[tok]

It's been -40 degrees (wind chill) and colder here for 3 or 4 days. Went to start the Escape and it made a funny (not ha ha funny) rattling noise. Let it warm up a few minutes, then started driving and the steering felt very stiff. Knew it right away by the puddle of fluid on the ground, Power steering is shot. Has anyone replaced the Power steering in an 03 Escape with the V6?? Any tips other than take it to the shop??

Thanks for any help!

 

[Squishy]

Windchill only affects wet objects, so your car won't feel windchill.

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=1736

Looks like an engine mount has to come out, and I am not sure if the pulley can be removed and installed with conventional tools (i.e., standard 2/3 jaw puller and a hammer).

I'm just curious - do you ever replace the power steering fluid? Oh, and do you ever hold the steering wheel against the stops?

 

[CrashNburn]

hey toc, you can go to Canadian tire, and sight out the tool you need for the pump from the loan a tool program. just use your credit card for the deposit. pull off your passenger front tire and the plastic shroud and you can see the pump sitting there just chillin like a broken villain.

 

[Squishy]

Do you know for sure that the pump is shot? Sometimes in very cold weather the fluid gets so thick that it causes a pressure spike and pops one of the hoses off. Mercon V as PSF should handle cold weather better than Mercon.

 

[RobtRoma]

For the last 2 weeks or so, my Escape's been making a buzzing noise from the engine bay when the temps dropped below freezing. It would only last a few second and then go away when I first started it in the morning. Early last week it was really cold one day and the noise lasted about 10 minutes so I took it to a mechanic near my office. Unfortunately, it went away before I could get it there and they were short handed so I made an appointment.

Last Friday I took it to the mechanic and told him the noise was coming from the engine bay around the belts. He said it could be the belts and asked if I wanted them changed. I've always had a different issue with the belts so I told him to change them. It seemed OK initially but Sunday morning I heard the noise again.

Today, in the middle of a funeral procession, the pump "gave up the ghost". Lots of noise initially, then I could feel the power steering kick on and off for the next 5 minutes or so and then it was gone. The noise went way down to a light buzz after about 5 minutes. I didn't see any fluid on the ground initially but after the post-funeral dinner I did see a small puddle.

I had the steering system power flushed at the dealership about a year ago just before they went out of business. The coldest it's been is about 20 degrees and that was the one day where it was noisy for 10 minutes. It's not like it's crazy cold. Most of the time its been in the 40's or 50's.

What surprised me is how difficult the Escape is to steer without power steering. I've driven vehicles with manual steering before and while they were difficult to steer at low speed, once you got going it was fine. The Escape reaaaaaaally doesn't want to turn without the power steering at any speed. Anyway... I'm hoping to get it fixed for good tomorrow. Hopefully this is the last issue for a long while.

 

[tok]

Thank you very much for the info.

I think I will be trying to work on the Esccape tonight (will have to get the boat out of the garage 1st) we are having a heat wave compared to the -40 of the last week:
Feels Like: -8°, Barometer: 30.06 in and rising, Humidity: 52%, Visibility: Unlimited, Wind: CALM

 

[RobtRoma]

Good luck with that. Let us know how it turns out.

 

[tok]

:woohoo:

Got the Escape back today!! It was the Power Steering return hose.
Less the $100.00 for the job including an Oil change.
:woohoo:

The Mechanic said it was his 3rd PS return hose in a week.

 

[RobtRoma]

Great for you!

I wish that's what my mechanic told me. I got "The pump is dead and damaged"... needed to replace everything. Then I got "It's an Escape... what did you expect." Replaced the whole shebang (pump, hoses, and reservoir) at $556. Now my idle is a little inconsistent... It was rock solid before the transplant. :wall: After this experience, I don't think I'm going back to this guy. Too bad because he is the only viable mechanic within walking distance of my office...

 

[CrashNburn]

wow 100 bucks eh thats awesome!!., i would have charged you about 50 for labor even if i put it in my shop. thats a good deal, my buddy has a 91 F350 1 ton, and his gear bow was puking out iol faster then you could put it in, he got a complete rebuild kit on ebay for like 8 bucks lol. the best part about being a mechanic, labor on my fleet is cheap., its just finding the time to do it lol.

 

[RobtRoma]

The best part about being a mechanic, labor on my fleet is cheap.

And you probably have most of the proper tools to do a job right... and it doesn't hurt to have a lift :yes:

 

[CrashNburn]

ya, being a mechanic for the army does have a few advantages, one being we usually have the right tool for the job. the lift we have is ok, but there are better ones. the one we have is a drive on ramp hoist. with 2 moving air operated lifts, it great for tires and brakes and such, but for some stuff its just pain in the way.