This morning there was a large fluid puddle under the passenger front of my car. The car started normally, but there was a loud moan coming from the large belt on the side of the engine. This noise persists at all times, but is loudest at slow speeds and idle. The car handled fine in the freeway. The steering grinds and moans louder when the wheel is turned. There are no steering or control issues. The fluid was light brown and lightly greasy. I have an appointment scheduled to have it looked at, but I want to be somewhat savvy at the car shop. Any thoughts? Is this catastrophic?
Incidentally, I'm not a complete idiot, I didn't see the fluid on the garage floor until i got home tonight. :)
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You probably lost some power steering fluid. With the loss, especially a partial loss, the system will aerate, and become noisy. There were some issues with power steering line, and pump leaks of this nature on Hyundais. Check the fluid level in the reservoir, and see if it is low. It should be markedly so. You can refill it, but it may just leak out again. It may appear milky, or foamy becauise of the aeration. The system can be damaged because of the aeration condition, and the fluid loss.
