New PAS pump noisier than the old one

[Camelot1971]

About 3 months ago I had the high pressure pas pipe on my 55 plate Mondeo 2.2 tdci fail. I ended up having to drive 50 miles with no power steering which obviously wasn't good for the car!

Had the pipe replaced and the mechanic said the pump was probably going to be noisy so get it changed in the near future. After a day, it settled down and I got a bit of a whine in first, second, third at low speeds but other than that not noticeable.

This week i decided to be brave and change the pump myself. Not a hard job - I replaced the belt and tensioner too and bought a recon pump off Ebay.

Everything installed, no leaks, used the syringe method to flush the old pas fluid and used the correct green stuff from Ford.

However, even after bleeding the air, the noise is a lot worse than the old pump. I've driven it about 20 miles and left it overnight on my slopped drive, nose higher, but the noise is still there. The whine varies with engine speed and with turning the wheel, although the steering itself feels fine.

Any other suggestions? There doesn't look like there is air in the system - the fluid isn't foaming, although i could have an air pocket?

Next step is the change the reservoir and put a genuine Ford belt on. Could I have been unlucky and have a bad recon unit?

[stevieturbo]

Depends where the recon unit came from !

Some might just clean and paint an old scrap unit...others might actually recon.

And bleeding is simply going from lock to lock a few times with the engine running

[Camelot1971]

I did think that, but it's from Autobitz2007, they have over 14k feedback and not one negative.

I could try another pump but the prices vary so much it's hard to work out what is decent and what isn't!

[dhutch]

stevieturbo said:

Depends where the recon unit came from !

Some might just clean and paint an old scrap unit...others might actually recon.

I assume it arrived look new in a nice box? Rather than looking like it came of a scrapper? Ant branding to the pump packaging and or eBay account?

Daniel

[dhutch]

stevieturbo said:

Depends where the recon unit came from !

Some might just clean and paint an old scrap unit...others might actually recon.

I assume it arrived look new in a nice box? Rather than looking like it came of a scrapper? Ant branding to the pump packaging and or eBay account?

Daniel

[Camelot1971]

Pump came well wrapped but not in a box as such, no markings, painted black but return label is ACS Power steering. I have to send my old one back to them but as they don't take a deposit not sure how that works via Ebay! It was £65 so cheap and perhaps it is buy cheap, buy twice.

I've decided to buy a branded new one off Ebay and give that a whirl. If it fixes the issue I can send the first one back.

[dhutch]

I would buy a from carparts4less or the like. Atleast they are reasonably know supplier who are tracable.


Daniel

[DrDeAtH]

Even your local motor factors / spares shop will be best placed to supply a recon pump.
At least you can see what and who you are buying from.

[Camelot1971]

dhutch said:

I would buy a from carparts4less or the like. Atleast they are reasonably know supplier who are tracable.


Daniel

Cheers, that's what I have done.

[Sardonicus]

Are you sure the strainer in the reservoir pot is not choked up with silt/debris from years of service ? this will cause the pump to be noisy through lack of oil to the pump although the system will still function

[Camelot1971]

Sardonicus said:

Are you sure the strainer in the reservoir pot is not choked up with silt/debris from years of service ? this will cause the pump to be noisy through lack of oil to the pump although the system will still function

I've seen that mentioned before - I have found a decent used one on Ebay so will swap it out and see if that makes a difference before changing the pump.

[bangerhoarder]

I'm not sure if these are as affected as the mk4 Mondeo, but a noisy pump is a sign of either:

Air in system - turn it lock to lock a few times
Blocked filter/strainer in fluid reservoir - but this is usually caused by:
Failing seals in steering rack, which will need to be replaced or refurbed.

Rarely is the pump at fault. Currently got a Streetka with a very noisy and juddery steering action - the pump will be the last part to get looked at here.