First there was this hot tar smell

[justjon]

Then I heard this whine like a transmission. I thought it was the Explorer in front of me, but .... it was me. During the next mile (up hill) it got louder and increased with speed.. The car ran great except for this noise. I parked at the Elks a little smoke coming from the engine compartment. I looked saw nothing. After a couple hours I came out to reappraise the situation and no fluids under the car. I drove it home, two miles. ran a little better with less whine (down hill). When I turned into the garage the power steering quit. This morning there was a pint or better of red trans fluid (?) on the ground. Anyone want to diagnose this before it gets towed away? I'll keep you posted.
(44,000 miles 2002, dealer service two weeks ago)

[texasbird]

Re: First there was this hot tar smell

Then I heard this whine like a transmission. I thought it was the Explorer in front of me, but .... it was me. During the next mile (up hill) it got louder and increased with speed.. The car ran great except for this noise. I parked at the Elks a little smoke coming from the engine compartment. I looked saw nothing. After a couple hours I came out to reappraise the situation and no fluids under the car. I drove it home, two miles. ran a little better with less whine (down hill). When I turned into the garage the power steering quit. This morning there was a pint or better of red trans fluid (?) on the ground. Anyone want to diagnose this before it gets towed away? I'll keep you posted.
(44,000 miles 2002, dealer service two weeks ago)

My vote is the Power Steering Pump. P/S Fluid is similar to Trans Fluid. Hot tar smell may have been the v-belt once the pump started to lock up.

James

[94mcd]

Re: First there was this hot tar smell

I think 2K2BIRD{ Paul Thomas} had a power steering problem like you described. It was a sensor or valve on the power steering pump. Check his posts in August/Sept of 2008.

[justjon]

Re: First there was this hot tar smell

I got a flashlight and took a good look, through the many shrouds of secracy that Ford deemed necessary for this engine and to my surprize the serpentine belt was still attached! I over estimated the fluid leak maybe half a pint.. The leak seems to be well forward on the drivers side. Who wants to guess repair costs? I'm taking it to an Indie garage, my guess $477.78.

[Vintage Merlot]

Re: First there was this hot tar smell

I guess double your repair estimate. You would be lucky to have a birthday party for your grand kids and twenty classmates for $477 dollars in today's economy.

[2K2BIRD]

Re: First there was this hot tar smell

Mine was a leaking power steering switch. Not sure what it cost for the labor since it was done under ESP warranty, but I did notice that the part was only about $25. Your symptoms sound very similar to mine.

The dealership recommended that the car not be moved until it was fixed after they diagnosed the problem so I would say take your car in right away and be prepared to leave it.

Good Luck!

[justjon]

Re: First there was this hot tar smell

Oh yee of little faith, $135.07 ...
Turns out it was the power steering switch/valve as 94MCD correctly diagnosed. What a memory of past posts! The part was $45 and the rest was steering fluid and labor, No bargain but fair enough, I was quoted $190 and $225 for rebuilt rack and pinion assemblys plus install about $200 more and $140 for power steering pump, same labor. (Just for future reference.)
Thank you all for the input.

[2K2BIRD]

Re: First there was this hot tar smell

Pat (94MCD) had first had memory of this, since he was being his usual kind self and went with me to the dealership (about 25 miles one way) and brought me back to the hotel. Of course he wouldn't take a dime for his gas (it was running about $4/gallon then) or trouble. That is the kind of great friends we have made at events thanks to our family here at TBN.

What goes around comes around as I was able to do the same for Bill Green when we were in Las Vegas in October and he had a COP failure.

[IMEVEN]

Re: First there was this hot tar smell

Just got my 2002 back today from the Ford dealer. I'm now on my 3rd power steering pressure switch at about $300 a pop. Only 7000 total miles on my car. The switch is Ford junk made in Mexico. Local NAPA can not find a replacement. Looks to be only available from Ford.
By the way, anyone found a aftermarket non-Ford replacement battery yet?

[94mcd]

Re: First there was this hot tar smell

Pat (94MCD) had first had memory of this, since he was being his usual kind self and went with me to the dealership (about 25 miles one way) and brought me back to the hotel. Of course he wouldn't take a dime for his gas (it was running about $4/gallon then) or trouble. That is the kind of great friends we have made at events thanks to our family here at TBN.
What goes around comes around as I was able to do the same for Bill Green when we were in Las Vegas in October and he had a COP failure.

Thanks for the kind words, Paul. You are right. It is the friendships developed at TBN events that make them so much fun. Also because of the dedication of the owners of TBN, we are able to help other members with their problems and in many instances save them unnecessary expenses.

[justjon]

Re: First there was this hot tar smell

pressure switch should be $35-$45 and junk or not you should have a 12,000 mile/12 month guarantee. I'd find another mechanic.

[IMEVEN]

Re: First there was this hot tar smell

My 2002 is past it's 12 month warranty by several years as well as each power steering pressure switch replacement was done more than 12 months earlier, although only driven about 1000 miles per year. Ford dealer would not warranty past the 12 months no matter of the few number of miles driven. Only wish there was a good Bird mechanic in this part of Florida.
Thanks for your reply.

[04birdman]

Re: First there was this hot tar smell

it seems to me the people having the most problems with these cars,are the ones trying to save them for some reason...cars NEED to be driven...they sit too long and they have trouble...those that drive their cars dont seem to have the wierd problems....just my opinion

[justjon]

Re: First there was this hot tar smell

Mine was a fence/garage sitter for the 2 plus years before I bought it. Original owner did 38,000 miles and it got put away "to save it". It aquired 4000 miles during those next three years. Finally when the old guy died the family sold it to a dealer who put it up on auction. I would guess the investment 2002 bird got the heirs maybe 10k. I bought it for $14,000 in November 2008. I agree with the drive it or it breaks philosophy, but the price was pretty good and cosmetically it was near perfect. Besides this annoyance and a clockspring I'm a very happy guy.

[Nicky-The-Squid]

Re: First there was this hot tar smell

My 2002 is past it's 12 month warranty by several years as well as each power steering pressure switch replacement was done more than 12 months earlier, although only driven about 1000 miles per year. Ford dealer would not warranty past the 12 months no matter of the few number of miles driven. Only wish there was a good Bird mechanic in this part of Florida.
Thanks for your reply.

I would think there has to be something else making the pressure switch go bad. If they where that bad there would be a great discussion about them on this site about many failures. IMHO