Although I love the whine of a good supercharger(dont have the chance to hear often) My power steering has always whined. The guy I bought it from said thats what its supposed to sound like. Now 5 months later, Im not shure, someone more automotively-inclined help!!!

 

Our's whines when ever we touch the steering wheel. I think it's normal.

 

Totally normal. You will hear it most when moving around in a parking lot.

 

if it sounds like a remote control car then it's normal.

 

It is normal to a degree. I can't remember what it's called, but shortly after I bought my MCS I received a booklet from MINI that highlighted some things about my new car that I may have noticed. One item it mentioned was the sound of the power steering at slow speeds.

 

"The 10 mini idiosyncrosies"

 

The power steering is an electro-hydraulic pump, not belt driven as in most cars. The amount it assists the steering decreases as speed increases. So when you are standing still, or moving slow, it is working at it hardest, hence the whine.

Mark

 

If you're worried about it, I suggest taking it to a service facility. An experienced tech can tell you in seconds whether or not it sounds too loud. Mine is audible at low speeds all the time, but I don't hear it much over 20 MPH.

 

Maybe you need a CAI to cover the noise

 

This is actually one of the quirky but kinda cool things about the car. No other car sounds like that. When I was at Minis on Top this year I could tell whenever a MINI pulled into the hotel parking lot without looking up because of that characteristic whine. When you were in a lot with 200+ and everyone of them had that power steering pump it was like a symphony! (OK, maybe not like a symphony. More like a bunch of kids with kazoos. But you get the idea)

 

the whine is normal. this is one of the reasons why our car's so quick. The electric steering motor doesnt rob the engine and pullies of any extra horses

 

You all have fun! I have to work on Saturday

 

your whine is normal. when U don't hear the whine, then U have problems. Also, check your steering fluid say once a week. 02-06 MINIs have leakage issues within their power steering rack assemblies. If it's low, then U need to top it off with special hydraulic fluid (about $30/litre) NOT standard PS fluid. I love how the manual does not tell you this.

 

Leakage issues???????????? News to me, I do know of a few 02/03 Coopers that the rack leaked (DaMini for one) but that's all. Ours have been fine

The pump noise is normal to an extent. My 02 pump went at 97,000 miles and was very noisy from day one. The new (reman'd) pump I put in is as quite as a chuch mouse compared to the original. BTW, job is very easy 30 minutes tops - just watch out for the PS bath from the fluid trapped in the line.

The "fluid" is really Hydraulic Oil CHF 11S. I purchased Pentosin brand from our local foriegn auto place for $22 a liter, only required about a half a liter to do the R&R.

I agree with ImagoX - take it in and have it checked. Better to get it noted on your records just in case.

 

Only a half dozen people have said yes its normal?

Thats not enuff

YES, its normal +7

 

Like a poll of people who agree.

 

Yep mines a whiner too. The other day the lady handing me my coffee at the drive through said she loved how my electric car hummed.

 

Well thanks, my friends always joke that Its battery-powered. BUt now im content, thanks.