I have an 1994 Volvo 850 turbo that has been giving me a few problems. First i am getting a crazy whining noise from the power steering area. I have put a brand new power steering pump and it is still is making the same noise. I really not to sure if it is something in the timing.............or can the air pump be bad? I have no clue and several mechanics i took it to they have no clue..........anyone?

Is the ATF fluid in the PS tank adequate?

Check for leaks.
Especially at the high-pressured metal hoses.
(Bloody expensive, if you ask me...)

I have read many posts on air being sucked into the system at the fluid reservoir causing noise. Will go away once the air works it's way out the system. Inadequate hose clamps are another common culprit posted. Follow ampangbear's suggestions and inspect your reservoir, you've replaced everything else. Keep us posted.

Leaks can say a lot. Check for it first.

MKC70 on the air is a +1.

no leaks whats so ever.............i had the shop suck any and all air out of the hoses. I'm on my third pump but this one is brand new and the other two was used. u can hear the noise really bad when the engine is rev'n up........i cant figure it out............driven me crazy.............do u think it could be something in the timing?...............it makes my volvo sound like crap............but it is an excellent running car......................?????????????????

I know you have replaced the pump many times, as according to your posts. But have you checked the steering rack itself? I have seen many times that the rack could also be damaged, leading to the noise.


As for the leaks, i do not mean to check just at the PS Pump. Follow the lines from the pump, all the way to the rack, via below the engine. You may want to lift your car to see this. Look for the red coloured liquid.

I think we are getting lost on what is actually occurring on your vehicle. You have stated that there is a whining noise emanating from the power steering area. The pump has been replaced 3 times without fixing the problem. Did your mechanic find air in the system? The problems with the hoses and the reservoir getting air in the system is as new as the 2004 S60, with the 2005 having a redesigned reservoir. The noise coincides with the engine rpm's and only that? Is it always present or does it continuously go away and reoccur? My c70 gets a loud whirring noise when I do sharp turns. This goes away shortly, I attribute it to air being sucked in at the reservoir. Rack problems are typically described as groaning noises at slow speeds.

Accurately describing your situation will go a long way for someone on the forum to answer your question, Good luck.

The faster i go, the louder the noise is..................so ya when the rpms go up so does the noise............as far as the rack???????????i already had the car up on the lift and no leaks no where, followed the hoses................nothing........weird stuff. Should i just re-flush the system????????? I read something about a relief valve not pumping the fluid back into the tank which causes the noise.........anyone heard of this.................thanks for all the info guys............really helps :-)......

MKC70,

Interesting, i never thought of that relationship with the RPM as you mentioned. Thanks.

HELLO i posted the same issue a ways back! funny mine was doing the same thing, and im going to type that it recently stopped, for my luck would run to it starting again, i asked many techs even the dealer, but my father inlaw pointed out my rear upper cam seal leaking, the fact that the cam gears wasnt even too, i corrected the problems, but the sound only deadend a little, he had a stethescope placed on the area of the rear cam and found the sound to be louder ther. but strangly, its recently gone away, i almost forgot it happen...... :blink: same thing on the rpm, same on the sound, but i guessed the pump was fine, no leaks and turns with a pinky, but ther is some residue around the cap, even after wiping it. strange... <_<