Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Weird whining sound when truck is started at cold temps.

[cwarner]

Got my truck back from the dealer, it had a lift pump replaced.



Well now when the truck is started at temps below freezing it makes a wierd whining sound which goes away when the truck is warmed up. It only makes it at around 1100-1200 rpms. I'm going to finish dinner and see if I can figure out what it is. I dread going back to the dealer !

Why is it that things are never the same after it has been to the dealer? I also noticed something different when I apply the brakes. the brakes work fine just something is slightly different.

And they also lost the shrader valve cap.

These people get paid well why can't they do a better job?!

 

[Sean Flanagan]

That noise is the Hydraulic Pump for the Power Steering and Power Brakes. Mine just started doing the same thing in very cold weather (below zero). I'm contemplating changing the hydraulic fluid before a seal or something gets blown, but the temps are back in the 50's here now... Let me know what your remedy is...

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

A number of owners have swapped over to synthetic fluid in their power steering pumps to eliminate strange noises and poor operation in cold weather...

 

[midwestdually]

yup... power steering pump

 

[cwarner]

It must be how the wind is hitting the truck.

Yesterday the truck was in the lot at work and it wqs 25 , with a heavy crosswind and it did it.

last night at my house (plugged in) it got down to 12-15 and it didn't do it this morning.



I love my truck and the mighty Cummins and planned on keeping this thing until it dies but now it's got 45k and things are starting to happen. First the lift pump now wierd noises, maybe it's time to step up to a new one.

If I could just get over the sticker shock.

 

[TnLRacing]

I had this same noise last week here in New England area, I replaced my power steering fluid with Valvoline Synpower fluid. It took care of the noise. Do a forum search on this subject, and you have plenty of reading

 

[jeepit]

What is the process for changing the fluid. Do you just use a turkey baster to suck the old fluid out or do you disconnect the hose and let it drain out?

 

[TnLRacing]

I used the Turkey baster method, with running in between each change, you will have to do this about 8 times to have a complete fluid change

 

[Texas Diesel]

I did it differently than the turkey baster method. I took the return line to the power steering pump off. It's the one with the low pressure clamp (towards the bottom of the pump) and let the fluid pump out (engine running few seconds). Put the hose back on, fill, run and work brakes and turn steering wheel, drain it again. Been doing this method for years and years. ONE time I had to reprime the pump by mouth. You will have to cut the line off the pump, then split the hose to remove. It seems to weld itself to the pump. This way you get it all out.

 

[rweis]

If you do the turkey baster method (8 times), about how many quarts of Valvoline SynPower PS will you need?



Been thinking of doing mine, just need a ballpark number of quarts.



Thanks,



Bob Weis

 

[stg2500]

TnLRacing,



Since you are right around the corner from me where were you able to find the Valvoline Synpower? I need to replace my fluid as well. I said last winter I would do it over the summer and still haven't done it yet.

 

[TnLRacing]

Pep Boys