It shouldn't look like chocolate milk no matter what, so I'd say that's the additive. I don't like additives-- the base fluid works fine, so why add stuff to it? But I digress, I don't think that caused the issue.

You probably have something wrong with the relief valve, which kind of makes sense from here if you were having noise issues. You're going to be getting into the pump now anyway, so check it out. I'll have to check the manuals to see if there's anything in the HB unit to worry about.

 

Since its Choc Milk colored, it could be water in the pump power steering fluid. Take a small sample in a clean jar. Let it sit UN-DISTURBED for while and see if you can see water/oil separation. If so, you need to;
1. Find how the water got in there'
2. Flush, flush, flush it all clean, including the hydroboost
3. FIll with clean PS Fluid
4. FInd the problem with the PS Pump and repair

Water in the fluid may have taken out the vanes in the pump. If so, you can get PS Pump rebuild kits at Auto Zone and otehrs. A Rebuild is very simple.....just follow the directions.

Paul

 

Thanks for the replies so far. I guess I shouldn't have said chocolate milk, because the color wasn't far enough off to concern me, it was just milk-consistancy and full of air bubbles. I will check it for water though. The pump has always been noisy when cold, then fine once it warms up. Im really leaning toward the pump, but I'm not sure. What other applications use this pump if I go to Autozone for a rebuild?
thanks
jordan

 

It's most likely just a standard saginaw ps pump. It might flow a bit more since it's set up for hydroboost. A rebuild kit for a gm truck with hydroboost should get the job done. Those pumps are ridiculously simple to rebuild.

 

Thanks again for the replies guys. I ended up getting a new pump and swapped my reservoir, adapter, gear, etc. The steering and hydroboost work better than before and I have no more bubbles in the system. However, there is a noticeable whine in the system, especially when reving the engine. Could this be caused if the power steering gear isnt in the exact right place on the shaft. When putting it on, I think I pushed the gear on a bit to far (less than 1/16 of an inch to far). Would this cause a whine?

 

So I started my 4bt up this morning (after being plugged in all night) and let it warm up for about 5-10min.

Since its Choc Milk colored, it could be water in the pump power steering fluid. Take a small sample in a clean jar. Let it sit UN-DISTURBED for while and see if you can see water/oil separation. If so, you need to;
1. Find how the water got in there'

Water in the fluid may have taken out the vanes in the pump.

Paul

I am just thinking out loud here BUT

The heat from being plugged in; in conjunction with the cold temp may have been causing condensation (water) to collect in the reservior over time.

Kirk

 

How would that work? He didn't have the steering system plugged in. I don't know how much heat would be transferred to the steering gear from the block.......

 

I live in Houston Texas and don't know anything about pluggingn in a car, (heck I 've never seen a plug on anything besides a golf cart) but I would assume the heater goes in the block and would transfer enough heat to keep the pump above ambient conditions.

 

Im not sure how water would have got into the system (not even sure that it did), but I really dont know how enough water would have gotten in to kill the pump all at once. Anyway Ive always kept the reservoir full but we have some pretty large temperature fluctuations here in IL so you never know.

Any ideas on why the new pump would have a bit of a whine to it? I'm the only one that really notices it (buddy said it didnt sound odd to him) but its enough to bother me.

 

My power steering pump from a 1991 P30 stopped working suddenly after the first 5-10 min of run time. Napa part # 811411. NSP for Napa steering pumps is the line code. costs about $90.00. Mine went from steering with one finger on a spoke of the steering wheel to nothing. The reman pump fixed it right up. Jeremy

 

Just to close up the thread, I did get the problem fixed. I purchased a power steering pump from o'reilly auto, Cardone part #20-860 (application: '87 p30 w/ 6.2L dsl). This is the pump only but most stores have it in stock and it cost about $40 plus core. I switched everything over from the old pump. I made the cork gasket (pump to adapter) and purchased the timing cover to adapter gasket from the case IH dealer (part #144169C2).
Once I got it together I flushed the system with about 3 quarts of oil. Filled it up and drove it. Drained the oil and filled it up with fresh again and added a filter. Hopefully the system is good to go now (and this pump has a lifetime warranty so its the last one Ill ever have to buy for the 4bt).

thanks for the help,
Jordan