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[Road Hog Mad]

Omega - Funny Noise - Power Steering Heavy
This has progressively got worse, after over revving the car by mistake for approx 5 seconds the steering went heavy. Initially heavy all the time but some what cured to heavy when Idle, upon revving the engine it would be come light again (normal).

After 1,000 miles when you start it up it makes a weird noise, the type of noise like a ball bearing gone.

The belt tensioner and belt look ok, very taught and no play in it.

So I'm thinking when it was revved maybe the power steering motor has burned out slightly or something has gone wrong with the belt and tensioner despite looking ok?!

Specs... Vauxhall Omega, 3.0 MV6 X reg Auto (facelift).

Any ideas of prices?

[Andy B]

.....
So I'm thinking when it was revved maybe the power steering motor has burned out slightly or something has gone wrong with the belt and tensioner despite looking ok?!
 ........ 

Although there's an electrical input to the power steering's amount of assistance, your power steering uses a pump. Sounds to me like  you need another. 

[rob in gib]

I take it you have checked the fluid level ?

and is the fluid still red in colour if it has gone brown it needs replacing

might be worth changing the fluid anyway and put in a conditioner Forte power steering treatment works very well

but could be pump or rack fault

hth

[Road Hog Mad]

seems it could be the belt tensioner maybe causing the power steering to go wonky?

may as well take it in for diagnostics that way if they say it is the pump despite the weird noise they will have to do the weird noise for free :p

[Road Hog Mad]

yes the fluid is fine, only heavy when idle, rev it and fine, this strange noise worry's me now, sounds like a vacuum cleaner, coming from the belt too.

only does that when started from cold or trying to get out of snow, over revving. :S

[LD24v]

Sounds like mine before i changed the pump, heavy steering until reved or driving and whining noise, my new GM pump was £120-ish if remember correctly.

[Road Hog Mad]

the noise is coming from the belt tensioner, so will replace the belt and tensioner first, got both for £54, engineer mate said half hour to fit and will help me fit.

if the steering is still wonky after that will look at the power steering.

[tunnie]

sounds like the pump was on its way out anyway, as it got heavier under idle, but ok at revs.

They do get tired, mines at 131k now and a few odd times when spinning it around, at low revs the steering has gone heavy, only for a second mind, tad more revs and its ok again.

[Road Hog Mad]

136K me.

Erm.... gonna do the belt, if steering still wonky will replace.

Someone said a bastard to do - not sure of any experiences here?!

[Andy B]

136K me.

Erm.... gonna do the belt, if steering still wonky will replace.

Someone said a bastard to do - not sure of any experiences here?!

Quite easy really, although access is a little limited.     

[Road Hog Mad]

is there a guide for the power steering? got a haynes manual but was told there was a guide on here.