I'm sorry, I know that I should have searched this first, but I don't have a lot of time and figured that crowd-sourcing would be my best option. Forgive my forum faux pas.

I have an 02 MCS with about 85k on it. The power steering has started going in and out while driving to and from work. Sometimes it will be fine for the entire 30 minute drive; sometimes it'll go out halfway through; rarely it'll go out for a bit and come back. And driving a Mini without PS is surprisingly difficult.

I have checked the fluid level and it doesn't seem like I'm losing any. I added some just to be safe but I don't see any signs of an obvious leak from the reservoir, although it was a bit dirty around the outside.

My mini is one of the fortunate ones that whines a lot from the PS system. When it goes out, I don't hear the whine at all. Is there a recall on these systems by any chance? Because that'd be cool.

What should I do about this? Is it an easy fix? Should I bring it to the dealership and have them look at it? And how much is this problem about to cost me? I just finished doing lots of maintenance to the car, so aside from this it's pretty rock solid. But it's always something.

Thanks in advance for any info you can give.

 

You need a new PS pump....
May be covered depending upon the cars date of entry into service with a free extrnted warrenty....
Do a search...the letter is posted in numerous threads with the year and mile limitation...
Us and Canada both have different rules too...so location matters....

 

X2 for the pump. Mine did this before it completely stopped working.

 

Thanks for the tip-off, Zippy. I called my local dealership and apparently mine is still covered by the extended warranty. I have an appointment tomorrow to get it looked at and hopefully fixed.

Very glad not to have to spend money and too much time on this.

 

Please report back regarding your experience.

 

Roger.

 

That's what were are all here for...
relate info we know to help each other out!! Glad I could help ya!!
just be sure to pass it on and pay it forward someday!!

 

I got my power steering pump and power steering fan replaced for free today by the dealership, which felt great.

They said that they would recommend replacing my power steering lines as well, which would have cost me almost $1,000, but I declined. That's a big price increase from "free."

For anyone with in/out power steering, call your dealer and give them your VIN. They can tell you if you qualify for the extended warranty on the power steering pump and fan. Well worth doing it now (even if it's just an intermittant problem) before it gets worse but you're out of warranty.

 

Congrats. The reason that I asked you to report back is because I will be in the same situation as you; my pump is intermittently failing, is covered by the extended warranty, and I will be taking it to the dealer soon. But I know that my power steering fluid lines are 'damp' and I can guarantee that the dealer will want to replace them at some outrageous charge, just as you have experienced. The parts cost less than $150 and the incremental labor, done at the same time as a pump replacement, is minimal.

 

Here is the thread on the P/S lines location and how to. Glad you got the pump and fan covered.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...hose-pics.html



&&

Here is the thread for the years for the pump and fan coverage. As well as the parts if not covered.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ng-issues.html




Thanks