Redneck Truck

1. Both of the small 1/4" plain rubber lines going to the cooler are pretty cracked.

2. Air could be getting in through those cracks during times of high suction and limited flow (high RPM, clogged screen).

3. The wrong fluid was in the system, so I removed as much of that as I could and replaced it with the right fluid.

4. While I was in there, I cleaned lots of gunk out of the stainless pickup screen that was probably causing limited flow and therefore vacuum.

The pump was making some good noise even when it wasn't "acting up", so let's see if this $30 in fluid prolongs the life of the system or stops the noise completely, or if the whole thing crashes and bleeds out tomorrow when I drive it to work. Wish me luck!

jhuffman

changing the fluid was a good idea so plus one there. If the hoses are cracked that is probably your culprit. The power steering system is a very high pressure/vacuum system. Thats why the fluid is mineral fluid based, it is much thicker and flows better under the conditions.

Redneck Truck

High pressure?? Nahh. :-)

At what points is the vacuum the highest? I'm hoping the cooker lines fix it.