Topic: PSC Power Steering Pump Cavitation Issue

[ChadStich]

I Put a PSC TC pump on my truck and I'm having issues with cavitation. I put the front up on jack stands and did the normal bleeding procedure and it worked great. No more wine and the pump was silent. Started driving it and I made it a few miles and it started to wine and cavitate. Took it back home re bleed it, took it for a drive and same thing. Ive done this multiple times and alway the same result. Does anyone have any idea or experience with what the problem could be? I checked all the lines for leaks and I can't find any.

Here are some pictures of the setup.

[Ritchie]

Can you provide a pic of the pump & reservoir together?

I had the same issue and found the fill level mark inside the reservoir was below the low pressure input on the pump.  I raised the reservoir and it cured 90% of the whine.

When I change the fluid, I'll be using Valvoline Pro V series power steering fluid.  Doesn't foam like other products, creating whine.

Good luck.

[ChadStich [OP]]

Here is a couple pictures. The first one shows the height differences in the lines.

[megaphoneman]

Do you have a ram on it?

[ChadStich [OP]]

Do you have a ram on it?

No ram on it just the pump for now.

[megaphoneman]

No ram on it just the pump for now.

thats part of your problem.. they pump so high that they do that..i pulled my ram off and it quickly got super hot and would cavitate.. you need a tad more height for sure but the psc pumps don't like not having a ram i guess..


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[Ritchie]

I noticed the height difference of the fittings on your reservoir.  Both of mine are at the bottom... not sure if that matters.

[ChadStich [OP]]

thats part of your problem.. they pump so high that they do that..i pulled my ram off and it quickly got super hot and would cavitate.. you need a tad more height for sure but the psc pumps don't like not having a ram i guess..


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Mine isn't getting hot at all lucky it just makes a whole bunch of noise. Ill be getting a ram soon though so Maybe that will help.

I noticed the height difference of the fittings on your reservoir.  Both of mine are at the bottom... not sure if that matters.

I see that. I might have to build another reservoir and but them both at the bottom.

[Ritchie]

... come to think of it, if your top outlet on the reservoir is feeding the pump, that could be an issue in that there is a chance of the pump pulling air instead of fluid.  Think of your truck on an angle, fluid will go to one side or the other.

Anyway, just a thought.

[ChadStich [OP]]

... come to think of it, if your top outlet on the reservoir is feeding the pump, that could be an issue in that there is a chance of the pump pulling air instead of fluid.  Think of your truck on an angle, fluid will go to one side or the other.

Anyway, just a thought.

The bottom hose is the feed line the top is the return coming from the cooler. Its just the way the picture is taken. But like you said maybe the fluid level is below the return and causing it to aerate the fluid causing the cavitation. The return is pretty close to the top but I think I can get the fluid level past it without it overflowing. Im going to give it a shot.   

[Ritchie]

My Howe system is pressurized as well, not sure if that changes things up.

I'll get a better photo of the reservoir once the sun is up.

[Ritchie]

Here are a couple pics for you.

[ChadStich [OP]]

Cool thanks. I might just build a new one

[OOPS]

The best fluid you can run.

[ChadStich [OP]]

The best fluid you can run.

thats what I'm running