Hello,

New member from the UK here, nice to be here.

Just recently picked up a 2003 Mini Cooper (not an S). Came already equipped with a power steering leak that would completely empty the reservoir in the space of a day. I don't have a warm, dry garage to prop this thing up in so I took the gamble that the source was the two hoses exiting the reservoir and replaced those on Sunday. In doing so, I noticed that the third line (the one that exits the PS pump by a sort of rectangular flanged connection), doesn't seat flush to the pump. The bolt tightens it down quite a bit but the end with the small 'nipple' protruding, with an o-ring round it, doesn't push flush up to the pump. Is this normal?

I wonder if this could be the source of a leak as well. I bled the system after replacing the reservoir hoses and all seemed to be well but when I checked yesterday, the reservoir was empty again. I don't suppose it's possible there was that much air left in the rack/hoses that it would empty the reservoir by gravity - especially as I bled with no less than twenty back and forth turns of the wheel.

Are there other known leak points? I am aware the previous owner was topping up with red PS fluid for a good while but when I removed the return banjo and turned the wheel it was only green coming out the rack.

 

Hi JKB, do you have pic? Hard to say without a visual

 

Just did that job. If it is not flush - it will leak for
sure. Not a fun job. I did it on a 2005 r53 - r50 will be same. The bolt is a 13mm - only accessible with a box wrench - socket can’t get in. The fluid is on one side - steel tube with O ring. Bolt goes in next to it. I got 2 O rings - one as a spare - I needed it. The first one broke. I warmed the second one in hot water. Mine went back fine, but if it does not sit flat, you have issues. I think you need to take both halves out - not fun.

 

This is what I followed

https://www.pelicanparts.com/techart...eplacement.htm

FYI - I did it under a carport - supported on jack stands - 6 hours - not a pleasant job. The system takes just under a liter of CHF 11S

 

yes sir. i meant do you have a pic of the joint that you are asking about. the problem / question area.

 

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=32_1267

Looks like#4 is not seating?

number 3 is that line and little o-ring that goes on that end also tight. You might have a double stack o-ring, one still stuck on the pump.

https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Sit...h/32416781751/

 

...double stacked O-Ring or it is cocked wonky (Not Seated Correctly) may want to get in there with a small hook probe to make sure all the old O-Ring it is cleaned out.

 

If you undo that junction -

#1 ) - pull the O ring off, and put it back with no O rings, and no bolt - does it sit flat?

#2 ) If it sits flat - put the bolt in - again, does it sit flat?

#3 ) look down that hole to see if it is clear - you don’t know what happened before you got the car. You may need to pull the pump.