[HoustonCarNut]

Hmmmm. Yesterday and today I have a weird loud humming/gargle noise each time I move the steering wheel after starting the car in the morning or after sitting for a few hours. Only lasts a few minutes and goes away in a couple of miles when the car is heated up. Noise comes comes from the back engine compartment and seemingly gets louder the more I turn the wheel or the slower I am going. But like I said, within a few minutes it goes away.

I imagine it has something to do with the power steering system but not sure what. Any ideas? BTW, power steering fluid was changed at dealer only about 400 miles (4 weeks) ago but only now have the noise.

I'd appreciate any thoughts you may have. By knowing what are the possible things that may be wrong, I can figure out if it is ok to drive it until I can get it into shop or whether I should keep it in the garage.

THANKS!

[Boxer]

Does not sound good. I would get it looked at before driving any further.

[HoustonCarNut]

Thank you. Any idea what it might be?

[cribbj]

Have you checked the power steering reservoir to make sure it's topped up and near to being at the max level?

Many cars' P/S systems will start moaning if you don't run the fluid levels at or near the top. Fortunately, the P/S system is one which doesn't complain or incur any damage if it's overfilled (contrary to transmissions and dry sump oil systems).

Secondly, there's usually a screen in the bottom of the P/S reservoir to catch any foreign objects before they go into the pump, and if that screen becomes clogged, the pump can cavitate. This can happen regardless if the reservoir level is high or low. I don't know if the 360's reservoir has this, but it's worth checking, and it's probably a lot cheaper than a new P/S pump

[Boxer]

Any liquid on the garage floor?

[duckymex]

do not drive it !!!
take it to the dealer, an esay fix that could cost a couple thousands. may become
a really expensive job....

[Gcalo]

When is the last time the P/S fluid was drained and replaced?

You may be dealing w/low fluid as well as aged fluid.

Get it drained and changed.

[Magnum6464]

The problem is you went to the dealer....check your fluids and good luck with a dealer come back.


~

Mario

[HoustonCarNut]

Thanks. The PS fluid, hose and belt was just changed a month ago (500 miles) at a dealer. I am worried it is the pump or something but will check the reseviour. Do I really need to run it like 10 miles before checking as the workshop manual says or can I just have a look when it is cold?

Thanks!

[Gcalo]

Most Ferrari fluids should be checked when warm, and the resevoir for the 360 is behind the engine. Ouch!

So try checking when cold.

Can you better describe what is occurring? It could be the system was not bled fully, and that you have air trapped in it still..

[HoustonCarNut]

Thank you.

When the car is cold, I start it and move the steering wheel, I get a loud howl. Either direction, moving or stopped. The few times I drove it after hearing this, I found that it went away in about 10 mins after a few miles and the car is warmed up.....

[Gcalo]

my best guess is that the system was not fully bled.

It could be a prob with the P/S hydraulic but my guess is air in the system.

[HoustonCarNut]

Thanks to everyone for your guidance. I couldn't see anything obvious so I sucked it up and dropped it off at the dealer this afternoon. I provided paperwork for the PS work done at another Ferrari dealership and hope it is something simple (fingers crossed).

Thanks again to all!

Happy driving.....

[Gcalo]

So then what was the issue with P/S?

[HoustonCarNut]

Thanks to all for your guidance.

Dealer called today and said the P/S fluid was low. When I asked how it got low, they said there is no evidence of leaks. They suspect that the system "burped" after not being purged properly by the other dealer thus the fluid level was low. Good news and a BIG relief!

Thanks again and happy driving!

[Gcalo]

Well thank you very much.

Did I hear that resolution offered previously?

Son of a gun!

[HoustonCarNut]

Yep, you guys were RIGHT!

[HoustonCarNut]

Ahhhh, always something. So the dealer checked the PS system, found no issues except low fluid (probably due to another dealer not properly flushing system). So they topped it off and I was good to go, well for a day or two......

Now the growling noise is back. I checked fluid level tonite while engine cold and there's no PS fluid on dipstick and resevior looks about half full. Not sure if that is normal as manual says need to drive 15km+ then check warm. I guess I will do that this weekend. Does having the resevior look half full, just below dipstick sound right for cold engine? As for fluid, manual says Shell Donax TA. If I can't find this particular type, will any PS fluid suffice?

Thanks!!

[Gcalo]

Looka t the invoice for the work done to see what brand was used and try to emulate.

As a note, stay far away from Shell products if you want good service life from your car.

I can't remember how much fluid should be in resevoir but 1/2 does not sound right.

Are you seeing any signs of liquid leak anywhere?

[HoustonCarNut]

Thank you. I will see what the work order said and emulate. Otherwise I will go with what manual says.

And no leaks found. Ferrari Houston dealer also said no leaks thus could only attribute low fluid level after PS fluid flush to an improper flush and trapped air in system. I hope that's all it is......

Thanks again!