1999-2009 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
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261k on 99 2.3lpt/auto.
So, I got this car from my business partner's daughter when she and her family had to move out of state. She was ready to junk it out, but when I drove it home 20 miles, I thought I could eek a few more miles out of it. The only odd thing was this hum or howl that seemed to come from the area of the power steering reservoir, or pulleys.
Upon a cold start, there was no noise. After 5 miles or so, it would warm up enough to start to become noticeable. After 20 miles, it was very noticeable, although there were, when I moved my head towards the steering wheel, places where the sound was cancelled out.
The funny thing was that the noise was always a constant pitch...a note above middle C. It would get loud when I cruised and the tach hit about 2200. It would get louder when I accelerated gently, but would go away under harder acceleration. On coasting down, it would go away. The pitch would only vary by less than a 1/2 tone...basically the same.
So, I decided it was the PS, and changed the "not too dirty" fluid with the reservoir change out method...3 times with CHF11. No difference. I then added 4 oz Lubeguard. It looked very clean, but there was no discernable difference. Lock to lock turning of the steering wheel provided a typical noise, but it was a completely different pitch and sound.
So...I changed out the somewhat dirty ATF 4 drain and fills, with Amsoil Universal ATF...20 miles between changes. It did not make a difference in the sound. I added Lubeguard ATF tx, but no difference again. Different gears did not affect the pitch either.
I noticed that at 30 mph steady, I could hear the sound, but I could get it to go away when i turned hard to the right. Turning to the left made no difference. (motor mount issue? Steering rack issue?)
I wondered if the AC was the cause...since the idler pulleys should change pitch with RPMs, but maybe the AC would not?? The former owner said the AC did not work, but worked if a can of AC charge was added.
I decided to oil all the pulleys, including the AC bearings as best I can, and that did not change a thing.
The fuel pump sound different than this (I took the cover off and drove it) Maybe it sounds different under the hood.
Unfortunately, I can not hear anything with a tube to my ear, because the howl goes away completely while idling in the driveway. The PS pump sounds fine in this situation. And everything sounds fine even when in drive with tire chalks and parking break on.
Other than this issue, the car drives absolutely great!!
I hate to miss some easy issue. My other 99 sounds nothing like this...no hum at all.
Any ideas as to what would make a constant hum like this?
posted by 75.17.1...
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