I'm having a problem with my power steering.

Car:
91 EF DX, lowered 2"

Weather:
Snow and Ice everywhere, cold temp (-10 to -15)...


Symptoms:
Somtimes when I go to start my car after its been
sitting in the cold for a while, a soon as it fires up,
the power steering kicks it spinning the steering
wheel super fast ccw. I can't move the car cause
I can barley budge the wheel (well, I can but it
takes quite a bit of force). It's only happend twice
in the last week.The first time, got out poped the
hood looked around, got back in the car and the
steering was fine, the second time, I turend off the
car poped the hood sniffed around for this burning
smell, got back in and the steering was fine.

I dont think I'm low, cause there's no "dry steering"
niose, if you know what I mean..
Does power steering fluid freeze?

Any ideas?

Thanks.

 

Um are you positive you even have power steering because 99% of 88-91 Civics didn't have it.

 

Yeah I have power steering, I actually have a Canadian
SE model, it's a DX motor, so I always describe it as a DX.
Sorry...any Ideas?

 

i have it but it was added in 94 cause the old lady that owned my car b4 couldnt turn the wheel in parking lots after her husband died. i think its from an integra or a 4th gen sedan, i want it gone

 

It could have been from a 1G Integra, I think they were the same since 1G Integras with B-series swaps need 4G Civic manual racks.

 

Well whatever... It's power steering.

I turn on the car and the wheel goes full out counter clock wise
until it can't no more. It's freaky to look at! it spins crazy fast.
It looks like something out of "maximum overdrive" or the "exorsist".

Whats going on? When its locked to the leftmost position, you wouldn't be abled to drive the car. I dont care how string you are, it just wouldnt be possible.

Whats up with that?

so does power stering freeze? What controls your power steering?

 

just go buy a manual rack

 

Who needs power steering? only takes power away from your car when you race same with AC, who needs it! altough it would be nice in summer

 

It doesn't freeze, but it can absorb water, which would freeze. Sounds like the latter is part of your problem, blocking off a return line which forces the power steering pump to push fluid like crazy. I'd start by doing a flush and fill of your power steering fluid.

 

Mine does the same thing in the cold. It just gets really stiff from the cold. As long as the pump still turns and you're not burning up the belt, it's all good.