Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Power Steering/Brake Issue

[BSeyler]

Last summer, I installed a new hydra-boost, hoses, and Borgeson power steering pump on my signature pickup. The only component not replaced was the steering box. I followed the directions that came with the pump, including flushing the steering box. Everything has worked well until the weather turned colder. At 40+ degrees, everything works fine. Below that, no power to steering nor brakes until I increase engine speed and everything comes to life. I have pressed the brake pedal to relieve the accumulator before starting and have no power steering nor power brake on start up when below 40 degrees. A little engine speed and I have both. I talked to Borgeson and they were going to research it and get back to me. Nothing from them, yet. Any ideas?

Thanks
Bud

 

[KATOOM]

Try changing the PS fluid to a good quality synthetic fluid. I was initially thinking you have an air lock problem but maybe its a result of poor fluid circulation due to the cooler weather. And maybe that flow issue is causing the air lock. Can you jack up the front of the truck again and try to bleed off any air?

 

[DavidC]

synthetic

Dave

 

[BSeyler]

I've been thinking about changing to synthetic fluid, although the fluid I'm using is the same stuff I've used in it for over 11 years. I usually pull all of the fluid out of the reservoir once each year and replace with new. I've run this pickup in negative 40 with no issues until now. The only reason I changed pumps was because of it being 16 years old and it had started to make some noise at times. I replaced the hydra-boost because the accumulator quit working years ago and I finally decided I needed to fix it.

When I did this, I followed the flush procedure that came with the pump, which matched my service manual - Front end off ground, fluid flushed until perfectly clean (probably collected close to a half gallon from the return on the steering box) and turned wheel stop to stop several times.

The baffling thing here is that it does not make any noise, there is no foam in the reservoir, and everything works great above 40 degrees. Below that is where I have the problem and it's just on start-up after sitting for quite a while. I drove it at around zero degrees for about 2 hours the other day and it worked great, except at start-up. I haven't had a pump apart, but am wondering if there is a check valve or something that is sticking. The guys at Borgeson are stumped. I hate to take it off and send it back if it's just a simple fix, but may need to do that. I probably would have found this sooner if I still had to park outside. I'm pretty lucky to have a heated space to park in at home.