power steering fluid bubbles

[pchbreeze]

I did a search for this and found quite a few unrelated threads...sorry if its been covered. It seems a simple enough question...

My power steering has been unusually louder recently. I checked the fluid level and (on cold) it was low. I'm guessing its not going to matter too much on hot/cold (I'm not even sure if there is a 'cold' line, doubt it). I need to fill up, but I was wondering if it was bubbling up because it was low? It was only about 1-1/4" below from the line and it seems to operate fine.

Do I have another problem causing it to bubble up or is that as a result of its low level?

[JohnM.]

You might be in the market for a new PS pump soon.

[pchbreeze]

Any second opinions!!!

[JohnM.]

When your PS pump gets low on fluid, it sucks in air. That is why you get bubbles/foaming in the PS reservoir. If you fill it up and it gets quieter that's good. But you still have to figure out where it's leaking/loosing fluid from. Either from the P/S hose or pump itself.

After you filled up, are you still getting bubbles?

[cadurning]

If the P/S system is getting air because it's low on fluid, that air will purge it self. If the leak is around the pump shaft air can enter past the shaft seal and that air will never purge. The key here is find the leak. The P/S pump may be repairable if the problem is the shaft seal. If the shaft is loose you may want to look into another pump.

[230/8]

Your PS should be at the proper level or it can allow air to entrain in the fluid via a vortex action, hence the bubbles. There may still be enough fluid to pump without noise or obvious cavitation, but air can mix in the fluid. Fill to the line and operate it normally a few miles to purge the air. Check it and top up if necessary. If it never seems to get free of bubbles, then you have some other problem on the pump suction side.