Powersteering issue: video inside

[Rustys14]

So I went to drive my car yesterday and noticed a wine coming from my powersteering. I went to check if the fluid was low, only to find that it was shooting fluid out from under the reservoir cap every time I turned the wheel. I thought this was weird since I know that the system was not overfilled so I pulled the car into the garage to take a look. When I took off the cap and pulled the little screen out I noticed that the PS fluid was foamy and bubbling (looks like when the PS swstem has been overheated at the track) only the fluid was still cool so I know the fluid is not boiling. Here is a video of exactly what it looks like:

Click on the picture for the video
http://i1304.photobucket.com/albums/s532/jfox31/th_IMG_0541_zpse68eb4a7.jpg (http://i1304.photobucket.com/albums/s532/jfox31/IMG_0541_zpse68eb4a7.mp4)

Now for my questions:

1. Could the return line for my powersteering be clogged and causing this issue?

2. Could this be caused by air in the system? I did replace the high pressure line a few months ago, but the system has worked perfectly since then.

3. Am I just over thinking this with question 1 & 2 and its simply caused by a bad powersteering pump?

I just figured I would post this up and get some opinions before I order a new pump. I don't really have much experience with the intricacies of a powersteeing system so any help is much appreciated!

[ShadowMan]

As this is a new one for me I will only give what I think the problem mostly like is.
Based off your info with a few assumptions I would say that you have a blockage somewhere between the resevoir and the pump or a bad pump. The fact that you stated fluid was spraying out from under the res cap, one could assume that the pump was working because of the pressure it would take to do that. The fact that the pump was whining would lead me to assume that the pump was being starved of fluid which would make sense that there were bubbles in your resevoir because it was pumping air instead of fluid, because all your fluid leaked out.
Like I said, I've never had this problem before so this is my best guess.

[cotbu]

First drain all the power steering fluid and add atf dexron 3 then report back

[Rustys14]

As this is a new one for me I will only give what I think the problem mostly like is.
Based off your info with a few assumptions I would say that you have a blockage somewhere between the resevoir and the pump or a bad pump. The fact that you stated fluid was spraying out from under the res cap, one could assume that the pump was working because of the pressure it would take to do that. The fact that the pump was whining would lead me to assume that the pump was being starved of fluid which would make sense that there were bubbles in your resevoir because it was pumping air instead of fluid, because all your fluid leaked out.
Like I said, I've never had this problem before so this is my best guess.

Thanks for the reply, I was thinking along the same lines which is why I didn't order a new pump right away. I'm going to check for blockages and report back.

First drain all the power steering fluid and add atf dexron 3 then report back

I'm willing to give this a try but I'm not sure if it will make any difference. I know that Nissan uses powersteering fluid (have confirmed this with friends that work at the dealership) and not ATF like some other imports do. I know that the dextron 3 will work in place of powersteering fluid in these cars since I have heard of people using it but I'm not really sure if I understand the reasoning behind it.

[e1_griego]

Your friends are wrong.

ATF is what you need.

[ShadowMan]

Your friends are wrong.

ATF is what you need.

This is also correct. My PS pump whined, then I got on here and read ATF is what should be used, haven't heard a peep since then.

[WIKID S4TEEN]

Your friends are wrong.

ATF is what you need.

X3.
Does this b4 u fawk up ur pump/seals.

Also, do yourself a favor.
Download the fsm AND read it.

[Rustys14]

X3.
Does this b4 u fawk up ur pump/seals.

Also, do yourself a favor.
Download the fsm AND read it.

Trust me, I have an fsm and I do use it a lot I just never bothered to look at the fluid specifications. I will acknowledge that the fsm does say to use Dexron type fluid (MA 6 in the 89 fsm if your curious). Some research shows that this is a debated topic but I'm glad you guys drove me to look into what the fsm actually specifies. Anyway I'm not trying to have a powersteering fluid vs ATF debate here since its not the cause of my problem which leads me to the actual cause:

After checking for and blockages in the system I started the car and after idling for a while the pump started making a loud rattling noise. Something inside the pump must of broken off and is causing the problem, probably due to me overworking it at the track over and over. I have ordered a new pump and will be installing a cooler as well some motul dexron fluid. Anyway thanks for all the replies and advice on the dexron.