Correct power steering fluid? -- 2010 E90 320D N47

[MintSauce]

Hey Everyone,

Apologies for the long story. If you KNOW the answer to the question, you might not need to read it all. I really just want to know what the correct ATF fluid is for my power steering system-- it REALLY shouldn't be this hard.

Currently it's a very dark, chocolatey brown 🤨

I've been trying to flush my power steering in order to resolve a humming noise in my engine bay. I knew that some models use CHF-11S and some ATF, but the car wasn't with me to check when I ordered.
I called Goldwagen and they said I needed CHF-11S. Bought 2 litres which they promptly delivered. Later that evening after the wife got home, I went to do the flush and saw my cap said ATF ONLY 🤦‍♂️

Stopped in at Goldwagen the following day and told them I needed ATF. A gent behind the counter said I needed "A320"-- Goldwagen's code for Febi 02615. I trusted them again.

Got home last night and opened the bottle and saw a clear fluid. Febi's site says 'yellow'. Checked the bottle and Febi's site and saw that they'd given me hydraulic fluid, which is obviously not the same as ATF fluid.

Called them again this morning, after I'd punched the BMW part number for the fluid, obtained via RealOEM, into Febi's site and it matched it to Febi 08971, a red fluid. They didn't have but ordered it for me.

I've subsequently dug deeper on Febi's site and see that they suggest a different fluid for the 135kw version of the N47, which is in fact a clear/yellow fluid called Febi 34608.

Can anyone provide some insight?

Different fluids obviously cannot be mixed. Right now I'm leaning towards just using what I've ordered, but doing a complete flush, as opposed to the easy flush of just remove with syringe/fill to top/repeat until it's clear.

Thank you, as always 🙏

 

[Kyle]

If the cap says ATF then any good quality ATF will do... I use Liqui Moly Top Tec 1200 on cars that call for ATF.

 

[MintSauce]

If the cap says ATF then any good quality ATF will do... I use Liqui Moly Top Tec 1200 on cars that call for ATF.

Thank you, Kyle

 

[tdi_stig]

CHF11-s

All of them say atf on the cap, but they come with a sticker that says chf. The sticker is usually washed off after time.

 

[MintSauce]

There's so much conflicting information. One source I saw specifically said that E90 diesels were all ATF and the petrols CHF11S.

I tried to contact a BMW dealership. Parts department did not think checking the system would tell them and told me to speak to the service department-- what do they do when a customer walks in to buy power steering fluid then? 🤷‍♂️

After finally managing to get a technician on the phone after multiple attempts to multiple dealerships, he said, "whatever is on the cap" and when I mentioned that the CHF11S sticker comes off and underneath it ALL the caps say ATF, he said "whatever is on the cap". FFS, can you be any more ignorant?

What I do know, is that the power steering system can take either. Since beginning this unexpected adventure, I've decided that I want to do a full flush anyway, so that makes it a bit easier. I've gotten the Febi 08971 that matches the BMW part number for the vehicle and decided this morning to not eff around and just replace the reservoir/filter as well. It's only R400.

Thank you all for the input!

 

[VernyMac]

Howsit bud,

This is a mission to get the correct fluids and also to do a full flush with out letting the pump run dry.. Just try remove as much as you can and top off with the new fluid.

Heard horror stories when the pump runs dry and you now have to replace full rack and not just fluid....

All the best with the service! let us know how it goes

 

[Mytfine]

You have to drain the resovoir, refill with fresh fluid, let it circulate and do it again and again until there is only fresh fluid in the system, 5 to 6 is usually about the sweet spot. Usually it's very easy to make out if it's CHF or ATF due to the colour, but if it's burnt try the smelling it.

 

[MintSauce]

Thank you Everyone

I did the reservoir replacement and flush this past weekend. Was pretty straightforward and one of the easier jobs I've done. Power steering is functioning as before. The fluid that came out was a very dark, reddish brown and definitely due for replacement.

I've heard reports of the steering being lighter after a full flush, but neither I nor the wife can feel any difference. As for the humming noise I was hoping to resolve-- this did NOT do it 🥲

 

[MintSauce]

While I'm here, the flush requires less than a litre of fluid. Seeing as I'm not yet able to post ads and as I bought 2 bottles to do the "lazy" flush, if anyone needs a bottle, let me know