power steering prob.

[f-a-t-b-o-y]

1995 mazda mx6 2.5l v6

it had a small leak but operated normaly. after other repairs and bumpin it it began to drizzel. well after sittin for two days, all the fluid drained out. now, not thinking about it we started the car and the power steering pump is screeching like a coyote in a trash compactor! ew put fluid in it( even though it was draining out) and the noise did not stop. it did have a TON of air bubbles in it though. would the air bubles cause the noise? would i have killed the pump or will it be fine if i replace the leaky hose and refill it? any help you guys can give is greatly appreciated. thanks in advance.

 

[Matthew Currie]

I don't think you'll really know until you replace the hose and fill it, and perhaps bleed it as well. Some PS systems (like the XJ) just call for a couple of turns of the wheels lock to lock, but others (for example VW Jetta) require that you loosen the output hose and bleed the pump. Usually that will quiet it down, assuming that the belt isn't also slipping. If there's pump damage it will usually show up as a buzzing noise. If it doesn't stop buzzing, there's a good chance that the pump was damaged by running dry.

 

[f-a-t-b-o-y]

thanks!