Whiney power steering

[c.scott]

For the last couple days, my power steering makes an awful “whining” noise. It’s really bad for the first 5-10 minutes of driving, but as things warm up it starts to go away, and eventually goes away almost completely. Then it returns each time I start the car cold again.

Are our power steering systems the same as the A6? A few things I’ve read from A6 owners suggest either bad pump, or maybe just needs new fluid, or possibly a bad filter in the fluid tank? Anyone else had something similar, and any recommendations?

[B6JoeS4]

It could be the filter at the bottom of the res but I don’t think that a clogged filter’s condition would improve as things warm up.

The noise is the pump cavitating meaning there is air in the pump. Does the fluid look foamy at all? When the pump starts to fail one of the things that can happen in the O-rings will let air in when they are cold, then as things warm up the o-ring expands and seals it up again so no air and no cavitating.

If the fluid looks foamy then there is air getting in when things are cold. Air could also get in anywhere not just the o-rings in the pump. I would GUESS that if it was leaking at one of the fittings on the cooler/rack you would see fluid seeping out.

[c.scott]

Thanks for the response, I’ll pull the airbox and take a look at the reservoir tomorrow, hopefully it’s easy to get to and that the problem is obvious… I’ll post back with an update. Thanks again

[JimmyBones]

Thanks for the response, I’ll pull the airbox and take a look at the reservoir tomorrow, hopefully it’s easy to get to and that the problem is obvious… I’ll post back with an update. Thanks again

I would bet that you are just low on fluid. Most people don’t check it at every oil change like they should. At least you have an S6 so the power steering is right on top by the driver’s side of the engine compartment. If you had an S8 then it would suck to check the power steering fluid because it is buried below the driver’s side engine air box.

[vtgt]

Thanks for the response, I’ll pull the airbox and take a look at the reservoir tomorrow, hopefully it’s easy to get to and that the problem is obvious… I’ll post back with an update. Thanks again

I would bet that you are just low on fluid. Most people don’t check it at every oil change like they should. At least you have an S6 so the power steering is right on top by the driver’s side of the engine compartment. If you had an S8 then it would suck to check the power steering fluid because it is buried below the driver’s side engine air box.

This. Mine made this noise, and after PS top off i was good.

[c.scott]

Thanks for the response, I’ll pull the airbox and take a look at the reservoir tomorrow, hopefully it’s easy to get to and that the problem is obvious… I’ll post back with an update. Thanks again

I would bet that you are just low on fluid. Most people don’t check it at every oil change like they should. At least you have an S6 so the power steering is right on top by the driver’s side of the engine compartment. If you had an S8 then it would suck to check the power steering fluid because it is buried below the driver’s side engine air box.

Oh, awesome, I thought it was the same as the S8 (under the airbox), so that’s good news… I can probably get this fixed up this morning, thank you as always gentlemen!

[c.scott]

That seemed to do the trick. There’s a filter right inside the reservoir, and the fluid needs to be filled above the filter by about 1/4" or so (there’s a dipstick built into the cap). I added probably 2 or 3 ounces of CHF 202, and the issue seems to be gone now. I’m going to let my car cool down for a few hours and try again to be sure, unfortunately I had to do this with a hot engine because I had to take the kid to school first ;D

[justincredible]

That seemed to do the trick. There’s a filter right inside the reservoir, and the fluid needs to be filled above the filter by about 1/4" or so (there’s a dipstick built into the cap). I added probably 2 or 3 ounces of CHF 202, and the issue seems to be gone now. I’m going to let my car cool down for a few hours and try again to be sure, unfortunately I had to do this with a hot engine because I had to take the kid to school first ;D

Great to see jimmy jump in with the help. Doing it with the hot motor isnt really an issue other then making it really hot. What you want to do is make sure its topped off then get someone to help you and put the steering wheel in full rotation left and them full rotation right. See if the fluid dips down really far if it does top it off a little more but just a little. Check the powersteering fluid hot as it reads on the stick for best results.

[c.scott]

At least you have an S6 so the power steering is right on top by the driver’s side of the engine compartment. If you had an S8 then it would suck to check the power steering fluid because it is buried below the driver’s side engine air box.

That’s definitely not something you hear every day… “good thing you have an S6, so the problem is easy to access” ;D

[vtgt]

At least you have an S6 so the power steering is right on top by the driver’s side of the engine compartment. If you had an S8 then it would suck to check the power steering fluid because it is buried below the driver’s side engine air box.

That’s definitely not something you hear every day… “good thing you have an S6, so the problem is easy to access” ;D

From what jimmy told me prior working on my car and others is that the s6 is easier to work in Many aspects, there is actually more room which is contrary to what most people think in the s6 engine and accessory configuration and things are in more plain sight and accessible vs covered up but by other items. Food for thought

[c.scott]

Topping off the fluid solved it, started the car cold this morning and no more loud steering noises. Thanks everyone, glad this was a $20 problem and not a $1000 problem!

[JimmyBones]

That seemed to do the trick. There’s a filter right inside the reservoir, and the fluid needs to be filled above the filter by about 1/4" or so (there’s a dipstick built into the cap). I added probably 2 or 3 ounces of CHF 202, and the issue seems to be gone now. I’m going to let my car cool down for a few hours and try again to be sure, unfortunately I had to do this with a hot engine because I had to take the kid to school first ;D

Great to see jimmy jump in with the help. Doing it with the hot motor isnt really an issue other then making it really hot. What you want to do is make sure its topped off then get someone to help you and put the steering wheel in full rotation left and them full rotation right. See if the fluid dips down really far if it does top it off a little more but just a little. Check the powersteering fluid hot as it reads on the stick for best results.

Just trying to help out where I can like you man. You expanded on what I said with good advice too.

At least you have an S6 so the power steering is right on top by the driver’s side of the engine compartment. If you had an S8 then it would suck to check the power steering fluid because it is buried below the driver’s side engine air box.

That’s definitely not something you hear every day… “good thing you have an S6, so the problem is easy to access” ;D

From what jimmy told me prior working on my car and others is that the s6 is easier to work in Many aspects, there is actually more room which is contrary to what most people think in the s6 engine and accessory configuration and things are in more plain sight and accessible vs covered up but by other items. Food for thought

It is all a matter of perspective. Engine, drivetrain, and suspension repairs I always found to be easier on a S6 than a S8. However interior/inside the cabin of the car repairs suck big time on a S6 when compared to a S8.

Here are two examples of interior repairs for the same problem but with massively different procedures to go through:

1. A lot of people would spill sodas and drinks on the MMI button panel in the center console between the driver’s and front passenger’s seat. That would cause the buttons for the MMI panel to get sticky. Well we would either try cleaning it or replace the part. To get the MMI button panel out on the S8 you just pull the panel right up and out of place. It is one of the simplest repairs ever. However on the S6, the basically whole center console has to be disassembled to get to the two side 8 mm bolts that hold the button panel trim to the main portion of the underside of the center console. So that means it is a half hour to hour repair on a S8 compared to a five to six hour repair on the S6.
2. Both cars commonly had sunroof guide issues (there was actually a TSB for the guides) where the guides would fail causing the tabs to break off and then the whole sunroof cartridge would have to be replaced. With the S8 I could take out the seats and then slide the cartridge out through the driver’s side rear door. The S6 required one of the two windshields to be removed and since the rear windshield is usually cheaper then the sunroof cartridge went out the back.

Topping off the fluid solved it, started the car cold this morning and no more loud steering noises. Thanks everyone, glad this was a $20 problem and not a $1000 problem!

Good news!

[justincredible]

Topping off the fluid solved it, started the car cold this morning and no more loud steering noises. Thanks everyone, glad this was a $20 problem and not a $1000 problem!

Always great to hear when its an easy fix vs the very hard to get to fix

[vtgt]

That seemed to do the trick. There’s a filter right inside the reservoir, and the fluid needs to be filled above the filter by about 1/4" or so (there’s a dipstick built into the cap). I added probably 2 or 3 ounces of CHF 202, and the issue seems to be gone now. I’m going to let my car cool down for a few hours and try again to be sure, unfortunately I had to do this with a hot engine because I had to take the kid to school first ;D

Great to see jimmy jump in with the help. Doing it with the hot motor isnt really an issue other then making it really hot. What you want to do is make sure its topped off then get someone to help you and put the steering wheel in full rotation left and them full rotation right. See if the fluid dips down really far if it does top it off a little more but just a little. Check the powersteering fluid hot as it reads on the stick for best results.

Just trying to help out where I can like you man. You expanded on what I said with good advice too.

At least you have an S6 so the power steering is right on top by the driver’s side of the engine compartment. If you had an S8 then it would suck to check the power steering fluid because it is buried below the driver’s side engine air box.

That’s definitely not something you hear every day… “good thing you have an S6, so the problem is easy to access” ;D

From what jimmy told me prior working on my car and others is that the s6 is easier to work in Many aspects, there is actually more room which is contrary to what most people think in the s6 engine and accessory configuration and things are in more plain sight and accessible vs covered up but by other items. Food for thought

It is all a matter of perspective. Engine, drivetrain, and suspension repairs I always found to be easier on a S6 than a S8. However interior/inside the cabin of the car repairs suck big time on a S6 when compared to a S8.

Here are two examples of interior repairs for the same problem but with massively different procedures to go through:

1. A lot of people would spill sodas and drinks on the MMI button panel in the center console between the driver’s and front passenger’s seat. That would cause the buttons for the MMI panel to get sticky. Well we would either try cleaning it or replace the part. To get the MMI button panel out on the S8 you just pull the panel right up and out of place. It is one of the simplest repairs ever. However on the S6, the basically whole center console has to be disassembled to get to the two side 8 mm bolts that hold the button panel trim to the main portion of the underside of the center console. So that means it is a half hour to hour repair on a S8 compared to a five to six hour repair on the S6.
2. Both cars commonly had sunroof guide issues (there was actually a TSB for the guides) where the guides would fail causing the tabs to break off and then the whole sunroof cartridge would have to be replaced. With the S8 I could take out the seats and then slide the cartridge out through the driver’s side rear door. The S6 required one of the two windshields to be removed and since the rear windshield is usually cheaper then the sunroof cartridge went out the back.

Topping off the fluid solved it, started the car cold this morning and no more loud steering noises. Thanks everyone, glad this was a $20 problem and not a $1000 problem!

Good news!

Interesting perspective, I’d rather have easier mechanical than interior I guess. I guess I need to experience both cars how about head lights and tail lights?