Power Steering Whine on Cold Start
Power Steering Whine on Cold Start
Among the smaller issues cropping up with my 2003 MCS, I've noticed a whine coming from the power steering on cold start.
The whine only occurs for a few seconds right after starting, while beginning to move with the wheels turned almost all the way to the right (and only on cold mornings).
The power steering fluid reservoir is full and not leaking. (It's been replaced twice.)
So I'm wondering if the whine is an indicator of problems to come, or just an odd quirk. Should I be concerned about the health of my power steering pump?
Maybe the power steering system just doesn't push enough fluid to the pump until the car gets moving a bit?
The whine only occurs for a few seconds right after starting, while beginning to move with the wheels turned almost all the way to the right (and only on cold mornings).
The power steering fluid reservoir is full and not leaking. (It's been replaced twice.)
So I'm wondering if the whine is an indicator of problems to come, or just an odd quirk. Should I be concerned about the health of my power steering pump?
Maybe the power steering system just doesn't push enough fluid to the pump until the car gets moving a bit?
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 69
Likes: 1
From: Melbourne, Australia
Power steering whine is normal unless its extremely loud, when it doesn't make any noise at all I would be concerned. If you have it at 100% lock or near enough, the pump will be working at maximum and then will drop down in amperage for a brief time to protect the pump. If you hold it on full lock for an excessive time you overheat and can damage the pump. Also turning the steering without the road wheels moving will put a lot of pressure on the power steering and can damage it.
Normal....
The fluid is thicker when cold, pump works harder...so makes noise...check the level and if it is full drive!! The pump was NEVER quiet....they have always made noise...remember the pump works in 2 modes...a high output/high load mode, and a low level, low output mode...so wiggling the steering wheel when the car is not moving or going slow is a HARD thing for the pump...
Stop worrying about your car, and drive!! It is one thing to be aware of potential issues (I have noticed from your posts), but another to stay up worrying and being ocd about every "item" on a car that seems to be different than one expects....
So just drive!! Have fun!! Enjoy your car!!
The fluid is thicker when cold, pump works harder...so makes noise...check the level and if it is full drive!! The pump was NEVER quiet....they have always made noise...remember the pump works in 2 modes...a high output/high load mode, and a low level, low output mode...so wiggling the steering wheel when the car is not moving or going slow is a HARD thing for the pump...
Stop worrying about your car, and drive!! It is one thing to be aware of potential issues (I have noticed from your posts), but another to stay up worrying and being ocd about every "item" on a car that seems to be different than one expects....
So just drive!! Have fun!! Enjoy your car!!
Good to know this is normal. The pump hadn't made any noticeable noise up until recently, and this whine is pretty loud, so I was a bit concerned.
ZippyNH, I love my Mini - and drive the heck out of it every day! I'm just trying to learn about the car's issues and stay ahead of the game.
My previous car was a Camry, which had very few problems in the first fifteen years. When I heard a similar whine coming from the Camry (even briefly), the power steering fluid was extremely low. Finding and fixing the leak saved me time and money.
This Mini, by contrast, has had all manner of problems. In ten years, the previous owner had to replace the: power steering pump, PS reservoir (twice), thermostat (twice), coolant tank (twice), radiator, dipstick, suspension bushings, AC fan, head gasket, and clutch.
In the six months I've owned it: the engine ejected a spark plug (stripping out the threads in the head), the AC fan control died (again), the headlight washer tip broke off (spurting water out the front of the car), the fascia of the toggle switches broke off (rendering the switch bank almost useless), and the airbag warning light came on. It's also leaking oil, the passenger seat will not adjust correctly, and the navigation CD drive won't accept a disc anymore.
Given that Minis have a history of power steering failures, it seemed reasonable to be concerned - and well worth asking about.
I've learned a lot from reading old posts on NAM, and asking questions has helped even more. I hope everyone here will continue to begrudge me my "concerns" now and then. :-)
ZippyNH, I love my Mini - and drive the heck out of it every day! I'm just trying to learn about the car's issues and stay ahead of the game.
My previous car was a Camry, which had very few problems in the first fifteen years. When I heard a similar whine coming from the Camry (even briefly), the power steering fluid was extremely low. Finding and fixing the leak saved me time and money.
This Mini, by contrast, has had all manner of problems. In ten years, the previous owner had to replace the: power steering pump, PS reservoir (twice), thermostat (twice), coolant tank (twice), radiator, dipstick, suspension bushings, AC fan, head gasket, and clutch.
In the six months I've owned it: the engine ejected a spark plug (stripping out the threads in the head), the AC fan control died (again), the headlight washer tip broke off (spurting water out the front of the car), the fascia of the toggle switches broke off (rendering the switch bank almost useless), and the airbag warning light came on. It's also leaking oil, the passenger seat will not adjust correctly, and the navigation CD drive won't accept a disc anymore.
Given that Minis have a history of power steering failures, it seemed reasonable to be concerned - and well worth asking about.
I've learned a lot from reading old posts on NAM, and asking questions has helped even more. I hope everyone here will continue to begrudge me my "concerns" now and then. :-)
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 69
Likes: 1
From: Melbourne, Australia
G'day again, I have a pre 03/2002 Justa and have owned it for around 10 months.
In that time I have replaced the rear brake pads and rotors, power steering pump and fan, water pump and radiator (the water pump was a precautionary whilst I had the front off), engine mounts, plugs , plug leads and coil pack. I had the clutch replaced by a Mini dealership. currently awaiting a front sway bar link. I have removed both door seals and tailgate seal, cleaned off the rust and repainted the repairs and replaced the crank sensor O-Ring. Yes I have spent a few dollars on the car and if I had, had the time, I would have done the clutch repair myself but as its a daily drive I didn't have the time to do that task. As it is a 2002 Gen 1, its a 12 year old car where I expect issues due to both age and no prior knowledge of how it had been maintained by previous owners. Has it been expensive ? that's debatable for the price I purchased the car second hand but with the knowledge of what has now been replaced or repaired and its current condition. Would I off load it onto someone due to the issues ? no. I am happy to keep it, actually enjoy driving and maintaining it and the key words I think are Maintenance and responsible driving (not flogging it to death). I can see tyres and suspension in the near future but again that's wear and tear (plus a healthy dose of what can I do next to it). There is a wealth of information on this and other forums and some very good YouTube videos by a NAM member "Mod Mini" if you choose to do your own repairs and save a dollar at the same time. Enjoy the car, accept its age, accept that it will need repairs and give it the TLC it desires and I think you will find you will enjoy it for a long time. Don't get bogged down with the warranty issues everyone seems to enjoy as again its an old vehicle and no warranty will last forever. Maintain it to get the best use and enjoyment from what is a lovely little car to drive. They are still head turners and I never fail to enjoy seeing another Mini on the road regardless of its Generation and I seriously doubt anyone would begrudge you a genuine question or concern in regards to your Mini.
In that time I have replaced the rear brake pads and rotors, power steering pump and fan, water pump and radiator (the water pump was a precautionary whilst I had the front off), engine mounts, plugs , plug leads and coil pack. I had the clutch replaced by a Mini dealership. currently awaiting a front sway bar link. I have removed both door seals and tailgate seal, cleaned off the rust and repainted the repairs and replaced the crank sensor O-Ring. Yes I have spent a few dollars on the car and if I had, had the time, I would have done the clutch repair myself but as its a daily drive I didn't have the time to do that task. As it is a 2002 Gen 1, its a 12 year old car where I expect issues due to both age and no prior knowledge of how it had been maintained by previous owners. Has it been expensive ? that's debatable for the price I purchased the car second hand but with the knowledge of what has now been replaced or repaired and its current condition. Would I off load it onto someone due to the issues ? no. I am happy to keep it, actually enjoy driving and maintaining it and the key words I think are Maintenance and responsible driving (not flogging it to death). I can see tyres and suspension in the near future but again that's wear and tear (plus a healthy dose of what can I do next to it). There is a wealth of information on this and other forums and some very good YouTube videos by a NAM member "Mod Mini" if you choose to do your own repairs and save a dollar at the same time. Enjoy the car, accept its age, accept that it will need repairs and give it the TLC it desires and I think you will find you will enjoy it for a long time. Don't get bogged down with the warranty issues everyone seems to enjoy as again its an old vehicle and no warranty will last forever. Maintain it to get the best use and enjoyment from what is a lovely little car to drive. They are still head turners and I never fail to enjoy seeing another Mini on the road regardless of its Generation and I seriously doubt anyone would begrudge you a genuine question or concern in regards to your Mini.
Good to know this is normal. The pump hadn't made any noticeable noise up until recently, and this whine is pretty loud, so I was a bit concerned.
ZippyNH, I love my Mini - and drive the heck out of it every day! I'm just trying to learn about the car's issues and stay ahead of the game.
My previous car was a Camry, which had very few problems in the first fifteen years. When I heard a similar whine coming from the Camry (even briefly), the power steering fluid was extremely low. Finding and fixing the leak saved me time and money.
This Mini, by contrast, has had all manner of problems. In ten years, the previous owner had to replace the: power steering pump, PS reservoir (twice), thermostat (twice), coolant tank (twice), radiator, dipstick, suspension bushings, AC fan, head gasket, and clutch.
In the six months I've owned it: the engine ejected a spark plug (stripping out the threads in the head), the AC fan control died (again), the headlight washer tip broke off (spurting water out the front of the car), the fascia of the toggle switches broke off (rendering the switch bank almost useless), and the airbag warning light came on. It's also leaking oil, the passenger seat will not adjust correctly, and the navigation CD drive won't accept a disc anymore.
Given that Minis have a history of power steering failures, it seemed reasonable to be concerned - and well worth asking about.
I've learned a lot from reading old posts on NAM, and asking questions has helped even more. I hope everyone here will continue to begrudge me my "concerns" now and then. :-)
ZippyNH, I love my Mini - and drive the heck out of it every day! I'm just trying to learn about the car's issues and stay ahead of the game.
My previous car was a Camry, which had very few problems in the first fifteen years. When I heard a similar whine coming from the Camry (even briefly), the power steering fluid was extremely low. Finding and fixing the leak saved me time and money.
This Mini, by contrast, has had all manner of problems. In ten years, the previous owner had to replace the: power steering pump, PS reservoir (twice), thermostat (twice), coolant tank (twice), radiator, dipstick, suspension bushings, AC fan, head gasket, and clutch.
In the six months I've owned it: the engine ejected a spark plug (stripping out the threads in the head), the AC fan control died (again), the headlight washer tip broke off (spurting water out the front of the car), the fascia of the toggle switches broke off (rendering the switch bank almost useless), and the airbag warning light came on. It's also leaking oil, the passenger seat will not adjust correctly, and the navigation CD drive won't accept a disc anymore.
Given that Minis have a history of power steering failures, it seemed reasonable to be concerned - and well worth asking about.
I've learned a lot from reading old posts on NAM, and asking questions has helped even more. I hope everyone here will continue to begrudge me my "concerns" now and then. :-)
I have always found it is cheaper to fix what you own out of warrenty when it fails, then to stress about buying a 3rd party warrenty....self insuring..let's face it, if the 3rd party places LOST $$, they would not sell their products!!
It is easy to go through these threads and worry about "what could happen"... Heck it can keep you up at night and ruin enjoyment of these cars for some...
So.etimes you just have to accept a car us getting older, and has some quirks...watchful waiting is best on many items on a car...matain it, fix it if it fails, but some items can not be 100% for YEARS and NEVER have it impact the car's reliability or safety....the rattly throwout bearings or Chewbacca dual mass clutch howels are both great examples (a sudden change in the loudness if the throwout bearing is a sign it is time to change it though), but many folks deal with one or both for years... Annoying, and costly to fix, but both are changed out when a clutch is done....so no real impact on the cost of ownership in many cases...
I just wanted to stress, enjoy your car, treat it well, and it should do the same for you!! Have fun!!
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