Noisy Power Steering Pump

2002 Kia Optima
2.7 L V6, Automatic Transmission
172,000 miles
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While checking the automatic transmission fluid level this morning, I noticed a noise coming from the passenger side of the engine near the serpentine belt.  I was able to isolate it audibly to be coming from the power steering pump which is the top pulley on the 2002 Kia Optima with V6.

After some visual inspection, I noticed a fluid leaking or present on a hose which connected to the PS pump.  I then checked the fluid reservoir and found it to be very low.  Obviously there is a PS fluid leak on this car.  This left me with two questions;

1. Is the leak coming from the PS pump or the pressure hose which connects to the pump?

2. If I top off the fluid in the PS fluid reservoir, will this make the grinding sound go away.

The first order of business was to top of the PS fluid.  I went to a local AutoZone and got a clear PS fluid (Manual recommends PSF-3 or III, but it is not available).  Shop recommends a clear alternative fluid.

I topped of the reservoir and drove home.  I could still hear the rattling sound coming from the PS pump on the drive home.  I let the car sit at idle and popped the hood to verify.  I decided to move onto other business and to come back to check later.

After the car sat for a couple of hours, I cranked it again to listen for the sound.  It appears to be gone.  While the car was running, I turned the steering wheels all the way left and all the way right a couple of times to get the fluid pumping.  The sound did not return.

I was, however, able to identify a certain source of the leak.  It was coming at the proximal end of the PS pressure hose near the pump itself.  So, likely I will just need to replace the pressure hose.

Armed with this information (visible, dripping leak on high pressure hose and grinding sound is gone after topping off PS fluid reservoir), I am now confident enough to order a power steering high pressure hose for this car.  I am fairly confident that the pump itself remains in good shape.  I will watch this car for a couple of days before committing to this, just to be sure.

Below is a stock photo of the high pressure hose which I will need to replace.

A post above explains in detail the process I used to replace the Pressure Hose (top), Return Hose (bottom) and the Power Steering Pump. 

How to change serpentine belt on a 2002 Kia Optima

2002 Kia Optima
2.7 Liter V6

You may need a belt tensioner tool to release the tension on the belt so that it can be removed.  Or, if you are lucky like me, your tensioner will have a 3/8" square peg near the end which allows you to put a 3/8" ratchet in there to release the tension.  Pushing down towards the floor releases the tension.

WARNING: When you remove the belt from around one of the pulleys, this puts all of the force back onto the tensioner.  You will not notice it at first but as you slowly allow the tensioner to come back up, it will travel farther up than when you started.  There is not much space and it is easy to injure your hand.  So be careful!!

1. Check to see if there is a belt routing diagram sticker under the hood, if not, draw one yourself. IF YOU FORGET THIS STEP, YOU MAY FIND IT DIFFICULT TO REPLACE THE BELT CORRECTLY. The routing can be a major pain in the behind if you forget how the belt goes and nothing to reference it by.

2. A socket with a breaker bar, or sometimes just the breaker bar itself (on a belt tensioner with a square drive to release tension), can be used a lot of times. Sometimes there is no room to get these tools in there and you will have to use a serpentine belt tool to release the tension. It's a free loan-a-tool at Autozone. Probably easier just to get one in the first place, while you are getting the belt. It has a nice long handle for good leverage.

3. Release the tension on the belt and hold the tool with one hand, while taking the belt off with the other hand. The Power Steering pulley is on top and that is the one I remove the belt from. Release the tool you are using to hold the belt tensioner (slowly, it's a strong spring).

4. Put the new belt on using the belt routing diagram. Put it on over every pulley except one. Pull the tensioner loose again and slip the belt over the last pulley and let the tool go. You are pretty much done. Just check to make sure the belt is seated in all the pulleys correctly before starting. I usually "bump" the starter a couple of times before starting it, just to help seat the belt.