Hey everyone,

Haven't posted much on the boards here, but ran into my first problem today.

[2004 cooper s] left the house today and didnt notice the giant puddle under my car, which I now know is power steering fluid. So driving around the power steering started to whine, and by the time I got back home it was pretty much manual steering. Never had any problems with it leaking prior, but all of a sudden, it just dumped out over night.

I parked in the garage when I got home, and 10 mins later I go out to look into it further, and the garage is completed filled with smoke. I freaked out a little at first, but I can only assume the power steering fluid dripped/is dripping onto the hot exhaust pipes and smoking up.

So im going to let the garage vent out for a while, but any suggestions on where to start? With the overnight dump like that, I would guess that a hose came loose and it all dumped out. Any suggestions on guides to working on it? Will I need to get under the car?

I appreciate the help anyone can offer. Thanks.

edit: Happy fourth everyone! Hope you are all having a better time than I at the moment lol.

 

Sounds like a hose might have failed....or a clamp came off...heck, a seal could have failed in the rack and pinion...
Yes, you will have to get under the car...
Till you look it is speculation...
Just remember, the PS fluid is special stuff...DO NOT USE REGULAR PS FLUID, or the seals will fail...

 

I don't know the pressure on a MINI, but on BMWs it runs 100 to 120 bar (1500 to 1700 psi). The high pressure hose coming out of the pump is the most stressed... Occams Razor says investigate that first.

(Just ordered new hoses for my BMW. Caught it at the dribbling stage).

Reservoirs have also been known to crack. Feel lucky if that's it as it's cheap and easy to reach.

 

Thanks for the advice guys. looks like the alternator is shot, and possibly the electric ps pump. Noticed the battery light on this morning after not driving it the last couple days, and the alternator is showing no signs of life.

new alternator it is, and we'll see what happens next.

 

Here is the thread on the P/S pump if the lines are leaking, if its the P/S pump itself its in the thread also , they extended the warranty:

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





Check the alt electrical line also. Sometimes they get corroded.

 

Wow, thanks for the info. Turns out it was not my alternator, but the power steering pump. Looks like the ps pump seized and burned up the electrical to the alternator and blew a fuse. Fuse replaced and the alternator is charging again. Will get in touch with mini about the warranty. thanks again.

 

You are welcome, looks like a warranty job. I last heard the wiring was replaced with the new pump and the fan which is covered.

 

Well, talked to Mini and it is definitely covered. Unfortunately the nearest official mini shop is about 3 hours away in all directions, so I am going to have another shop do the work locally and get reimbursed from mini afterwards.

Glad you posted this info, its great that it will be covered. Thanks again everyone.