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Hey fellas, I am getting a groan from my power steering pump, it just started this weekend. and getting like intermittent power steering when changing directions.
I checked my Fluid last night, and it was below the dip stick attached to the cap, but there was still fluid in there. I checked as soon as I turned my car off.
would this low fluid be a cause of the groaning?
my fluid was also not a clear red like I would expect it to be. it was more a murky brown
Yes, a leak from the PS pump or lines would cause the low fluid and then when it get so low it will groan when turned. Not enough fluid. Its CHF 11 s and should be a little brown when dirty when new its green.
Check the lines, but first fill it up ( top its off to that second line ).
Low fluid could be a cause, but I've worked on cars that had power assist with nearly no fluid in the reservoir. You could be in the stages of pump failure, or need a PS rack.
But yes, fluid would be the cheapest possible fix to the problem. If not, we have PS pumps on hand if MINI won't warranty yours as well as a hook up on PS racks.
Low fluid can most certainly cause your p/s to make noise. The MINI Cooper S uses a different type of power steering setup than most cars. Rather than having the power steering pump driven by the engine belts, the pump is driven by an electric motor. While this frees up some power from not being driven off the engine belts, it also has a disadvantage. As the pump runs, it gets hotter and hotter. It is also located directly below the exhaust manifold, which adds to the heat problems. The power steering pump on the MINI is one of those items that seems to have a bad reputation. Fill up the fluid to the recommended level with the correct MINI spec fluid CHF 11S Synthetic Oil HERE for reference. If you still have issues after, you may have a p/s pump issue. Check the condition of your p/s fan too while you're at it to make sure it's in working order. The fan then draws cooler air up and over the pump, keeping it cool, and preventing the power steering pump from locking up under high heat. In some cases, the fan can lock up, preventing the cooling of the power steering pump, which in turn causes the pump to overheat and fail. In some instances, the plastic protective grille on the outside of the fan can be knocked off. In this case, even something as simple as a plastic bag on the road can get sucked up into the fan. If this happens, it can bend the shaft and render the fan inoperative.
well isn't there a recall coming out on the power steering pump as well? I received a notification
Just the pump and Fan, I got it also on the R52, no timeframe yet . Mentioned in the link I posted above. Its was a extension, then a recall. But only up to a certain year/ make. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...50k-miles.html
Just the pump and Fan, I got it also on the R52, no timeframe yet . Mentioned in the link I posted above. Its was a extension, then a recall. But only up to a certain year/ make. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...50k-miles.html
My 02 R53 just got a notice for the power steering a recall.
Not leaking like crazy on the ground is it. If not sounds like its the pump itself. Contact your local dealership and see if they can replace it already, I know some were doing it already if the vehicle was down and p/s was failing under the first extension warranty.
im not aware of any leaks, and I didn't even add all that much, probably a 1/4 cup to get it where it should be on the stick of the cap. I can check later on again
If you already have air in the lines, you need to start eh engine and turn the wheel form lock to lock a couple of times to bleed the air out- Best done on a lift, but driving slowly in a parking lot would do it as well. If the noise continues, have the dealer replace it.
If you already have air in the lines, you need to start eh engine and turn the wheel form lock to lock a couple of times to bleed the air out- Best done on a lift, but driving slowly in a parking lot would do it as well. If the noise continues, have the dealer replace it.
well it was never empty there was always fluid in the reservoir. wouldn't be a bad idea tho
It doesn't need to be empty to get air in the lines, the pump will tend to swirl the fluid, and when it gets low, it pulls in air, thus the groaning effect-
