Hello! I have a 2002 Monte Carlo SS. I love this car, despite its glitches... mostly electrical creature comforts. However, I have developed a mechanical problem and want to know what I'm in for. Let me give you the background of how this problem developed over time.

A few months ago, I noticed my power steering pump "complained" if I taxed it... like pulling out and making a turn at an intersection. Nothing out of the ordinary, but it would cause a whine that would continue even while going straight for a time. Obviously whining louder when on the gas and not so loud while coasting. Back then, I could avoid this by taking the turn easily and coasting through rather than speeding up during the turn. Much to the irritation of my fellow NY drivers who are perpetually in a rush to get.... somewhere.

I took it to a garage and had the fluid checked. They tell me the fluid was fine and to have the dealer flush the system and sent me on my way.

There seemed to be no actual performance issues... and there's a deep void in my wallet where money should be, so I let it go until it reached a point where it whined all the time whether I'm turning or not. Much worse while turning. And now I can feel the power steering failing at slow speeds, like during a 3 point turn. The steering is rough.

So I made an appointment for next week, but just yesterday I developed a second whine. This one is quite loud upon accelleration and doesn't seem to change whether I'm turning or not. The usual power steering whine is still there... a lower pitch than the new whine.

Is anyone familiar with this problem? What is the second whine? Are both coming from the power steering? Could my belt be a problem? It does not squeal.

The car has 200,000 miles. Yes I drive a lot [8D]

 

Hard to guess about whines over the internet, especially the second one. Either way, I would start by putting some Lucas power steering treatment in the system, but you might have to crack a fitting and drain some out to put some in. That stuff is THE best treatment out there. PERIOD! Kinda like Seafoam is THE best fuel injector and gas treatment, PERIOD!

2nd whine might be the alternator????? Try to describe it, please. How old is the belt?

 

Thank you. The second whine is higher pitched and is heard best when I am on the gas. It gets quite loud as I speed up... say getting onto a freeway. The sound cuts out at some point before the car shifts into second gear... I hear this cut out ONLY if I'm getting on the highway. Around town, I don't hear the distinct cut off of the sound. If my judgment is correct, the sound is coming from the same general area as the belt/pump/alternator... it could be any one of them... or something else entirely, which I'm hoping not.

I considered the alternator... ironically I was musing the other week that I'm surprised I haven't had to replace the alternator yet... something I've had to do in every GM I've ever owned. However I am not seeing any indication of weakness in the battery as I'm driving... indicating that it seems to still be working anyway.

No clue on the age of the belt... although I'm certain it could stand being replaced anyway. I bought the car two years ago and have since put almost 100k on it (all highway). I know the belt had been replaced at least once prior to my acquiring the car because the previous owner took it upon himself to paint a diagram on the engine so he could put it back on! LOL! I suppose he didn't see the diagram that is already there

All that said... while not afraid to stick my head under the hood for little things, I'm not a mechanic and will have to rely on a garage. I'm concerned about getting home... which is at the moment 200 miles away... since that second whine started. I'm hoping it's not an indication of a severe problem that will leave me stranded somewhere along the way.

 

hmm well im not sure where a power steering fluid leak came in or what lucas power steerin treatment does...but if its to stop leaks id suggest not using it and actually gettin the leak fixed. its the same as a coolant leak stop chemical. ur gonna put sumtin in the system that gums up to stop leaks...not the smartest thing when u stop to think about it. first whine is most likely ur power steering pump and ur second whine is way to generic

 

Well it sounds to me like your power steering pump could have simply gone out from age and wear. The lucas power steering pump treatment might hepl quiet it down some, but your system sould be flushed out first to clear out any debris and to help aid in the pump not getting any worse. Now this would only help if the pump isnt too worn already. As for the secone noise i would tackle the first know one and go from there. It may be possible that the pump is making both noises based on the load demand on the power steering system at any given time. Again taking your car to a proper auto shop or maybe the dealer would be the best thing, if you arent too sure of what your doing you may hinder not help your situation.

 

I figured the power steering pump is just old and worn and I'm having it taken care of soon. I am a bit concerned about the second sound and was hoping someone would be familiar with it and know if it could be related to the pump. I would feel better if I knew that is what it is, but I worry about it being something else entirely.... something that will leave me stranded at the worst possible time. Of course I'll mention it to the mechanic when I get the car home. This problem is over my head. Thanks.

 

I wanted to post an update to those who are curious.

I got off easy on the pump as the tech only replace the leaking hose and a belt (unrelated I think). Funny that the other garage I took it to told me the fluid was fine when in fact it wasn't. Go figure.

The bad news is in the process of putting things back together... or so I am told... the guy broke my tie rod ends and had to replace them. Not happy about the price tag, but part of me is glad that happened. As much as it set me back.. with the amount of miles I drive on a weekly basis I'm happy to have a fresh set if the old ones were that bad off. Oddly enough, for about the last 6 months I've been wondering about them... and their condition.

The steering is working great. No noise to speak of and nice and tight. After driving a truck for 6 days, I'm glad to have my Monte back. I missed her.

 

Sounds like the second whine you were hearing probably was the accessory belt. They tend to make a high pitched squealing noise if they get wet (like power steering fluid leaking on them) and slip against the pulleys.

A new hose and serpentine belt is a helluva lot better than having to get a new power steering pump. My first car blew a power steering pump on me when I was 16 (in the days before cell phones). Luckily I was in town near a gas station and could call mom and dad to rescue me.

Your tie rods at 200k miles should have been pretty well shot I would assume. There's a chance that if they were in really bad shape that the tech wouldn't let you take the car out of the shop in poor condition due to liability issues.

Glad everything worked out for you though.

-Riggs.