[Bigguswiggus]

My intrepid is a 2004 with the 2.7 liter V6. I have two problems but I’m not totally sure if they’re connected. First, my car overheated and I later saw that it was from a huge leak in my radiator. The leak was from the plastic on the side of the radiator (the side where the large hose goes in the top) broke from the metal. I’m assuming it broke from the plastic getting old and shrinking over time. To fix this I know I’ll just have to buy another radiator. Second, there’s this whining sound coming from my engine. It’s present at idle and get louder as I rev the engine, turning my wheel doesn’t effect it. It’s not a squealing or a clicking or a knocking but a whine. I’m not sure if it could be the water pump however because I’m thinking maybe it could have caused my radiator to break somehow. I changed the water pump, thermostat, and timing chain tensioner a little under 10,000 miles ago so I’m not sure it’s the pump or the chain tensioner. I’d really like help figuring out the whine from the engine.

 

[Masi]

Just an opinion, It's either the power steering pump, or a very tight alternator belt (serpentine belt). I remember my alternator was whining a lot, it was because I tightened the belt too much, when I loosened it a bit, the whining was gone.

 

[mikeceli]

Can you run the engine with the Serpentine belt off, and see if the noise goes away?

 

[Bigguswiggus]

Can you run the engine with the Serpentine belt off, and see if the noise goes away?

I think I narrowed it down to the power steering pump. Upon closer examination I’m almost positive I heard it coming directly from it and turning the steering wheel causes it to stop

 

[mikeceli]

Have you had the PS System apart, or run low on fluid, recently? It might need to be bleed, of air. With the engine running, and preferable w/ the weight off the front wheels (but not absolutly necessary) turn the steering wheel "lock to lock". That is full left then right. Don not "Bang" up against the stops, just touch them. That is how air is bleed from the PS system.

 

[peva]

If it's not from air in the system, you may just need to replace the fluid with new ATF+4 either from the fluid being worn out or someone having used generic ATF as replacement or makeup fluid.

The simplest way to replace most of the fluid is to remove most of the fluid in the reservoir using a turkey baster, then add fresh ATF+4, then start it up and turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock a couple of times as Mikeceli described, then shut it off and repeat removing fluid from the reservoir, adding more ATF+4, then starting and turning lock-to-lock - repeat that whole remove-and-add cycle 4 or 5 times. That won't replace 100% of the fluid, but will get most of it, which should be enough to quiet it down.

It is very important that only ATF+4 be used in these cars. Other types of (or worn out) ATF will make the p.s. pump noisy.

 

[mikeceli]

I concur with "peva"!

 

[PurpleBullet97]

Can running straight regular power steering fluid cause a leak peva? Chasing one - don't want to add all the liquid gold ATF+4 before finding the leak if possible...

 

[peva]

Can running straight regular power steering fluid cause a leak peva? Chasing one - don't want to add all the liquid gold ATF+4 before finding the leak if possible...

I wouldn't think running other fluid for a short while would cause a leak. Different fluids may (or may not) have different formulations for seal shrink-swell effects, so I wouldn't leave it in any longer than necessary. If you're suggesting that perhaps it's already had the wrong fluid in for a long time (vs. you intentionally adding it now temporarily while you try to find/fix an existing leak to save money), it's hard to say if that could be the cause of leaking. If it's leaking now because of wrong fluid, it might stop leaking over time if ATF+4 is put in, but that's a lot of speculation and unknowns to say anything for sure.