Sorry if this topic has been covered before.

I just bought an 02 MINI Cooper. Is the power steering supposed to make a whinning noise when I turn the wheel?

 

Yep. Normal (within reason). You will even find an explanation in the literature that comes with the Mini. I'll have look up exactly what it says after work.

Just think of it as 'singing' to you.

cheers,

dag

 

Most cars power steering pumps run off the accessory belt robbing the car of HP....the MINI has an electric 12V pump set up taken from Rover Group. What you hear is normal.

Has been some over heating problems with this design and subsequent pump failures primarily from it's cooling fan seizing up and/or blowing fuses. Then the circuit board within the housing fries.....So this design has it's draw backs.... But it does keep the HP where you want it.

Just make sure the PS fan is working. I have or check mine by free spinning it every oil change. To check it, turn on your A/C. 30 Seconds later the PS fan will kick on along with your radiator fan. If you can't hear the little fan running, you may have to take a peek under the car - look about the area where the oil drain plug is......it's black and has about a 4" blade.

Replaced my fan at 70K with the new version, which has an updated design basically consisting of it's own built in plastic stone/dirt guard.

 

Yes --

"Whinney" = good - music to the ears

"Grindy" = bad (if you hear this, get it checked out ASAP)

Silent = worse

 

I just replaced my pump last night.

It is hard to tell if the whine is normal, they do whine, but if you can really hear it, the pump is probably on it's way. When it goes, power assist stops immediately.

Part is around 500 for a reman unit. I've read on hear people getting them rebuilt. The way mine smoked when it failed, I doubt that rebuilding is possible. I can see how these have caught fire on some cars now, it was extremely hot, blew 100amp fuse and the 5amp fuse as well.

Make sure your car tracks straight down the road, if you have to add input to make it stay straight, this will decrease the life of the unit. I have always had my car aligned each HDPE season, due to the economy, I skipped it this year, my car was pulling to the right for several months, pump gave out Sunday night.

They must go thru quite a few of them if the STOCK and 500 part at the dealer.

 

It seems that the early '02 and '03 cars had louder ps units than the '06 cars. I had a loaner '06 once and it's ps was practically silent. Maybe mine and my sister's are just on their way out.

 

K thanks for the help. I'll check the fan here soon.

My car pulls to the left. It's not real bad but it is noticeable. You think an alignment will fix this? I planned on getting the oil changed and other tune-ups/maintenance work done here soon just to be safe. I just bought it yesterday. Maybe have the fluids drained and refilled. Think that would be excessive/unneeded?

It's whinny but I only notice it with my windows down, stereo off, and if I'm not driving/moving slow. No grinding!

Gil-galad - if that is your mini, that is nice. I like it. I really like the face/grill of the 2nd gen minis 06+. The facelift really looks good.

 

If the pull to one side is noticeable, then yes, I would get it aligned. Alignment will not fix the whine, but will prolong the life of the pump. The pump is always under load when the alignment is off. I don't know that changing the fluid is needed, Don't put anything but Pentosin CHF11 in the system.

Get an alignment and enjoy the car!

 

lol I feel so silly...

It only pulls to the left if I completely let go of the steering wheel. I didn't know streets were made at a slight slant to allow rain to drain from the center. If I keep my hands upon the wheel it stays straight without effort...
I'm an idiot.

 

i love the noise ;p i used to scare my cat with it hehe

 

Just got my 05 MCSC yesterday after having local Mini Dealer replace Power Steering Pump (approx $850 - ouch). Problem started with whiny pump coupla months back, then the power steering would cut out intermittently (about once a week). Finally last week I turned the car off and the power steering pump continued to run even with the key out of ignition until it drained my battery. When I recharged the battery the whining continued even after I turned the car off. First took it to a reputable shop that specializes in working on Minis and they could not figure out what was going on so they recommended I take it directly to the Mini dealer where they determined a new pump was required. Since they were under the car anyway I told them to replace the LCA bushings. Total cost approx $2K. Very expensive repair job but, hey, there is no way I wasn't going to fix my Mini.

 

I had a state inspection guy last year that said my power stearing was about to fail because it was whineing. I told hiim it was normal but he wouldn't pass me. Cost me $45 bucks and I just took it to a different inspection center and they passed it no problem. I guess the weeping power steering fluid around the resovoir didn't help my case. If I had known there was an explanation in the owners manual he may have been convinced.

 

check your power steering fluid, might be low, get an oem one and fill it in if necessary