Fill it when engine us hot or cold? Having steering issues recently checked fluid while cold it was a little low. Drive to napa to get chf 11s and when I opened the cap to fill it was at correct level..so when do I fill it?

 

every car i have owned, the manual said to check the power steering fluid hot and with the engine running

i have a cms all4 with the electric power steering so cannot say for sure that is how to check the power steering fluid on a mini cooper

have you looked in the owner's manual?

scott

 

Hey Scott,

I took a frantic glance through it..read all the other information about fluids (washer, oil, etc.. ) but did not see anything on the power steering fluid.

 

The manual does not even tell you where the pump is. You have to use hydrolic fluid. It should be an electric power stearing pump. So I don't think it should matter if it is running or not.

 

I have the recommended fluid but I am wondering if I fill it when the engine is cold and off (non pressurized system) or wait until the engine has warmed up and the system is pressurized...I would think it expands as it heats up. I don't want to overfill and create issues with the o ring and seals etc...

Thoughts.

 

No psi on the resiviour side....the cap is actually vented with a tiny hole....overfilling will make a mess....generally if you can see ps fluid in the tank, the volume of fluid is not going to be your issue....
If it got very low, just ruen the steering wheel lock to lock a couple of times, then check the level...this will bleed it if you had any air from running low. Then find the leak.
Pumpms that turn on and off or stay on are usually bad from the electronics in thenm taking a crap.....THEY ARE NOT REPLACED ON REBUILT PUMPS...ONLY THE PUMP IS, and the brushes on the motor....hoses can leak...easily repared....but the rack can leak...that calls for a rebilt unit/new.

 

Thanks zippy...too bad you aren't nearby..I ordered a new pump from way motor works today. I'll be doing the install at my friends place in Boston...Friday 19th or Saturday the 20th...feel like popping in for some grilled lobsta?