Would switching these air lines cause power steering fluid to bubble?

DAVENOOB

MEMBER
2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED
6 CYL
AUTOMATIC
110,000 MILES

I had to disconnect these air lines (pics included) to add r-134a to my car. I forgot to mark them. Later in the day I saw power steering fluid bubbling and power steering pump was whining a bit. Could this cause it? If that isn't the problem, is it safe to switch the lines and see what happens? I don't know what the unit is called. I am pointing to in the pics.

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3 Replies

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,577 POSTS

That is the EVAP purge solenoid. Has no effect on power steering. The lines on it should be two different sizes so they only fit one way as well.
Ford power steering issues are somewhat common. I would check the PS fluid and see if it's full, then start the engine and at an idle turn the steering level lock to lock about 4 times, put it back in the middle and shut off the engine. Now check the level again and look at it as well, if it looks foamy then it has air in it. If it stayed full but whines it is likely a filing pump.

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Wednesday, June 5th, 2024 AT 1:36 PM

DAVENOOB

MEMBER
190 POSTS

Okay, so even if the hoses did fit wrong I would have noticed when driving 100+ miles afterwards I imagine. So the filling pump is that the sane as the power steering pump?

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Wednesday, June 5th, 2024 AT 1:44 PM

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,577 POSTS

You wouldn't likely notice anything if the hoses were reversed, that is just an on or off solenoid valve. It opens to allow the engine to pull fuel vapor out of the charcoal canister.
Yes, the power steering pump. Ford has for a long time had issues with noisy pumps.

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Wednesday, June 5th, 2024 AT 5:39 PM