jttaylor155

Well my poor Max is at the dealership getting a new power steering pump. It has been making a squeaking sound for about a week now. I thought it was the water pump because I was also losing coolant and SES light came on saying I had high engine temp. Then Fri i got in the car and tried to pull out of my parking spot. The steering wheel would not turn!! It was making a terribe grinding sound and the power steering obviously was not working. So i took it to the dealership (my Max has been in there 3 times in the past 3 weeks for belts, new tranny, then this) So I have gotten to know one of the guys that works there and he lets me go into the service area. He came right out and talked to me about my problems. He drove it right in and looked at it.
This is what we found out - the coolant issue was a bad seal on the radiator plug. He replaced it and that problem was fixed. He said the water pump was fine. They are internal and "never go bad".
The power steering pump seal was shot because when my belts shreaded, a piece got stuck behind the PS pump pulley and all my fluid has drained out. The squeaking I had been hearing was from the fluid that had leaked on to the belts.
They are replacing the pump under warranty (thank god!!).
So for everyone that didnt know already -
Water pump is internal and is chain driven not belt and "does not go out as often as the older ones"
Power steering pump is covered by warranty.
I miss my car!!!

jttaylor155

The dealership just called me. I have to correct something I said before because they made a mistake.
THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS NOT COVERED UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY!!!!
IT IS GOING TO COST ME $585 PLUS TAX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
***!!!!!