Power Steering leak - but from where?
Discussion
Hi guys,
I've got a 1995 328 track car that seems to have developed a steering fluid leak.
I fitted an M3 diff last weekend and only yesterday had the chance to take it for a spin on the road to test it out, all seemed fine but this morning i noticed oil drips running up the drive where i had pulled in.
After a bit of a look around it turns out its power steering fluid and its managed to get its self all over the aux belt and pully's, radiator fan and has been spread all over the bodywork.
I've given it a clean up and run the car on the spot but not been able to identify the source of the leak.
Where is it most likely to be from? the resivour pipes i presume? or are the pumps known to leak?
Am i best taking it for a gentle short drive and check it over or is it prehaps only because i was giving it a good trashing its been leaking?
Cheers,
Ry
I've got a 1995 328 track car that seems to have developed a steering fluid leak.
I fitted an M3 diff last weekend and only yesterday had the chance to take it for a spin on the road to test it out, all seemed fine but this morning i noticed oil drips running up the drive where i had pulled in.
After a bit of a look around it turns out its power steering fluid and its managed to get its self all over the aux belt and pully's, radiator fan and has been spread all over the bodywork.
I've given it a clean up and run the car on the spot but not been able to identify the source of the leak.
Where is it most likely to be from? the resivour pipes i presume? or are the pumps known to leak?
Am i best taking it for a gentle short drive and check it over or is it prehaps only because i was giving it a good trashing its been leaking?
Cheers,
Ry
More than likely the return pipe from the looped cooler to the reservior.
lots of tips on line how to fix. However, I struggled to get the high pressure hydraulic hose so in the end bought a new pipe from BMW and replaced the whole lot.
If you do just replace the pipe and clamps, please remember in that return pipe there is a pressure reducer-just remove from inside the old pipe and oudh into the new pipe, using a jubilee clip to hold it in place.
Oh, and make sure you have a dremel to cut the BMW crap clamps off from the end of the metal cooler loops-it will be a pig without one.
Phil
lots of tips on line how to fix. However, I struggled to get the high pressure hydraulic hose so in the end bought a new pipe from BMW and replaced the whole lot.
If you do just replace the pipe and clamps, please remember in that return pipe there is a pressure reducer-just remove from inside the old pipe and oudh into the new pipe, using a jubilee clip to hold it in place.
Oh, and make sure you have a dremel to cut the BMW crap clamps off from the end of the metal cooler loops-it will be a pig without one.
Phil
bull996 said:
Oh, and make sure you have a dremel to cut the BMW crap clamps off from the end of the metal cooler loops-it will be a pig without one.Phil
To be fair to BMW, if the clamps (clips), are the same type as the ones on the fuel pipe connected to the fuel sender, then it's not that they are crap, it's just that they are not maintenance friendly being a crimped type that are not designed to be reused like a jubilee clip is.bull996 said:
Thats true-I was just mad with mine as it was so difficult to get off!!
Tell Me about it!, I had to remove the one on the fuel pipe for the fuel sender so I could re-solder a wire back on. What a game!. The problem is that they do their job too well! (God bless jubilee clips!
)Cheers for the advice guys.
I got the missus to give me a hand today, had her turn the wheel lock to lock while i looked for the leak.
I couldnt find the source, its deffinately not the pipes, they are bone dry since i cleaned them up.
when at full lock oil is pouring onto the aux belt and being sprayed everywhere and as the leak seems to be hidden i'm certain its the pump its self.
gunna get one from ebay and replaceit, hopfully cure it!
any idea how long a job it is? i'm meant to be at Castle Combe next saturday!
I got the missus to give me a hand today, had her turn the wheel lock to lock while i looked for the leak.
I couldnt find the source, its deffinately not the pipes, they are bone dry since i cleaned them up.
when at full lock oil is pouring onto the aux belt and being sprayed everywhere and as the leak seems to be hidden i'm certain its the pump its self.
gunna get one from ebay and replaceit, hopfully cure it!
any idea how long a job it is? i'm meant to be at Castle Combe next saturday!
Here's a good howto with loads of pictures - I follow this guy's guides for a lot of DIY stuff 
http://www.dvatp.com/bmw/diy/power_steering_pump/
http://www.dvatp.com/bmw/diy/power_steering_pump/
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff