I turned on the ole' MINI this morning. And to my surprise, there was no power steering. Tried turning it off and on once or twice, still no power steering.

So...a couple of questions.
1. Is there a place to put in fresh fluids?
1a. Can I put the fluids myself or would the dealer only have access to that area?
2. If it is dead, how much am I looking at to have the dealer replace it?
3. Any other suggestions or things to look at 1st?

2003 MC - 69720miles

 

It's electric and there's a associated fuse in the fuse panel. Check the manual for fuse #...

 

dealer cost to replace it is around $800. i would highly recommend going to the regional forums and searching for and/or asking for a recommended MINI Mechanic in your area. that should knock around $200 off the price. my 2003 just started a slow leak at 37k miles and my MINI mechanic quoted me $580. luckily i JUST got an extended warranty before it happened so that will cover most of it. but, still, $580 is much better than $800.

you CAN replenish fluids yourself easily enough if you have a leak. under the bonnet it will be the second cannister from the left- the black one to the right of the coolant reservoir. however you can't just add any power steering fluid, you'll need Pentosin CHF 11S and it's not exactly cheap so if you have a really bad leak it could add up fast. however if you have a small, slow leak (like i do) it could hold you over for awhile. i haven't found it locally at the chain auto stores but, then again my leak is very tiny so i haven't tried too much either. i figure once it gets low enough i'll use my warranty to fix it. my work schedule right now is a nightmare and my time is short.

anyhow i did find it at minimania so here is a link for reference purposes so if you need some you may call around. i would imagine a BMW shop would have it. if the link does not work just use minimania's search function for PENTOSIN: http://new.minimania.com/web/Item/NM.../InvDetail.cfm

 

The chances are good that the power steering pump is dead, and the problem has nothing to do with fluid. That electric pump only lasts so long...

I cannot remember how much I paid for the dealership to replace mine when it failed.

 

The steering is indeed electric. It's simple to tell if there's any fluid in the system, just open up the PS canister in the back of the engine bay (Little tiny black canister with a hose leading down, should be to the left of your airbox). You can also try turning the steering wheel, you should be able to hear the PS pump working, if not, it's dead.

There is a fuse you can check under the steering column, the fuse panel has a diagram for what fuse is what. The pumps also have a tendency to overheat and stop working, but it doesn't sound like that's the case since you had just started the car, and that's typically only on the track.

I don't recall how much the part costs off the top of my head, but it's not that bad. A good indy mechanic should be able to swap it out for you in about an hour. Personally I think anyone that spends $600 for a PS pump is out of their mind. The part is probably $180, and the labor shouldn't be more than 120-150.

 

Is not cheap to replace it, in my experience is a faulty design and it fails more fast than other models, this issue was fixed in recent models, but for 2002 and 2003 is a common fail, also you must have care about the pump fan below the car, I think that I notice a chilling sound, when the pump begins to sound, it's a clear sympton to a total failure, it can last 3 to 6 months more, but I suggest start saving for that expensive change, mine cost $ 500 plus $ 60 of labor.

 

Junkyard $100 out of low mileage '05. About 3 hours to put in with the skid plate. Not terribly tough but you have to be part contortionist to access it.

 

We've pulled mine out a few times now (Not pulled it out, but done something to make it accessible to change), it's not that bad

 

Please point me to a source for $180 reman. or new power steering pumps for the MINI. The cheapest I can find is about $320, wholesale. Thanks.

Steve

 

the part online runs about $600 at pelican for a remanufactured pump. $395 w/o s&h is cheapest i found in a real quick google brand new no discount. $500 - $580 is what danny charges for the pump and install.

 

I replaced mine in November. I got a new pump from a wrecking yard and i believe it was about $300 with a 2 year part and labor warranty. Here is the website.

http://www.dentonautosalvage.com/

they ship all over the country. like was said earlier, you kinda have to be a contortionist to get it done but it's worth saving the $500+ on it. good luck.

 

Ok, so I got in to go home tonight, and power steering was back. I got home, changed and hopped back in to goto the gym, it was gone again. Got in to go home, and it was back. Is this off and on a hint of total failure to come?

 

Yes.

 

Yes, that is the sympton, it come on and off, replace it as soon as you can...

 

Check your power steering cooling fan first. If it doesn't turn freely it could be the issue.


Paul

 

Where might I find this fan?

 

Under the car pointing at the power steering pump. Do your self a big favor buy the Bentley manual.

I took out my pump brought it a a re manufacturing facility in Massachusetts and it was fine, my fan was bad.

Paul

 

If you look just behind the oil pan you will see the fan.

A manual really does come in handy at times like these.

 

and make sure to use Pentosin hydraulic fluid for yr PS system, NOT PS fluid. Hopefully it's just yr pump, for if it's yr rack it's a LOT more expensive to replace. I blew an O-ring inside one of the bellows on my 2005 S PS rack and it cost $1,390 + $130 for a 4 wheel alignment to replace (under warranty.) Bellows filled up like a water balloon!

The PS system on the 02-06s is electro-hydraulic, NOT electric, and has been a real albatross for MINI and BMW. It is a technical holdover from the Rover era. That's why the new MINIs have all-electric steering systems.

 

$320 is the lowest price I have heard of yet! Where did you find this price, if you dont mind.

 

i don't think there is a $180 pump anywhere. maybe he has confused it with the fan.

i think the general fee for the pump new or remanufactured online is between $300-$600. and independent mechanic part including install will run between $450-$600. and the stealership is right around $800 in most areas.

i just wonder why the cost difference is so high between say a $325 online retailer and pelican who charges $600. granted, pelican is getting the part from BMW but, that is a huge price gap there. has anyone purchased a $300-ish pump? and if so how did it turn out? also anyone tired a chain parts store like napa? not a huge fan of chain auto parts but if it's a remanufactured pump it should be the OEM casing. with a possible lifetime warranty no? if that were the case you may be able to buy the pump and have your mechanic install it if you don't want or can't DYI and if the pump dies it would be warrantied. of course i'm speculating on the warranty there. but, might be good to find out.

 

Since we are a repair shop, we have access to wholesale prices and these are remanufactured. We do mark these up. Also, prices change all the time. BMW/MINI had two LARGE price increases last year on the pump which caused the pump to become outrageously expensive.

Steve

 

CHeck fuse #39 (5amp) located inside the fuse panel on the left kick panel inside the car. This fuse will shut the pump down. Good luck.

 

I have a service appt. with MINI of Towson next Tuesday. Can't wait for them to call me to tell me I have a 4 digit bill with them.

 

Jeremy. I had sent you a PM on this issue. I can get you the pump for cheap and throw it in for you. It is not a big deal. Let me know if you want any help. They will probaly charge over 2 hours for the install plus regular price on the pump.