Okay since I like this site so much, here is my second DIY (technically semi/quasi DIY). I had done my Pass side and front engine mts and inadvertently got air into my PS system and it was whirling and grinding especially when I turned the wheel. I also had bubbles in my PS reservoir and it was overflowing initially. Now I am not going to reinvent the wheel but I will link a couple of youtube videos that helped me as well. I think my leak was right by the inlet to the power steering pump so I decided to replace the o-ring there and flush the PS system.
For the o-ring I followed this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR5QN3A3rJ4
He did it for the 2003 accord but for my 2000 v6 it was virtually the same. The 0-ring was the same exact part# and the 10mm nut was in the same spot. In this photo, you can see the 10mm nut (green circle). It was a PITA to get out. Wasn't tight just very little clearance. I had to detach the inlet hose there first. I used a regular 10mm box wrench end.
Once you get that off, just do like the video and ur good.
Now to flush my system, I followed this video's guidelines but I did a couple of things differently:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWm5bTwl38w
In my 2000 v6 coupe, the smaller hose shown here is where the fluid comes into the reservoir and the larger hose takes the fluid into the pump:
I used a turkey baster and removed as much fluid as I can. Then I took the reservoir out of the clip and carefully tipped it and detached the smaller hose first. I then attached a 3/8 hose like in the video. I drained as much fluid as I can from the reservoir before taking it out and then detached the larger hose and checked the screen in my reservoir and it really wasn't clogged. I did not wash it in water because i didn't want any chance of water getting in and besides, it wasn't that dirty.
Once I wiped up everything, I attached the inlet hose to the steering pump, then attached the other end to the reservoir. I used a small bit of paper towel, or cloth to plug the smaller outlet of the reservoir. Then I poured to the very top fresh PS fluid into the reservoir. Now I was told the system uses about 3-4 of those genuine honda PS bottles. I had 5 just in case and ended up using 4. Just like the video says, make sure you have them opened and ready to go b/c when the pump starts, it really sucks down the fluid FAST. Unlike the video where he almost ran it to empty before refilling, I actually filled it like mentioned earlier. I had someone hold the 3/8 hose and direct it into a separate container and I had another helper start the car and so new fluid was being pumped into the system while the old stuff came out. Be ready because the fluid REALLY moves fast. I also used a funnel. Once clear fluid came out, we shut the car off and attached the hoses and bled the system by leaving the cap open and running the engine and turning left and right slowly.
I couldn't believe it but the noise and bubbling went away and it sounds SMOOTH now. Got brand new fresh PS fluid in the entire system and it was quite easy.
BTW when I was at honda getting the o ring, it was interesting to note that the parts guy told me they stock quite a bit of those but NOT any of the o ring that is in the pressure side outlet of the pump. I guess this leak is quite common? I also wanted to change my PS hose, the inlet one to the pump but the two closest dealers to me didn't even carry it so I was like, okay back in you go...
Car runs GREAT right now. If it makes it to 200k, I will get another tbelt change but I will let someone else do it because the bolts would probably be all SEIZED big time by that time. Or maybe they're gonna be so rusted they will just fall off haha.
For the o-ring I followed this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR5QN3A3rJ4
He did it for the 2003 accord but for my 2000 v6 it was virtually the same. The 0-ring was the same exact part# and the 10mm nut was in the same spot. In this photo, you can see the 10mm nut (green circle). It was a PITA to get out. Wasn't tight just very little clearance. I had to detach the inlet hose there first. I used a regular 10mm box wrench end.
Once you get that off, just do like the video and ur good.
Now to flush my system, I followed this video's guidelines but I did a couple of things differently:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWm5bTwl38w
In my 2000 v6 coupe, the smaller hose shown here is where the fluid comes into the reservoir and the larger hose takes the fluid into the pump:
I used a turkey baster and removed as much fluid as I can. Then I took the reservoir out of the clip and carefully tipped it and detached the smaller hose first. I then attached a 3/8 hose like in the video. I drained as much fluid as I can from the reservoir before taking it out and then detached the larger hose and checked the screen in my reservoir and it really wasn't clogged. I did not wash it in water because i didn't want any chance of water getting in and besides, it wasn't that dirty.
Once I wiped up everything, I attached the inlet hose to the steering pump, then attached the other end to the reservoir. I used a small bit of paper towel, or cloth to plug the smaller outlet of the reservoir. Then I poured to the very top fresh PS fluid into the reservoir. Now I was told the system uses about 3-4 of those genuine honda PS bottles. I had 5 just in case and ended up using 4. Just like the video says, make sure you have them opened and ready to go b/c when the pump starts, it really sucks down the fluid FAST. Unlike the video where he almost ran it to empty before refilling, I actually filled it like mentioned earlier. I had someone hold the 3/8 hose and direct it into a separate container and I had another helper start the car and so new fluid was being pumped into the system while the old stuff came out. Be ready because the fluid REALLY moves fast. I also used a funnel. Once clear fluid came out, we shut the car off and attached the hoses and bled the system by leaving the cap open and running the engine and turning left and right slowly.
I couldn't believe it but the noise and bubbling went away and it sounds SMOOTH now. Got brand new fresh PS fluid in the entire system and it was quite easy.
BTW when I was at honda getting the o ring, it was interesting to note that the parts guy told me they stock quite a bit of those but NOT any of the o ring that is in the pressure side outlet of the pump. I guess this leak is quite common? I also wanted to change my PS hose, the inlet one to the pump but the two closest dealers to me didn't even carry it so I was like, okay back in you go...
Car runs GREAT right now. If it makes it to 200k, I will get another tbelt change but I will let someone else do it because the bolts would probably be all SEIZED big time by that time. Or maybe they're gonna be so rusted they will just fall off haha.
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