View Full Version : PS pump temperature
I successfully changed out my leaking ford style power steering pump last night (thank you weendoggy for the chat) and no apparent leaks when I fired it up. Blueprint was extremely easy to work with on getting a replacement sent out. But, after only running for a minute or so I turned the car off to inspect further and found the pump was extremely hot. I had filled the reservoir before the test, but it was a little low on fluid afterwards as fluid worked its way through the hoses so I topped it off. I will fire it up again this evening when I get home, but am curious if it is normal for the ps pump to get this hot?
My serpentine belt is set such that I can twist it 90 degrees, but no more, so I think I have the tension correct. There is not a tensioner on the BP347. Could this just be from running with low fluid, tension too much, something else?
Thanks for any thoughts.
Dave M
03-06-2024, 10:43 PM
Did you bleed the system by turning the wheel lock to lock a few times and do you have a cooling loop plumbed in the system?
yes and no. I turned the wheel lock to lock a few times but do not have a separate ps cooler. the car was on jack stands though so I would not expect any strain on the system. I supect I had insufficient fluid initially and the pump was running a bit lean I will try again tomorrow to see if the pump is still hot after a few minutes. I have also read that ford ps pumps have tight bearings that need to be broken in a bit.
steno
03-07-2024, 02:16 PM
I was concerned about the temp myself! So I put a trans cooler in the return line. Still gets warm, but honestly don't know if it made a difference overall. Car has over 100k trouble free miles so maybe it was a good idea!
To close this out, it must have been either a little low on fluid (probably) or tightly packed bearings that needed to be worked a bit, but the pump is much cooler now. Not cool by any means, but I can put my hand on it after the car is shut down, so it appears ok.
Nigel Allen
03-08-2024, 05:39 PM
Maybe on the first run when the pump got hot, the fluid may have been aerated. Compressing all the bubbles causes generation of heat.
CraigS
03-09-2024, 08:19 AM
Way back when I had loss of assist near the end of an autocross run on hot days. PS fluid from a Honda dealer was a 90% fix so I always recommend using it. Auto parts stores have generic brand fluids labeled to be usable in Hondas but I always go to a dealer for mine. A cooler in the return line like steno did was my 100% fix.