Mine is a RWD, which is a relatively less complex machine as compared to an AWD...I agree.
OK - here is the latest update. I went to the dealer today and along with the technician that is working on my car, did a couple of test drives. I was not able to reproduce the sound. I was about to give up. While we were about to park in the parking lot, I had to stop the car in the middle of a full turn. I slightly turned the steering wheel while the car was not moving (remember - the wheel was already tightly turned at that point). Much to our surprise, there comes a loud, squeaking, grinding noise! I did it again and the noise was reproduced. So finally we were in a position to reproduce the sound as and when anybody wanted to do so.
The technician told me that the problem is with the Power Steering pump and that it needs to be replaced. Looks like we are going somewhere finally.
I have two questions at this point:
1) Does anybody know if this and the engine stalling are related in any way?
2) How serious a repair is the Power Steering pump replacement? Would this have any impact on the overall functioning of the car? I am asking this question because the car is just 3 weeks old!
Good news - you've got a diagnosis that makes sense.
No, the PS pump is not a big deal. Yes, it's conceivable it caused the engine stall you were talking about.
What bugs me about this is that any real car veteran should have been able to recognize a noisy power steering system right from the get-go - you said you had at least one tech who listened to it at the beginning - shame on him for not immediately recognizing what was going on.
Anyway, this is not a common problem, but stuff happens, and you should be on your way soon with a quiet car.
I am also concerned about that. Why couldn't these guys even reproduce the problem after working on my car for 3 days? I had to go there personally and do that. Not only the technician that came along with me the first day, but also the one that is working on it had heard the sound intermittently when they had test driven the vehicle in my absence. How come they did not figure out what the problem was?
I am also apprehensive about the diagnosis. What if the Steering Gear is faulty and the teeth are wearing off when I make tight turns? Maybe it is something else? The technicians look very young to me, but maybe I am being paranoid here.
At least I know what to look for after they rectify it. Keeping my fingers crossed. Had to cancel my long weekend plans because of this
Thanks,
Anil
Last edited by Anil Nandagopan : 07-03-2008 at 03:34 PM.
I can understand your concerns, but the PS pump replacement is not something to worry about, and I really, really doubt there is a problem elsewhere in your steering.
Some research that I did has revealed that when the pump is bad, there would be a whining sound, as opposed to a grinding/squealing sound. The sound that comes from my car is certainly grinding/squealing and not whining.
Also, there is no tightness in the steering nor are there any leakes. The fluid level in the Power Steering reservoir is maximum. Aren't these indications that the pump might not be defective?
Anyway - hopefully I would come to know early next week. Thanks for all your inputs. Appreciate that very much.
Ok, the problem with my car is solved now and it is with me after almost 10 days with the dealer!
The interesting thing is that they discovered that the pump was actually alright. The belt tightening device was having some defects. They replaced it. They also increased the idle speed from 500 RPM to 650 RPM. This I presume is to prevent the car from stalling again.
Is increasing the idle speed to 650 RPM a good thing? Would it push up the gas consumption overall?
That would be the belt tensioner, and that makes sense.
No, the very slightly increased idle is not going to make any noticeable difference in fuel use.
Incidentally, I almost said something about the belt - it very occasionally can be the source of various noises, usually traceable to a defective tensioner. Before we bought our '89 E, I test drove a car identical to the one we eventually bought that managed to make the belt into rubber linguini in less than 5 miles....we were on the freeway, and I heard it, and immediately turned around and headed back to the dealership [the salesman with me was completely oblivious to what was going on]....the belt was in shreds. In that case, there was a slight misalignment between the tensioner and one of the pulleys. Chewed it up and spit it out.
Last edited by jrct9454A : 07-09-2008 at 02:29 PM.
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