[atmsel]

I get this hydraulic sound when I start up my car, not matter cold or warm, I can hear it in the car, and it will disappear (suddenly) in about 20 to 30 seconds, does anyone have this problem? (if it is one), what's causing it?
Thanks

 

[DaveH]

Best guess is that it's the power steering. Check the level and condition of the fluid.

 

[atmsel]

How do I check the level? And on the cap it says to add ATF fluid, but I don't know what is currently inside the car, can I just add any brand auto tranny oil in?

 

[DaveH]

There is a dipstick built into the cap. Remove the cap and wipe off the dipstick, then put the dipstick back in all the way and then remove it and see where the level is on the dipstick. I believe the PS takes Mercon III ATF.

 

[atmsel]

The dip stick has got two indicators, one cold and one hot, does that have anything with the engine temp? I checked after driving that the level is just at the bottom line of the hot and at the top line of the cold. Is that ok or not?

 

[Ravan17]

yes thats ok,how old are you? my fuel pump makes a similar sound when i start my car, the erason i could hear it is b/c i had no back seats in when doing my sound system instal

 

[kdirty130]

check the hydraulic blinker fluid level.

 

[atmsel]

check the hydraulic blinker fluid level.

what is it? how do I check?

 

[turbodg]

If you are hearing it coming from inside the car, its your heater core filling with coolant, a lot of toyotas do that...its nothing to worry about...

Dave

 

[SupraTico]

what is it? how do I check?

If you pop your hood and look at the top of the headlight housing between the radiator support and the plastic lens of the light there is a little bubble floating inside a level marker tube on the head lights at the top. If the bubble is in the middle of the lines or passes the little line towards the back of the car it's OK. But if the bubble passes the mark toward the front you need some blinker fluid.

==== tube==== | line | O (bubble) | line | ====tube====

 

[kdirty130]

If you pop your hood and look at the top of the headlight housing between the radiator support and the plastic lens of the light there is a little bubble floating inside a level marker tube on the head lights at the top. If the bubble is in the middle of the lines or passes the little line towards the back of the car it's OK. But if the bubble passes the mark toward the front you need some blinker fluid.

==== tube==== | line | O (bubble) | line | ====tube====

YOU DA MAN!!!! Excellent description. :bowdown: