I have a 2005 Mini Cooper S with 95K miles. In the fall last year I replaced the power steering lines and did not bleed them. The power steering wasn't working, so I searched and found out about the process to get the air out of the system. After I did it the first time, the power steering didn't work, so I thought I had to change the power steering pump. But few weeks later, the power steering started working again so I ruled out the pump. The problem I have is that I drive the car for 30 minutes and then the power steering stops working, then I park it for a couple of days and when I drive it again it is working, but goes off after 30 minutes or so of driving. I have done the bleeding at least two more times, but this does not solved the problem. The power steering oil reservoir is full.

Anybody out there with similar problems and how it was fixed?

 

it's about to fail. replace immediately. When it dies it will eat your battery too, which may in turn kill your alternator. It's not a hard replacement, but you have to use the approved and proper power steering fluid, don't use some knock off one size fits all no matter what the people at the auto parts store say. CHF 11

 

Before you jump and buy a PS Pump. Make sure your battery and alternator are working properly. There is also a cooling FAN for your PS Pump that needs to be checked, if it's not working your pump will heat and not work......That seems more like what your problem is, it works when your car is cool and as it heats up, stops working....Also check to see if your PS Pump has been replaced under a Recall?

 

Make sure the cooling fan for the power steering is working. If it is getting too hot, it will shut down, until it cools again. Also check the connections to the pump, Unplug it spray contact cleaner and reinstall it.Make sure not to overfill the reservoir, overfill can cause issues too! The cap has a fill line on it.

 

Does the fan is always running, or it has a relay that starts and stops it based on the temperature or something else?

 

The pump had a recall check with the mini dealer they replaced the pump on a used cooper that I purchase and it was doing exactly what you are describing

 

Yep, mine went on/off then failed. You can also check and make sure that fan is working ( no rocks and its not stuck) and kicks on with the a/c turned on.

Main link to pump, fan, lines etc....
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-steering.html





Extended warranty info here on pump: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...mp-recall.html