Would that make a difference? I must've filled the reservoir up back in Feb, and occassionally thereafter. (Yes I know I have a leak somewhere.) The pump has been noisy for almost two weeks, but hasn't gone dead yet. Should I drain and refill and see if that makes a difference for the short term (or syphon and add every couple of days)? Not sure when I'll be able to get around to jacking it up and look for leak.

The fluid is currently black.

 

Drain it when you fix it. Power steering will work (mostly) on almost anything for a while.

If the fluid is black, you've got something dying.