Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Redeye on 03 March 2007, 06:55:57

Title: Whining noise
Post by: Redeye on 03 March 2007, 06:55:57
When I do a sharp turn in my Omega I get a whining noise from the front end which continues for a while after. It's only when I do a sharp turn, does anybody know what this could be? Is it the steering?

 :-/
Title: Re: Whining noise
Post by: DaveL on 03 March 2007, 08:38:40
i would suggest checking the oil level in the power steering first. Could be low or the pump giving up :'(
 8-)
DaveL
Title: Re: Whining noise
Post by: Dave-C on 03 March 2007, 09:12:16
Do you have any leaks underneath?  However slight..

I've got a whine in my Omega, but that's my wife! ;D ;D ;D ;D

DC

Title: Re: Whining noise
Post by: Redeye on 03 March 2007, 09:22:46

Is the reservoir the black cylinder with the screw top on the passenger side of the engine? I've looked in there and I can see fluid but it doesn't touch the plunger in the middle of the cap, would a low level cause the whining?

I don't seem to have any leaks, it's clean underneath the car.

lol, I know all about whining wives!  ;D
Title: Re: Whining noise
Post by: DaveL on 03 March 2007, 09:43:36
It is the black cylinder with the srew top. The plunger in the top is a dip stick. The fluid should be up to a mark on this. Cannot remember if you have the engine running or not when you check this. Best guess is that you check when engine is running.

If not enough fluid in reservoir the nair could be trying to go round the system as well as fluid. Air does not compress well, like if you get air in your braking system, so pump makes a 'singing whining' noise.

Check though for a leak, mine was a jub clip that a garage had replaced but not tightened. Not helpful if you find that the steering goes very heavey all of a sudden. And where do you get ATF in the middle of the night in the Perthshire hills? :-/
 8-)
DaveL
Title: Re: Whining noise
Post by: Redeye on 03 March 2007, 09:47:54
Thanks for that, looks like the level is low then. Can we use any power steering fluid, or is there a special one or any we should avoid?

I'll have a closer look for any leaks too.

Thanks.

 :y
Title: Re: Whining noise
Post by: Redeye on 03 March 2007, 14:50:30

Result: Topped it up and the whining has gone.

Must keep my eye on it incase there's a leak.

 :y

Title: Re: Whining noise
Post by: jonny2112 on 03 March 2007, 14:56:36
Result, nice one  :y Which fluid did you use by the way?
Title: Re: Whining noise
Post by: Redeye on 03 March 2007, 16:14:57

I used Halford's Automatic and Power Steering Fluid DIII.

Title: Re: Whining noise
Post by: ClarCE on 03 March 2007, 19:46:14
Quote
I used Halford's Automatic and Power Steering Fluid DIII.


I've read on here that you should use D3 so reckon you're good with that ;)
Title: Re: Whining noise
Post by: TheBoy on 03 March 2007, 19:54:24
I think PS should be Dexron II. Not sure if the 2 can be mixed either.  Vx keep changing the spec of the PS fluid.
Title: Re: Whining noise
Post by: Redeye on 03 March 2007, 20:00:27

Well I read the chart on the shelf and it said that all Omegas use DIII (or D3 if you like) except for Diesels which use the DII (D2).

 ::)
Title: Re: Whining noise
Post by: TheBoy on 03 March 2007, 20:18:29
Quote
Well I read the chart on the shelf and it said that all Omegas use DIII (or D3 if you like) except for Diesels which use the DII (D2).

 ::)
Good old Halfords  >:(

I don't think there is an issue mixing DII and DIII, hopefully someone can confirm.  As DIII is a higher grade than DII, that should be fine if mixing is allowed...
Title: Re: Whining noise
Post by: Auto Addict on 03 March 2007, 20:28:13
Where's MJ? This could turn into an oil thread........
Title: Re: Whining noise
Post by: Chopsdad on 03 March 2007, 22:49:15
Quote
Where's MJ? This could turn into an oil thread........

Shhh  :-X
Title: Re: Whining noise
Post by: rpont on 04 March 2007, 15:24:42
I'm sure I read a thread that said DIII damaged the power steering system and that DII must be used, DIII is for the auo box and must be used in that.

If you want to flush the power steering I've a sort of 'how to' at http://www.infohitsystems.ltd.uk/Gallery/dirwrap_photo.sh?path=Car pics 28 to 30. You will need 2l of DII.

I found my rubber hoses at the expansion bottle were hard and I replaced the short one but cut half an inch off the long one since that was 60 quid.
Title: Re: Whining noise
Post by: Markjay on 05 March 2007, 17:05:57
Officially the autobox is DIII and the PAS is DII.

DIII exceeds DII, so in principal you should be able to use it for PAS, but I once saw a TIS bulletin saying that DIII was causing leaks when used in the PAS system - something to do with the fluid being incompatible with the rubber used for the seals I think - and that this is why only DII should be used for PAS. The implications are not that the PAS will disintegrate within 2 miles, but that you may develop a leak... so if you topped-up with DIII I suggest you keep an eye on the level. So now we know...