Power Steering Aeration Problem. BUBBLES BUBBLES BUBBLES!!

[tacticsfirst]

So, I had my car SMOG tested and I passed with flying colors. But, as I was leaving the shop I noticed my ps pump was making a lot of noise and my steering was very loose. I popped the hood and behold ps fluid all over the drivers side engine bay. I opened the ps reservoir cap an the fluid was very frothy. As a precauition I changed the ps return line with the banjo fitting that goes from the steering bar to the cooler. I added mineral ps fluid and bled the air out of the lines by jacking up the front end and turning the steering wheel from lock to lock slowly about a million times. After a final top off of the fluid to the "M" in Max on the dip stick, I started the car up. It was good for about 30 seconds then the noise returned and the froth came back.

Has anyone had this issue? I have seen a lot of A4 threads on this issue but have not seen much on the S4 side. If anyone can tell me whats up with this It would be much appreciated.

[dparm]

Sounds like the pump might be cavitating due to an obstruction?

[tacticsfirst]

Any way to purge the pump other than rotating the wheel. I have done the process first with the engine off and also with it on.

[JimmyBones]

To properly bleed the power steering you want to leave the cap off.

Then start the engine and turn the steering wheel back and forth like two times. Then shut the engine off and wait for the bubbles to go away. Repeat until all the bubbles are gone. If it takes more than like four tries then you still have an issue.

A lot of people leave the power steering fluid cap on while trying to bleed out the air and the tiny vent hole is not enough. I have seen the rubber lines around power steering pump start leaking from age and they allow air to be sucked into the pump but that problem is much more common with the older 3.0 V6s.

[tacticsfirst]

I'll give it a whirl jimmy. I had the cap off for the process every time bit your suggestion is just different from the ones I have tried so thanks.

[tacticsfirst]

Well, I did it 4 or five times and no bubbles. Then I turned the car on and let it idle and after about 1 min it started aerating again.

[tacticsfirst]

I have ordered a new reservoir from ECS. It seems like my old one may be trapping bubbles behind the filter screen. I'm going to do a complete flush as well. It sux not being able to drive my car.

I know if I take it to a shop the labor hours are going to kill my wallet. I hope this fixes it.

If anyone knows a problem location for air to get sucked in please share your knowledge. I'd rather buy a hose clamp then keep messing with this mess

[S4King]

I have ordered a new reservoir from ECS. It seems like my old one may be trapping bubbles behind the filter screen. I'm going to do a complete flush as well. It sux not being able to drive my car.

I know if I take it to a shop the labor hours are going to kill my wallet. I hope this fixes it.

If anyone knows a problem location for air to get sucked in please share your knowledge. I'd rather buy a hose clamp then keep messing with this mess

I am on the same sinking boat with you. My p/s started to have those symptoms and now its leaking bad from somewhere in the pump area. I am going to replace some hoses and the reservoir.

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[tacticsfirst]

I think I would rather have a leak like you. I don't have a leak that I can find, but then again all the fluid that bubbles out of the reservoir would make it hard to find. I don't even know what I am looking for. If you are replacing the return line from the rack to the cooler, it took me about an hour. 22mm open end wrench for the banjo fitting. If you figure it out, let me know.

[S4King]

I think I would rather have a leak like you. I don't have a leak that I can find, but then again all the fluid that bubbles out of the reservoir would make it hard to find. I don't even know what I am looking for. If you are replacing the return line from the rack to the cooler, it took me about an hour. 22mm open end wrench for the banjo fitting. If you figure it out, let me know.

This will be the third time I do it on two seperate cars. I already replaced the return hose and I am starting to think thats the issue I have again. I have posted on a seperate thread about this issue. Did you reuse the washers on the banjo fitting?

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[tacticsfirst]

I did reuse the washers, it was completely dry up by the rack so I think they were still good

[S4King]

I did reuse the washers, it was completely dry up by the rack so I think they were still good

When you turn your wheel does the return hose flex? Like it does not have enough fluid moving through.

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[tacticsfirst]

When you turn your wheel does the return hose flex? Like it does not have enough fluid moving through.

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Which return, the one going to the reservoir or to the cooler? Id have to get one of my friends to watch.

[S4King]

Which return, the one going to the reservoir or to the cooler? Id have to get one of my friends to watch.

Sorry meant the hose from the pump to the cooler.

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[tacticsfirst]

Ok! So! I think it is fixed. I replaced the reservoir and flushed the fluid really well. No more noise and no more frothing.

I don't know which remedy was the cure, I would suffice to say it was the old fluid. I'm not the first owner of the car and who knows when the last own flushed it if at all. 115,000 mi on it currently, the fluid might have been that old.

Thanks for everyone's help. Now, does anyone know how to get rid of the tacky oily mess under my hood?

[dparm]

Steam-cleaning, or a lot of degreaser.

[tacticsfirst]

Thanks dparm. I'll get at it here shortly.

[S4King]

Ok! So! I think it is fixed. I replaced the reservoir and flushed the fluid really well. No more noise and no more frothing.

I don't know which remedy was the cure, I would suffice to say it was the old fluid. I'm not the first owner of the car and who knows when the last own flushed it if at all. 115,000 mi on it currently, the fluid might have been that old.

Thanks for everyone's help. Now, does anyone know how to get rid of the tacky oily mess under my hood?

Glad you got it fixed. I am still having issues with mine. Fluid is now squirting out of the hole of the reservoir cap. Got a new res ordered but I think the hose coming from the cooler to the tank is not good.

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[beemercer]

good to hear you solve the issue. my S4 had a similar issue and a good fluid flush solved it for me.