passenger side engine groan near PS pump/alt (1 Viewer)

[valdi2012]

In need of guidance! Wife alerted me today that she noticed a new sound and smell coming from our beloved 2000 cruiser, passenger side, general area of PS pump/alternator. I've been searching IH8 without luck. Sound is a low groan (like bad power steering but constant without turning steering wheel) at idle and seems to disappear at higher RPM's. Power steering fluid was low, so I filled to near max. Smooth operation when turning steering wheel, easy. The smell is like "plastic burning" not electrical metallic burn. Thank you in advance.

 

[SCARd4Life]

In need of guidance! Wife alerted me today that she noticed a new sound and smell coming from our beloved 2000 cruiser, passenger side, general area of PS pump/alternator. I've been searching IH8 without luck. Sound is a low groan (like bad power steering but constant without turning steering wheel) at idle and seems to disappear at higher RPM's. Power steering fluid was low, so I filled to near max. Smooth operation when turning steering wheel, easy. The smell is like "plastic burning" not electrical metallic burn. Thank you in advance.

Alternator would be a prime suspect, but you should check the serpentine belt and smooth operation of all pulleys/tensioner.

 

[valdi2012]

Thank you SCARd4Life. I replace the serpentine 3 years ago, snapped. Ill check the other stuff as I recently replaced pully/tensioner on my 98 Volvo v70 t5.

 

[valdi2012]

Wow! Blonde moment here...28 degrees now, might want to bleed the system.

2015 valdi2012 "Thanks Zane for the nice step-by-step writeup. My 2000 was whining like a ***** at start up (20F cold days) and as I turned the steering wheel. Thought I had a bad pump until I checked the fluid level, low and dirty. Just finished a full douche using 2 Qts. of Dexron VI in an hour and have no whining. Used your hose technique with the exception of purchasing a stop plug for the short hose, just crimped and duct taped one end. Total cost $22.00."​