ok so i've noticed a weird issue with my f-250. the stats are '91 5.0/auto 4x4 with a brand new steering box put in in 2010.

so if i start it and try to take off right away (below freezing temps btw) the power steering doesnt work. sometimes it will turn right but never wants to turn left. if i left it idle and warm up 5-10mins there is no issue. i can plow snow for hours and it works flawlessly.

so i'm wondering what the hell the issue is, i'm thinking maybe somehow contaminated power steering fluid and it freezes up but once the motor warms up alittle it thaws and works fine.

thoughts/ideas?

 

I think you're right, you probably have a little humidity in the system and it's freezing.

 

Cold fluid is no bueno in a hydraulic system.

 

oh trust me i know what cold fluid acts like, i work on snow plows all day long at work so contamination / freezing issues are constant. i just never thought about it as a possibly till now.

big difference between cold fluid(everything functions but alittle slower) and frozen (nothing works) so i may just have the answer right in front of me lol

i never had this issue untill this season, never noticed it till january (about -15 st the time) when i had to move the truck real quick. normally i let it idle forever to warm up/defrost the cab. so just jumping in and trying to turn you can guess i was like wtf.

 

Frozen up fluid is an awesome way to burn a pump up...Fast.

Try some heat tape like you'd use on home water lines, and plug it in like a diesel.

 

i think better thing to do would be change the fluid, tranny fluid or power steering fluid should be just fine all be it alittle thick at any of the temps this truck will ever see(-30f max).

brings up the fact that if that is the case why has the pump not burned up? apparently its been like this for awhile.


thinking back a light bulb just came on... i may know when it could have got water in it. before the first plowable snow event i checked all my fluids and forgot to put the cap back on the power steering reservoir. after plowing that day i noticed what i had done..topped the fluid off and put the cap back on but did not notice any water right around it. damnit! time for a full fluid change

i shall report back my findings lol god i hate it when stupid things catch up with you.