[BigTMan333]

same thing happened on my gen 2 ody after the high pressure hose was changed, they were extremely sensitive to dry starts / cavitation.

you need to follow the procedure to get the air out of the system before starting the van or risk hurting the pump.

I tried maxlife atf in the reservoir which quieted it down for a bit, but what really helped quiet the groaning was lucas power steering fluid.

I suggest you swap your fluid with a couple bottles of that and observe.

Thank you for the input 2011.2017.odyssey. I will certainly consider trying that. Would you also recommend replacing the gasket near the elbow of the power steering pump?

When I replaced the pressure line, suction hose, and reservoir, I was sure to flush the power steering fluid a few times hoping to remove as much dirt as possible. That being said, I did not manually bleed out all the air within the power steering system before starting the car back up. I am unsure if this damaged the gaskets within the pump, but it certainly is possible.

I am considering replacing all the gaskets & o-rings within/around the power steering pump after finding some videos on youtube that make the process seem relatively cheap and easy (~$20 for the gaskets versus ~$150 for a new pump).

 

[laing94]

Hello laing94. I am dealing with a similar issue as you've described with my 2004 Odyssey. The short version of it is that my power steering started whining after a water pump + timing belt replacement, so I replaced the power steering pressure hose, the suction hose, and the reservoir. The whining went away, but only for a few days.

I have not replaced the pump yet as I am not certain that it is necessary, since my power steering was completely fine before the water pump + timing belt job. I am considering replacing the gaskets around the elbow of the power steering pump.

What gasket kit did you use for the job, and has your power steering been working normally since your final post on Jan 5, 2025?

Thank you

Hi there, and I'm sorry to hear about your issue.

First off, the power steering has been just fine since January. The thing I think finally solved it was replacing the elbow seal in the pump (which is weird, since the pump had recently been replaced, so I didn't suspect that was the issue).

I bought a Sunsong kit from RockAuto. Mine was specific to 2011-2013 models, so you may need something different, depending on your pump.

 

[BigTMan333]

Hi there, and I'm sorry to hear about your issue.

First off, the power steering has been just fine since January. The thing I think finally solved it was replacing the elbow seal in the pump (which is weird, since the pump had recently been replaced, so I didn't suspect that was the issue).

I bought a Sunsong kit from RockAuto. Mine was specific to 2011-2013 models, so you may need something different, depending on your pump.

View attachment 189923

Thank you for that information! I am glad to hear your power steering issues have all been resolved

 

[laing94]

Thank you for that information! I am glad to hear your power steering issues have all been resolved

Thank you. Please follow up and let us know how you get on.

 

[WiiMaster]

same thing happened on my gen 2 ody after the high pressure hose was changed, they were extremely sensitive to dry starts / cavitation.

you need to follow the procedure to get the air out of the system before starting the van or risk hurting the pump.

I tried maxlife atf in the reservoir which quieted it down for a bit, but what really helped quiet the groaning was lucas power steering fluid.

I suggest you swap your fluid with a couple bottles of that and observe.

I suspect something similar happened to my Accord when the previous owner had it. Pump is noisier than my Odyssey, particularly in cooler weather, and it seems to provide a little less assist too.

 

[KathyT]

Wow, Thank you all for all of this! Please forgive my lack of knowledge (and long explanation) and if this is explained on another thread, could you please tell me or paste a link to that thread (I was not able to see or recognize a "mega thread" or "Pinned" Power Steering thread). When ya'll reference the power steering fluid "foaming" is that the same thing as appearing to be at a full boil? like bubbling vigorously? I'm now concerned I may have damaged my system. I consistently check my fluids in my trucks which are much older than the 2016 Odyssey touring (and different mfg). Both truck power steering fluids are always exactly between low & high mark with cold engine. So about three months ago I noticed Hal (the Honda) was about 1/2 - 1 inch below the low power steering fluid mark on the reservoir. Since the nearest Honda dealership is almost 3 hours away - I searched forums on Power Steering Fluid & read several comments recommending the Lucus that included Honda. So, I got the Lucus, (had also seen to suction or drain out some of the old Power Steering Fluid so that more of the new would be in there. So I got a Turkey Baster (lol, promise - No, it will never go back into the kitchen!!! ) & Suctioned out as much as I could from the reservoir and added the new Lucus PS fluid to a little near the high mark. Kept watch - and apparently when engine is fully warmed up - not hot on temp gauge (& yes thank you all it does have the tuner) The PS fluid boils vigorously, and when cold it stayed nicely between the low & high mark - I foolishly thought that might be normal. Then quit checking for about 2 months. Had to get a drain fill on X-mission so went 3 hours to dealer who said I need a $4800 rack, because I have a Power Steering leak. He was very nice, but I went today to my local mechanic & he is going to take a look as soon as he has a spare spot - I showed him a pict of my PS fluid which is now about 1/2 inch - 3/4 below the low mark, and my local mechanic told me that's normal at cold - that it should read between low & high after I start the vehicle.

Have I accidentally tried to kill my Power Steering or caused a leak / problem because I over filled it to just below the full spot on the reservoir when I thought it was originally low? Oh mercy - I've got 470,000 miles on my old truck - still has it's original fluids, ( Not the oil or anti freeze do regularly change them). I'm trying to learn about Hondas, but it's so much newer and different. Thank ya'll so very, very much.

These forums are amazing, and I love reading them & learning. Thank you!!

Kathy

 

[KathyT]

Wow, Thank you all for all of this! Please forgive my lack of knowledge (and long explanation) and if this is explained on another thread, could you please tell me or paste a link to that thread (I was not able to see or recognize a "mega thread" or "Pinned" Power Steering thread). When ya'll reference the power steering fluid "foaming" is that the same thing as appearing to be at a full boil? like bubbling vigorously? I'm now concerned I may have damaged my system. I consistently check my fluids in my trucks which are much older than the 2016 Odyssey touring (and different mfg). Both truck power steering fluids are always exactly between low & high mark with cold engine. So about three months ago I noticed Hal (the Honda) was about 1/2 - 1 inch below the low power steering fluid mark on the reservoir. Since the nearest Honda dealership is almost 3 hours away - I searched forums on Power Steering Fluid & read several comments recommending the Lucus that included Honda. So, I got the Lucus, (had also seen to suction or drain out some of the old Power Steering Fluid so that more of the new would be in there. So I got a Turkey Baster (lol, promise - No, it will never go back into the kitchen!!! ) & Suctioned out as much as I could from the reservoir and added the new Lucus PS fluid to a little near the high mark. Kept watch - and apparently when engine is fully warmed up - not hot on temp gauge (& yes thank you all it does have the tuner) The PS fluid boils vigorously, and when cold it stayed nicely between the low & high mark - I foolishly thought that might be normal. Then quit checking for about 2 months. Had to get a drain fill on X-mission so went 3 hours to dealer who said I need a $4800 rack, because I have a Power Steering leak. He was very nice, but I went today to my local mechanic & he is going to take a look as soon as he has a spare spot - I showed him a pict of my PS fluid which is now about 1/2 inch - 3/4 below the low mark, and my local mechanic told me that's normal at cold - that it should read between low & high after I start the vehicle.

Have I accidentally tried to kill my Power Steering or caused a leak / problem because I over filled it to just below the full spot on the reservoir when I thought it was originally low? Oh mercy - I've got 470,000 miles on my old truck - still has it's original fluids, ( Not the oil or anti freeze do regularly change them). I'm trying to learn about Hondas, but it's so much newer and different. Thank ya'll so very, very much.

These forums are amazing, and I love reading them & learning. Thank you!!

Kathy

Gentlemen, yes, I am sorry - as soon as I posted the above - dozens of PS threads popped up beneath. please forgive am about to read!

 

[rmyoder]

Gentlemen, yes, I am sorry - as soon as I posted the above - dozens of PS threads popped up beneath. please forgive am about to read!

You have lots of reading to do, but since you are getting bubbles I may be able to get you to a solution without all the verbiage.

My PS fluid bubbled several years ago and the solution was to replace the o rings at the inlet and outlet of the pump. Lots of info on that procedure here in the forum - just search for "power steering" and limit the search to this forum and you will see lots of threads.

Last year my PS fluid started bubbling again when the fluid was hot. This time the culprit was the suction hose (between the reservoir and pump) that was letting some air in. A new hose solved the issue.

Hopefully yours will be this easy!

 

[KathyT]

You have lots of reading to do, but since you are getting bubbles I may be able to get you to a solution without all the verbiage.

My PS fluid bubbled several years ago and the solution was to replace the o rings at the inlet and outlet of the pump. Lots of info on that procedure here in the forum - just search for "power steering" and limit the search to this forum and you will see lots of threads.

Last year my PS fluid started bubbling again when the fluid was hot. This time the culprit was the suction hose (between the reservoir and pump) that was letting some air in. A new hose solved the issue.

Hopefully yours will be this easy!

Thank you so much!! While it was an easy problem to see & fix, just wasn't what I needed right now. It was kind of pouring out on the rack, and a boot (not sure which) had rotted. So replaced the rack & all well. but, sadly I am going to have to sell it.

I did get an after market or reman rack for a very reasonable price with install, but I'm 3 hours from the closest dealer & now I need a steering angle sensor - I just need to drive my older trucks that I can get serviced locally/anywhere and forget the camping van idea. But the Odyssey a beautiful vehicle. Just sad that I never even got to travel in it. So grateful for this forum that has answered absolutely everything from maintenance to judder to rings & pistons and lol, yes I muzzled it & even have a back up device just in case. Thank ya'll so so much!!! Kathy