I've read about the usual power steering pump problems for the R53, but I'm not sure what is up with mine. Help a brother out, will ya fellas?

I've had my '02 MCS for about 8 months now, and just over 101K miles on it... about 3K of them mine. A few times... and by that, I mean 3-4 times... my power steering has went out, and I had to use actual muscles to steer with. But then I check the fluid level, it's good, and later on I crank the car up and it's working just fine. The only common thing I've noticed about when it goes out is that I've driven about an hour on the highway with very little need to steer, then driven about 5 mins through city streets before it fails. When I go back later, it's working fine.

It doesn't happen every time, and I can't make the problem repeat... it just up and decides to stop working sometimes. I can drive it hard through the twisties for hours and have no problems. It's failed in warm weather and in cold. It's obviously not the fuse, it's not low on fluid, and the pump hasn't failed completely. Any ideas as to what is going on? The first time it stopped working, I was actually pleased because I figured it would get replaced under warranty. As far as I can tell, the pump has never been replaced under warranty, but I'm hesitant to take it in to the dealership if the problem can't be duplicated. Any ideas?

 

any lights come on the dash when it happens?

 

I have very similar symptoms - '02 Cooper S. 110,000 miles.
I also have a fairly steady whine from the pump. Fluid etc etc is all OK. The cooling fan was seized when I bought the car, but I was easily able to free it off.

Any ideas, please?

Mike

 

Nope, nada.... just suddenly can't steer.

 

The pump is going! Mine did that before it stopped working completely.

 

This ^. With 101k on the clock, just go ahead and replace the pump..

 

One time it will fail to start again.

The good news is that Mini is covering the pumps for 10 years (sorry, it’s 13 years) or 150,000 miles.

Time to take a trip to your dealer.

Rich

 

Will they replace on my word alone? Do they need to be able to replicate the problem?

 

Yes, but he's well outside the 10 year window....


You need a new pump. also the new style replacement pumps don't whine like the originals, just FYI.

 

They extended the pump warranty to 13 years.

 

Warranty coverage thread is here: Click here.

If you are past that mileage or date cut off you will need a new pump / P/S fan.

MINIdave - yep the new pumps don't whine as much as the older design. You can still hear them but less noise.

Thanks