2003 Taurus 3.0 ltr V6----FIXED

[Bart Sr.]

How do you tell the difference between the Overhead Valve type and the Dual Overhead Cam type????

We recently put 5,000 miles in one week and the power steering pump is whining under load.It was off the stick for fluid level so I topped it but it still whines.Could it have air in the system??The car has 105,000 miles so I am having trouble deciding whether to replace with new/used or try purging the system if it is not too difficult.I am not familiar with the purging technique.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: 2003 Taurus 3.0 ltr V6

Re: 2003 Taurus 3.0 ltr V6

Eighth digit of vin #. ohv= U, dohc=S.

And don't replace that pump just yet. Low on fluid means you
have a leak somewhere. That also let's air in causing the whine.

Good Luck.

 

[Bart Sr.]

Re: 2003 Taurus 3.0 ltr V6

Re: 2003 Taurus 3.0 ltr V6

Thanks DS--It is the OHV.
Now I hope someone can acquaint me with the purging procedure so I can tackle it.

 

[Knot Waiting]

Re: 2003 Taurus 3.0 ltr V6

Re: 2003 Taurus 3.0 ltr V6

Purging air from the power steering system is really nothing more than working the wheel slowly from left to right until the fluid stops frothing in the reservoir. Check periodically to make sure the fluid level is ok. Ive heard of some people putting a vacuum on the system (complicated to do) but I have never had an instance where I needed to do that.

 

[Stachi]

Re: 2003 Taurus 3.0 ltr V6

Re: 2003 Taurus 3.0 ltr V6

I would be curious where the fluid went...it's supposed to be a closed system...the fluid doesn't evaporate.....you have a leak in the system my friend...repair the leak first......hopefully the pump did not sustain damage due to low fluid level.

 

[Stachi]

Re: 2003 Taurus 3.0 ltr V6

Re: 2003 Taurus 3.0 ltr V6

Purging air from the power steering system is really nothing more than working the wheel slowly from left to right until the fluid stops frothing in the reservoir. Check periodically to make sure the fluid level is ok. Ive heard of some people putting a vacuum on the system (complicated to do) but I have never had an instance where I needed to do that.

You can bleed most of the air out of the system by turning the steering wheel full to the right, full to the left , around 25 times or so...WITH ENGINE OFF....jack the front end of the car up (unless you have a lift to use )turn the ignition switch until the steering wheel is unlocked, and go for it. This is the safe method for bleeding a power steering system after new pump installation for most cars.

P.S. sucks when ya lose count of the turns....

 

[Bart Sr.]

Re: 2003 Taurus 3.0 ltr V6

Re: 2003 Taurus 3.0 ltr V6

Well the fluid is not foamy but I have not tried the turning suggestion with the engine shut off.I will try again in the morning.

 

[DavidW2009]

Re: 2003 Taurus 3.0 ltr V6

Re: 2003 Taurus 3.0 ltr V6

It's not unusual for Ford P/S pumps make noise.

The high pressure line goes bad on the Taurus, as well as the lines to the P/S cooler and the rack and pinion (now you're getting into some bucks in labor). It's also possible for a bad/loose inside tie rod end to effect P/S leakage.

Put a piece of clean cardboard under the car overnight and check to see if and where the leaks are coming from.

 

[642mx]

Re: 2003 Taurus 3.0 ltr V6

Re: 2003 Taurus 3.0 ltr V6

You can bleed most of the air out of the system by turning the steering wheel full to the right, full to the left , around 25 times or so...WITH ENGINE OFF....jack the front end of the car up (unless you have a lift to use )turn the ignition switch until the steering wheel is unlocked, and go for it. This is the safe method for bleeding a power steering system after new pump installation for most cars.

P.S. sucks when ya lose count of the turns....

I'm not sure where you heard this, but thats inaccurate and can be dangerous in FMC power steering units. When you turn the wheel without the pump running, you will make the problem worse, not better.

I'm a former Ford Technician, ASE certified, and hold a degree in Auto Service Technology.

 

[642mx]

Re: 2003 Taurus 3.0 ltr V6

Re: 2003 Taurus 3.0 ltr V6

How do you tell the difference between the Overhead Valve type and the Dual Overhead Cam type????

We recently put 5,000 miles in one week and the power steering pump is whining under load.It was off the stick for fluid level so I topped it but it still whines.Could it have air in the system??The car has 105,000 miles so I am having trouble deciding whether to replace with new/used or try purging the system if it is not too difficult.I am not familiar with the purging technique.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Air in the system, doesn't cause a Fords power steering unit to whine, squeal, chirp or sing the blues. Air causes the wheel to jerk from your hand when you turn the wheel. It creates a "dead" spot with no assist, and then when it passes the air pocket it over steers itself.

The BEST way to bleed air from the system is to start and warm the engine to operating temp (heats the P/S fluid) and slowly work the wheel from steering stop to steering stop. Don't move it quickly and keep the wheels on the ground where they belong.

Ford P/S units whine when they are new. Its one of the biggest complaints with the Ford product, but its also one of the best pumps available. Inspect your rack assembly for leaks... its pretty common for them to leak into the tie rod boots and not even drip on the ground. Poke around on the boots and see if fluid drops out.

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: 2003 Taurus 3.0 ltr V6

Re: 2003 Taurus 3.0 ltr V6

How do you tell the difference between the Overhead Valve type and the Dual Overhead Cam type????

We recently put 5,000 miles in one week and the power steering pump is whining under load.It was off the stick for fluid level so I topped it but it still whines.Could it have air in the system??The car has 105,000 miles so I am having trouble deciding whether to replace with new/used or try purging the system if it is not too difficult.I am not familiar with the purging technique.

Thanks in advance for your help.

I have the same egine in an 04. Before I did anything else I would go and get a bottle of the lucus power stearing treatment /stop leak/conditioner/lubricator....cost about 10 bucks abd dump the entire bottle in. Drive it and see how things seem in 2 days Suck out as much of the fluid you can so there will be room for the entire bottle. .....

 

[Bart Sr.]

Re: 2003 Taurus 3.0 ltr V6

Re: 2003 Taurus 3.0 ltr V6

I spoke with the local reliable mechanic that I trust and we put in the treatment and will know more in a few days.Sounds better already.

Thanks all.

 

[Bart Sr.]

Re: 2003 Taurus 3.0 ltr V6----FIXED

Well the treatment did whatever it was supposed to do.The power steering is now smooth and quiet.

Thanx for the help.

 

[dolluper]

Re: 2003 Taurus 3.0 ltr V6----FIXED

Well the expensive brake fuild worked glad it worked out 4 now