New problem, any suggestions please.

[ETK-kAos]

Hello, my car was sitting for about a month. Today I went to go see my fiance about 130 miles from where I live. I started it up, had the normal squeeling alternator belt (reocurring problem since I had the alternator replaced.. Belt after belt does this... then breaks), pulled out of my driveway, belt literaly screaming.

I drive to gas station to get gas, the belt stops squeeling on the way. The powersteering was acting very hesitant on the way there. I get to the gas station, fill it up.. Come out and there is this horrible whine coming from my engine bay on the driver side. I was thinking the bearings in my alternator could have went out from possibly over-tightening a belt or some other thing I might have done. I drove it home to park it and call a friend to come look at it.

Still a few hours till he will get here, and I was wondering on what your opinions might be. Here is the wierd part. I get home, and notice a puddle of fluid that resembles oil under where my car was parked for the month or so. Thing is, it looked fresh. Not a big puddle, maybe it was just leaking this whole time. I changed my oil, I know I didn't over fill it, I have changed my oil many times in the past. I checked my oil, it was right on the full mark. Coolant is a bit lower than before, but still very close to full. My powersteering fluid seemed to be a bit high though.

So what do you all think, alternator bearings, possibly the sounds of crankwalk *if it has sounds that is*? I am open to all help here, as this is my only vehicle currently. I need to find a new job because I am moving very soon and need to accumulate a little cash.

Thank you all in advance, I know you all will be very helpfull. Just like in my past experiences.

Anthony

 

[karbon]

Are you POSITIVE it wasn't power steering fluid? It'd explain a lot.

 

[ETK-kAos]

I was thinking that might be a possibility also, any way to check? I know that anti-freeze tastes sweet, any way to tell between power steering and oil? Can't tell with just the color because it is on a very dirty driveway ..

Thank you
Anthony

 

[ETK-kAos]

Okay, the friend of mine never showed up yesterday... I just fired it up.. Almost sounds like the alternator belt is trying to squeel, but more like it's whining. I'm going to change that real quick and see if that fixes the problem Will post back with results, if anyone has anything else to add to this post. Please do, I am open to all suggestions. Help a fellow DSM'r

Thank you,
Anthony

 

[ETK-kAos]

Okay, it's my powersteering pump making all that noise, it was overfilled... took drained some it.. the filter thing in the pump came out... popped it back in.. It's right at the max line.. It's making alot of noise.. Might have to take it 130 miles tonight.. fiance might be having the baby tonight Let's hope it will make it alright.. Could anything bad happen if the powersteering pump goes out on the trip?

Thanks,
Anthony

 

[karbon]

It gets hard to steer, but I need someone else to chime in on this. Can you lock up your rack? That would be REALLY bad.

 

[ETK-kAos]

Didn't want to risk having the pump lock up my pulley's or anything like that, ended up removing the belt from the pump and just running with no power steering. Reminds me of my old truck .

Thank you everyone,
Anthony