[silver623arrow]

Looking for collective feedback/wisdom -

My indie stated it was urgent I replace the my power steering pump due to leaks and sounds (moans and growl). If a growl still persist after the repair they'll likely need to replace the steering rack too.

I don't hear any sounds (whirring or growling sounds as indicated from previous threads), nor do I have any issues with my steering. There also doesn't seem to be any residues from a leak around the reservoir or hoses, but there does seem to be some build up around the pump (pic below). I was quoted over $800 to in parts ($600) and labor ($250). I'll likely go with FCP's Bosch Volvo Steering Pump if I need to make this repair. The R is an 06 with little over 100k miles. TIA!

 

[Exocet]

That's nothing, relatively speaking. I replaced the fluid in mine at about 140k and that eliminated 90% of the leaking around the front seal. Old, thin fluid leaks more.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[hoonk]

I don't hear any sounds (whirring or growling sounds as indicated from previous threads), nor do I have any issues with my steering. There also doesn't seem to be any residues from a leak around

Don't fix what's not broken. The most common reason the pump growls - the fluid got low, pump whipped air into it, now pump is noisy. 99% of the time if you get the aerated fluid out the pump will be quiet. And you will certainly get the aerated fluid out by replacing everything Or just get the air out.

 

[silver623arrow]

Thank you to you both @Exocet @hoonk! Looks like I'll be searching for a new indie too!

 

[The Driver]

I've worked on a lot of P2r's, I've almost never seen a pump fail, especially with sub 150k.

 

[Oro-o]

I just don't see a problem there, and if you don't hear one...

What I do to keep the system healthy is run a little B12 through it to remove varnish and loosen debris. Pull the return line at the reservoir after two days of driving with that, and run it to empty 1/2 qt into a pan. (About 4 seconds with the engine on). Add to the reservoir, repeat 2 more times. 1.5qts total through will give a full flush. Dex III is an excellent ATF and superior to the OE Pentosin fluid, unless you live near the arctic circle.

Do this to flush the system and you'll have a lot of insurance against system problems. Major issue is never, ever doing any maintenance which leads to rapidly deteriorating racks and pumps.

 

[JCN]

Thank you to you both @Exocet @hoonk! Looks like I'll be searching for a new indie too!

Yeah the pandemic hurt lots of auto shops especially the volvo only places. Plus electric will take over, theres 5 -10 yrs or so left in the gas engine service /auto repair business. Except Cuba.

Prices for parts at the volvo dealer here in SF bay increased as they now add $$ to list price! total bs. dealer owner total douche. plus they sell mclaren...

Feel bad for the small shops and whatnot but if your indie is gonna misdiagnose unintentional or intentional w/o concern for root cause analysis then move on

 

[DTra1n]

I just don't see a problem there, and if you don't hear one...

What I do to keep the system healthy is run a little B12 through it to remove varnish and loosen debris. Pull the return line at the reservoir after two days of driving with that, and run it to empty 1/2 qt into a pan. (About 4 seconds with the engine on). Add to the reservoir, repeat 2 more times. 1.5qts total through will give a full flush. Dex III is an excellent ATF and superior to the OE Pentosin fluid, unless you live near the arctic circle.

Do this to flush the system and you'll have a lot of insurance against system problems. Major issue is never, ever doing any maintenance which leads to rapidly deteriorating racks and pumps.

Could you elaborate on your draining method for the power steering system? Pull the return line with the car running?

I think mine could use a full flush.

 

[Oro-o]

Could you elaborate on your draining method for the power steering system? Pull the return line with the car running?

I think mine could use a full flush.

Drain the reservoir and put in clean fluid. Sometimes I disconnect the suction hose to get what I can out of it first, but it’s not critical. Pull the return hose and direct it into a pan or some vessel. Now it differs - if you have a helper, you can have them start the car and then tell them to stop when the reservoir gets low so you can add more. It pumps too quickly to reliably do it yourself running back and forth. If you are alone, lifting the front and turning the wheel lock to lock, thus making the rack a pump, is safer. Or you can run the car a few seconds, stop it, go check, etc.

I use either a premium ester PSF like Redline or Lubeguard (sometimes), or DexIII fortified with Lubegard additive (more often). The ester oil helps w/heat transfer a little bit (not a lot), but it does wonders for hoses and seals and keeping the system clean. Solid chemistry here, not empty promises.

 

[DTra1n]

Drain the reservoir and put in clean fluid. Sometimes I disconnect the suction hose to get what I can out of it first, but it’s not critical. Pull the return hose and direct it into a pan or some vessel. Now it differs - if you have a helper, you can have them start the car and then tell them to stop when the reservoir gets low so you can add more. It pumps too quickly to reliably do it yourself running back and forth. If you are alone, lifting the front and turning the wheel lock to lock, thus making the rack a pump, is safer. Or you can run the car a few seconds, stop it, go check, etc.

I use either a premium ester PSF like Redline or Lubeguard (sometimes), or DexIII fortified with Lubegard additive (more often). The ester oil helps w/heat transfer a little bit (not a lot), but it does wonders for hoses and seals and keeping the system clean. Solid chemistry here, not empty promises.

Excellent, thanks. I'm a chemistry kind of guy, haha (Chemical Engineer). I will likely go with the DexIII. ...Many moons ago I owned BMWs, and I believe this power steering fluid was BMW's spec.

Appreciate you detailing out the two different approaches. Thankfully, I do have help.

 

[Oro-o]

Excellent, thanks. I'm a chemistry kind of guy, haha (Chemical Engineer). I will likely go with the DexIII. ...Many moons ago I owned BMWs, and I believe this power steering fluid was BMW's spec.

Appreciate you detailing out the two different approaches. Thankfully, I do have help.

I drove BMWs and then Audis in the 90s and 00s (still have an older Audi). They all came w/Pentosin in the PS and the old guys told me to get it out and use Dex III. I didn’t know why but I trusted them. I have subsequently got a bac. In chemistry and then lot so graduate work (but in biochem). But at least I can follow the science/technical articles or discussion now. Pentosin is a one-size-fits all fluid designed for extreme cold - like a 0w-30 oil. So it has an extremely thin base stock and then is loaded with viscosity index improvers, which shear down and then the oil becomes water over time. Now I get it, and why Pentosin PS systems that are never serviced eventually eat themselves (like in a lot of P2 Volvos!).

 

[DTra1n]

I drove BMWs and then Audis in the 90s and 00s (still have an older Audi). They all came w/Pentosin in the PS and the old guys told me to get it out and use Dex III. I didn’t know why but I trusted them. I have subsequently got a bac. In chemistry and then lot so graduate work (but in biochem). But at least I can follow the science/technical articles or discussion now. Pentosin is a one-size-fits all fluid designed for extreme cold - like a 0w-30 oil. So it has an extremely thin base stock and then is loaded with viscosity index improvers, which shear down and then the oil becomes water over time. Now I get it, and why Pentosin PS systems that are never serviced eventually eat themselves (like in a lot of P2 Volvos!).

Makes perfect sense to me... I'm going to post an introduction / build thread soon and I can provide some more background on my car and myself! This has been really helpful though - definitely on more short list of items to address. Just acquired the vehicle.