2000 century power steering squeel

[tannercanadian]

I bought a 2000 century a couple months ago and it has 105,000km on it. I drove to Oshawa about a week ago and everything was fine on the way there, but as soon as I started the car to leave it started to squeal while running and the squeal gets louder as the rpms go up or when the wheels turn. I checked the reservoir the next day and it didn't register on the dipstick. I filled it with about a half bottle of prestone power steering fluidand it came up to the cold mark on the stick. squeal went away and steering seemed back to normal until it did it againa week later. I checked the reservoir and again it didn't register on the dipstick so I added more prestone and it went awayagain for a few days. it started now for the third time and not sure where to go next. the colour of the fluid was a dark colour so im not sure if its dirty or if there is a small leak in the system, and through my research I cant find any concrete answers on what to try next. any suggestions from you guys would be greatly appreciated. I just don't want to drop a ton of money at a shop for the problem to keep happening. thanks!

 

[HotZ28]

Put a piece of cardboard under the front of the car when parking overnight and that should show where the leak is.

I filled it with about a half bottle of prestone power steering fluidand it came up to the cold mark on the stick.

What size bottle of PS fluid was that, 8-oz 16-oz, or 32-oz? You have a leak somewhere, and if you don't want to take it to a trusted mechanic, it's up to you to find the leak.

 

[tannercanadian]

the bottle was a 946 ml size which I think is a 32 oz container. and yeah the cardboard trick sounds like a good idea I think ill run out and try that tonight. It started to squeal fore the third time tonight and I havnt gotten a chance to check it after work. Ill probly check it and top it up then use the cardboard to see if a spot shows up.

 

[HotZ28]

Look for rusted, or pitted metal P/S lines, quite common in that environment.

 

[tannercanadian]

well I tried the cardboard over night while the car was cold after I topped it up and there was nothing in the morning. so I drove it down to grab a coffee and came hom and left it running for a minute in the driveway and it was leaking then while running. I can see a wet spot on the crossmember below the motor /tranny so now I guess its time to put it on the ramps and see if I can trace it.

 

[HotZ28]

Based on what was said above, it sounds like the pressure hose. Is your car a Custom, or Limited? They show different part numbers for the two.

GATES Part # 371040 16mm Male O-Ring x 18mm Male O-Ring x 71" (Limited)

GATES Part # 371050 16mm Male O-Ring x 18mm Male O-Ring x 72" (Custom)