Ok so I wiped down my power steering reservoir and the cap and the connector to the hose. Then I placed a sock over the cap to catch overflow. I want to see if the hose to the reservoir to rack is leaking or just the overflow.

So I start the car and as soon as I turned the wheel the PS became very loud and whining? I took the sock off.

What's going on here ?

What color was the sock? Maybe it clashed with your mini, so you car was complaining?! Lol

"Loud and whining " is pretty normal, especially on the louder, pre 2005 units....if the level is ok...and no leak...thats all folks!! Units can have a bit of dirt stuck to old gunk around the cap..it is vented......and be sure to top off with ONLY the correct ps fluid...it is not compitible with the regular stuff!!

No like it is 3 times louder than usual. I realize it's noisy normally. But this sounds like its not getting any fluid

Try jacking up the front of the car and then turn the wheels slowly lock to lock a few times with the engine ticking over. You may have got air in the system some how.

What do you mean with the engine ticking over ?

What if I just bled the whole system and refilled it.

I only have wheel ramps ATM

This car is a pile of ****.

Wow, that escalated quickly......

Well it's frustrating. College student. Just trying to eat and live and stuff keeps breaking.

Then you need to turn the wheels lock to lock a few times as suggested above, then check the level again. Sounds like you have air in the system.

Nik

I did that. how do i get rid of air in the system ?

PS are SELF BLEEDING if full....just turn the steering wheel back and forth to the limits, with the running (ticking))...er slang....a few times...make sure level is full ehen you start....and be sure to ONLY top off with the special syenthic petrosin ps fluid...mixing regular stuff will pretty much mess stuff up....mini, most vw dealers, and some napa's sell it.

i took it into the stealer. I need this fixed asap. i need my car.

*edit*

http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/...chResult&pg=-1

found information on power steering pump recall.

Dealer says my car in particular is not covered for a recall on the pump. I am going to show them this information and argue to have it covered regardless. Only 131xxxkm on my car; parts like this should not be failing.

Pump was dying. Dealer is replacing for free user the extended warranty in Canada (12 year 200,000km on the fan and pump)

Nice, congrats!!!!!! You just saved yourself some money!!!!

I think it's interesting that people think parts shouldn't fail on a car with "only" 130K on it......it seems to be especially true if they can't afford the repairs......

I'm glad you got it fixed for free,

Kilometres..

Ditto!!

PS...folks donate their time to you to try to help you out and you call them names....think your the one with an issue. We all get frustrated, but chill out!!

Ouch!! Folks are tring to save you $$ and you lash out?!

Kilometres..

Wow, that escalated quickly....

..130xxxkm is not a huge amount; if it were there would be no recall on the defective part.

I don't have a skewed vision that nothing should break on a car. Parts wear out and fail.

I appreciate all of the help and advice given to me on a daily basis, I really do.

What I don't appreciate is people being smart asses on the Internet, that's all.

My apologies to MINIdave, but why leave a comment like that and expect a high five in return.

I agree that the name calling is not ok but the Sarcasm was uncalled for.

Starts a thread, we offer help and ask questions. He replies with negativity about the car we all love and hate, and insults members ? Can we get an admin over here !!!

Being noisy is not "normal" IMO.

Could be low hydraulic oil level in the system and/or your power steering pump is on it's way out.

The pump in my MINI whined from about 70-88K miles. That sound would get louder and softer as I shifted the wheel left to right.

New OEM pump installed and the power steering is absolutely silent and has been for last 80K miles.

I would recommend a flush and fill of this system every 50K miles. Some leaks where the rubber of hoses are involved, can be fixed by replacing the clamp with the expanble types, but will only be a short term fix. Ultimately new hoses and in some cases, metal crush washers will have to be replaced depending on which of the three lines are leaking.

Since this is a rather important topic I chose to edit your post's content. Please read or refresh the forum guidelines to memory.

Baiting, calling names and talking of banning are all prohibited.

The fact that the OP was able to remedy the fix in that manner was a first step by MINI in making good on a long standing issue with our cars, mine included. From what I know, anyone on Canada who has had their pump replaced by the dealer there is to receive refund on both parts and labor too. They are also grandfathered in.

So far, nothing here in the USA. But would not be surprised if we eventaully saw one....