EZ30 Power Steering: bubbles + radiator hose damage

[ztrain727]

Greetings -

 

Been neglecting the H6 PS whine for a bit working on my other vehicles engine swap. Finally changed the o-ring and sealed the suction mating surface with a tiny bit of ultra gray as recommended elsewhere. Seems worse than ever. The suction hose has hardened and cracked and is leaking.

 

In a pinch, can I use generic ATF hose for the suction hose? I'm worried the serpentine belt might blow if I make another long drive (2+ hrs to nearest dealership). Smells like burning rubber after driving.

 

Even worse, I noticed the top radiator hose has somehow rubbed on the PS pump pulley and is almost worn through. How the hell did that happen? I can't see any way they would touch. So glad I caught it before a major overheat.

[idosubaru]

call your dealer and ask them if they already deliver parts to your area/closer.  dealers sometimes have delivery drivers and routes and can deliver to various other places. 

or they may just mail the parts to you. 

there are tons of online dealers ship parts, ebay, amazon if you're in a pinch. 

 

H6 engines routinely have serpentine pulley bearing failures.  The bearings should be considered maintenance items like oil changes.  

1.  replace both pulley bearings every 60k-100k - they fail all the time.  they just tap out with a hammer and socket and back in the same - make sure to tap the races not the face seals.

2.  you can get new bearings on Amazon for $10 each or so, 6203 sealed bearings

3.  DAYCO 89007 is a replacement pulley available at many auto parts stores that will work as well.  it's not "listed" so you can't look it up by vehicle, but it fits and works. 

 

replace power steering lines.  suction side shouldn't matter, it's not under the excessive pressures the supply side is. 

if hoses and orings don't fix your issues you may need another pump.  i'd probably install a used one as new is too $$$$$, aftermarket i don't trust, the don't often fail, and used are so cheap and easy to replace.

www.car-part.com 

 

unsure about the radiator hose.

[ztrain727]

Much appreciated Grossgary - 

 

I didn't know that about H6 pulleys. Everything I've read just says the EZ30 is bomber and doesn't need much done. I'll order some bearings and a new belt. The tensioner seems good since the belt is nice and snug. 

 

I ordered the PS suction hose OEM from an ebay seller. It won't be here before my next travel dates, so fingers crossed the serpentine belt holds out. I'll change the radiator hose ASAP however - parts store got it overnight. Also got to flush the PS ATF fluid. It's brown and bubbling. Pretty nasty. 

[Fairtax4me]

Take the belt off and see if there is any play in the power steering pulley.

[ztrain727]

Will do. Thanks!

[idosubaru]

The tensioner seems good since the belt is nice and snug.

I meant the tensioner *pulley bearing*, not the tensioner itself - just like the idler pulley bearing - same part and replacement process as the idler bearing.

Replace both bearings at the same time - same part, same replacement process, both easy.

 

They are known to fail at random mileages but 60k and pre-100k is not at all rare so I just pick 60k as a rough guideline, it's so easy to do and so common a failure it's worth doing.

Edited April 26, 2017 by grossgary

[ztrain727]

Thanks grossgary! 

 

So I've been out of town, but my girlfriend actually went for it and replaced both bearings and the belt, as well as the suction hose. I guess she's a keeper

 

Anyway, she said the noise went down but there are still bubbles in the reservoir and a whine. Seems to me like air would enter at 1) the suction hose or 2) the o-ring. Is it possible the pump itself could introduce air? I replaced the o-ring, but it was matched, so I'll try ordering the real deal.