noises from mine, from -5* up. Hasn't been colder than that (except wind chill). I use ATF+4.

 

[tommudd]

My 04 did a little screaming before the pump went bad,( at 190,000 miles ) but wasn't really loud
03 and 05 never have made any noises, of course both have been flushed and refilled for normal maintenance

 

[wycowboy]

I just replaced mine on my 06 (150K miles) and it whines when it's cold out. I don't know if the old pump whined or not because I just got it at the end of last August. I am more familiar with Fords and their power steering pumps can be noisy at times so I am going to ignore this for now and hope for the best.

 

[first&lastKJ]

The wifes 02 has had this whine for 5 or 6 years now. It only does it when it is really cold. I'm not worried about it for now, I guess when it finally goes out I'll replace it.

 

[CherokeeLiberty]

My '07 squeals in the cold, and so does my '90 XJ. It's just the way it is when it's cold.

 

[turblediesel]

Cavitation, or sucking air, can make that noise. Like when the fluid gets too low. Air gets in the system and blows bubbles.

 

[JasonJ]

Mine does it.. and the belt squeals a bit too when it's 30 degrees or lower.. worse when colder of course.. give it about 3-4 mins and it starts to quiet.. by 5-7 mins in, it's silent.

It just is what it is... I keep the fluid clean and full, replace it as scheduled and I'm sure I'll get as much life out of the pump as it can give. However long that ends up being.

 

[GitEmSteveDave]

I've only had her for a year come Feb, 19th, so I'm not sure what the previous owner(s) put in. I'm due for an oil change soon, so maybe I'll have them do a flush. I try to let her warm up to at least 100F coolant temp, but I tend to run late in the mornings, so I can't go more than 5-6 minutes. I also have at least 5 hard 90 degree turns before I even go a mile from home. I seem to be losing fluid since it's been screaming, so I'm guessing as the air is getting in, and causing the screaming, fluid is escaping. I have been topping off 1/4" or so every two weeks.

Since it's ATF+4, would something like Lucas ATF Fix help? I ask because I realize I have a sealed bottle sitting in my shed after the Dodge 3500 blew a line and dumped all my ATF+4 on the road, causing me to get my Libby.

 

[dude1116]

Yep I have a slow leak somewhere. Haven't been able to pinpoint it though. Air gets in, ATF gets bubbly/foamy, and the pump SCREAMS. Really freaking loud. It's gotten worse every winter for the past few years.

I've replaced the rack and all o-rings and seals. The only thing left is the pump.

 

[LibertyTC]

I've only had her for a year come Feb, 19th, so I'm not sure what the previous owner(s) put in. I'm due for an oil change soon, so maybe I'll have them do a flush. I try to let her warm up to at least 100F coolant temp, but I tend to run late in the mornings, so I can't go more than 5-6 minutes. I also have at least 5 hard 90 degree turns before I even go a mile from home. I seem to be losing fluid since it's been screaming, so I'm guessing as the air is getting in, and causing the screaming, fluid is escaping. I have been topping off 1/4" or so every two weeks.

Since it's ATF+4, would something like Lucas ATF Fix help? I ask because I realize I have a sealed bottle sitting in my shed after the Dodge 3500 blew a line and dumped all my ATF+4 on the road, causing me to get my Libby.

I personally would not use anything other than ATF+4 in the PS system, over concerns about what is could do to plug stuff up & or change the viscosity in cold weather as well.
Is the fluid red inside the PS reservoir?
You could try a flush but you still need to find source of leak, look closely at all the lines/seals.
Try getting some new ATF+4 (which is synthetic) into system.
At wallmart, in the jerry cans isle, there is a good suction device $4 called a flo tool-mix mizer walmart # 1042459
I use this to suction out old fluid & replace with fresh ATF+4 occasionally.

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[tommudd]

I always use a good old turkey baster, picked up 5 of them at the Dollar Store a few years ago for 99 cents each, still using the first one , rest are on the shelf yet. :happy175:

 

[GitEmSteveDave]

Try getting some new ATF+4 (which is synthetic) into system.
At wallmart, in the jerry cans isle, there is a good suction device $4 called a flo tool-mix mizer walmart # 1042459
I use this to suction out old fluid & replace with fresh ATF+4 occasionally.

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I didn't want to drive to Wal-Mart, and then I remembered that I live on a horse farm and have tons of syringes in our sharps box! So I got a 12cc and went to town. The fluid that came out wasn't exactly red, but more yellowish:

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I hit a point where there was a baffle, and I couldn't go any further, so I attached a plastic straw(I'm hoarding them as some NJ towns are outlawing them) and it allowed me to get to the bottom of the tank via the back right corner:

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I sucked out this much fluid and you can see some fresh ATF+4 on the towel next to the stuff I sucked out and the color difference. The tanks now filled and very red! And yes, I'm gonna hit that tank with some cleaner+a hose when I get to the store next.

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We'll see if when the temp dives in a few days if it screams.

 

[tommudd]

What I do is get the front tires off the ground, suck as much out as I can refill, turn wheels back and forth 10-12 times, suck more out, refill, turn wheels again keep doing this 3-4 times
Just did the 05s today

 

[GitEmSteveDave]

What I do is get the front tires off the ground, suck as much out as I can refill, turn wheels back and forth 10-12 times, suck more out, refill, turn wheels again keep doing this 3-4 times
Just did the 05s today

Engine running?