Your post comes off as troll-ish. I'm sorry you perceived my comment as rude, inappropriate and uncalled for. It was, however, none of those things. And, yes, your car does have mods.

 

Jeesh, Melinda doesn't take sh** from anobody!!.

That being said, I don't think he wasn't trying to offend you lol. Modified R53's are popular in mostly the 18-35 year-old male range..the car is too expensive to maintain at a shop for normal people who aren't huffy businesspeople, so the majority of us that are still driving R53's work on them ourselves. So it's pretty logical to assume that a new account, who has no phone, who is describing a really interestingly worded noise, who has a PROMINI-modded R53, is pulling our tails. A thick skin goes a long way on the internet. If someone's response isn't applicable to the question you're asking, just ignore it! Lol but seeing Melinda street race would be pretty epic, by the sound of it!!!

Anyways, the fact that steering, and only steering, makes the noise appear makes it sounds like a power steering issue. Here are the steps I would take before taking it to a mechanic:

1. Inspect power steering fluid levels.
2. If fluid level checks out, then replace the pump and lines.
3. If fluid level is low, add fluid, then wait a week.
4. Inspect power steering fluid levels again.
5. If fluid levels check out, and the noise is still there, then you should replace the pump and lines.

That being said, there is absolutely nothing bad about living with a noisy power-steering pump. If your steering feels normal, and the fluid isn't leaking out at an alarming rate, then I would drive it until it dies. My pump screams and I just got done driving it spiritedly 4000mi up and down the PCH/West Coast, so...

The part is pretty expensive, and if the only benefit you'll get at all by replacing it is a quieter pump, who cares?

 

+2

 

Not particularly. I'm a 71 y.o. guy with no cell phone and a few choice 'mods'. I cut my teeth on a couple of East coast tracks back in the '60's with English roadsters and a bit of tech savvy but can afford to have my wrenching done now by a fantastic indie so I just enjoy driving the wee laddie like I stole it and not worry about the rest. The point is that the discussion of personal attributes is non-essential to the therapeutic resources available on a forum such as this....making this post equally useless for all practical purposes.

 

No not in the least.

Calling out someones age is not the norm here, MINI owners are usually more respectful.

 

sarom058 and All - 1.) My Mini Cooper S was a very special gift to me from my son. (since he was young I always mentioned my dream car would be a British Racing Green Mini) He bought it as a surprise to me in 2010 at a dealership with only 24,000 miles on her. It was modified when purchased. I have had no problems with her until recently as aforementioned. 2.) I have checked fluid and is full, I checked battery and it is fine. I am unable to access fan unless on a lift. I will follow sorom058 advice. 3.) I am on permanent social security disability with low income - cheaper for me and (sentimentally, since from my son) would rather invest a few grand in her to get her fixed. Hope that clarifies any questions. As a side note, sarom058, when my 18 year son surprised me with the Mini that day - (with run flats on her) we went for a ride - I was driving on a very curvy, hilly, steep, rural road - I began speed shifting, run flats hugging the road and MOVING - My son's response to me was, "Holy s t, Mother F er, Mom, how'd you learn to drive like that!". I was laughing and continued to MOVE her. Son's next response, "Mom, I'm feeling some g forces, slow down"! Yup, I can be pretty epic driving!!

 

Does the power steering pump recall extend to 2006 models?

 

Recall Campaign #15V-660 covers 2002-2005 only.

 

4parsons, I wish my Mini was in recall, however, not applicable for 06's. Was recalled and taken care of for air bag recalls, only. TY, tho, for asking.

 

I'm sorry you perceived my comment as disrespectful, it wasn't.

 

Dear All Kind and Helpful Members here who have given me very helpful replies and comments ...THANK YOU! Foreign Motor Auto, Owner, thoroughly, internally inspected my Mini today. Dx is: Power steering pump shot, (lines are fine) fan permanently seized. You were all 'SPOT ON' - Thank YOU! She will be fixed next week with new parts. YAY!

As a side note - this is my first Mini and yes have looked under the hood to refill fluids needed. I had no idea, since being my first Mini, that she had been "modded" -(didn't even know what that term meant until being here) My son, as well, not familiar with Mini's and didn't know these were 'extras' or "modded". He surprised me with my Mini and that was all we knew (he did check Car Fax and no issues found from previous owner, 2006-2010 with only 24,000 miles on her.) In addition, I have worked on cars domestic) before and rebuilt Harley Sportsters most of my life. I have, with my Mini, replaced glove box and re-set button near e-brake for low tire pressure light on dash. 2 different auto mechanics wanted to charge me between $125 + for part. I said No to both. I went to local salvage yard, found a crunched 2006 Mini and finally located part (near e-brake) I inserted it in 2 minutes and worked perfectly! Salvage yard guys were so blown away that I knew what to do - they didn't charge me a cent! So, I legitimately know how to fix (domestic) cars and Harleys - My Mini, more complicated and less accessible for me to fix under the hood than I realized..SO ALL of this to say once again, Thank YOU, ALL kind and caring Guys, in helping me out - I truly appreciate it! Sincerely, Melinda ..oh btw, have been an original member here since 9/5/2010 then re-established July 2015 (re-joining with new user name/password) -had no need to use until recently and couldn't remember user name, thus used f/b to log on.

 

I'm very happy you were able to find a place to her sorted..

I'm taking mine to a indie shop this weekend to get her checked out. It's been about 2 months since I got her. I've changed the manual transmission fluid, (noticed an oil leak while I was changing the tranny fluid) swapped out the leaky plastic expansion tank. I just want to get a 2nd pair of eyes to see what needs to be taken care of before it starts getting cold.

 

Glad to hear it worked out!

Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.

 

Well put...

Glad the mechanical issues were sorted out too.

 

That would be a, no.

You and mdaz75 just need to get out more. I'm closing in on 55, the age range of several of my best friends is from my age to 77 years old and their R53's are all modified too.....One more than mine is.

Was this meant to be an apology ? If so, you need to practice up....
As a retired LEO I rather enjoyed the "old" days before civil suits...back when various forms of "frontier justice" were the most effective means to attain ones cooperation. So, I've decided instead of handing out an infraction for "disrespect to other members" I'll lock down the thread, AS IS.
And also ask that if you suspect someone is violating "house rules", please use the "Report Link."