Horrific and Embarrassing sound from the engine bay

[1BeemerPurist]

I have a 130i almost 200 000Km. The car has been making a very strange sound when idling, when pressing the accelerator and gets worse when turning the steering wheel left or right. The car sounds sick, the sweet sound of the engine is muffled by an irritating hum, it's not a clicking or bumping sounds, it's more like a churning sound. The sound is even loader when parking the car or when just turning the steering wheel whilst the car is stationary without locking left or right. Very embarrassing in parking areas, as if though something is going to break under the hood.

Turning the steering wheel whilst the car is stationary, a vibration is felt on the steering in addition to the noise.

I assume a steering issue but not purely since when pressing the accelerator whilst the car is stationary and in neutral without turning the steering wheel the muffled sound is present and louder as the revs increase, suspecting PS pump. Checked PS reservoir levels (up to the second notch on dipstick), looked for leaks but no evidence of leaks.

I recently had the car serviced at the BMW dealership. Oil service, spark plugs, front brake pads, full vehicle inspection. Requested them to inspect belt, was told its fine. Balancing an alignment was also done.

Besides the PS pump, what could result in this sound?

What does a new PS pump cost?

Whats the harms of continuing to drive like this?

Want to address the issue, please help.

 

[sash]

Power steering is connected to engine via auxillary belt IIRC correctly, so could very well be the steering pump or other parts around it.

 

[husaindindar]

Best to have someone play with the steering in the car and you open the bonnet and trace the origins of the sound.

 

[momo1]

A new Bosch pump is around R4500
is your steering slightly stiff? does is re-center normally after turning?

 

[Lizzard]

It could be any of the following:

1. Power steering pump - R9K dealers, but this you will have if it squeal when turning the steering wheel as well as a stiff steering, aka hard to turn when standing still.
2. Idler pulley - R1K dealer, R400 goldwagen, this will have a high pitching noise but sounds horrible.
3. Tensioner pulley - R2.5K dealer, not available from Goldwagen, your belt will look like it is about a 1/4 of the pulley. Also makes one heck of a noise.
4. Fan belt - R800 dealer, R300 Goldwagen, also makes the car sound bad.

All the above went on my 330i :hammerhead:

Try following order, 4 - 2 - 3 - 1

 

[1BeemerPurist]

Thanks so much for the help and process of elimination guide.

Popped the hood, kept the car running, opened the reservoir. The PS fluid has turned color to a brownish color and looking into the reservoir with a flash light there is evidence of silver minute particles. There is an occasional bubble. Is the liquid suppose to vortex? The liquid appears rather stagnant. I was told the silver particles indicate the PS pump is breaking down.

Is there OBD software that would flag a cavitating pump?

Regarding the idler, pulleys, belts should I attend to that now or replace pump and then monitor?

Steering becoming slightly harder and vehicle steering wheel struggling to stay centralized post wheel align. Is this poor alignment or effects of failing PS pump?

Should I purchase a BMW pump, Bosch or an after market pump? I replaced water pump with a non BMW water pump (Pierburg) which is the manufacturer of the BMW pump excluding BMW part number and symbol.... Is there a similar setup for PS pump? What's the best non BMW PS pump?

Since the PS going to be changed, what else should be done at the same time? (Reservoir with embedded filter, pipes, belts, aluminum bolts).

Thanks so much



Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk

 

[CA_130]

when last was your power steering fluid and filter changed ?

Did you do it, and did you use anything other than Pentosin CHF or Ravenol CHF ?

 

[1BeemerPurist]

when last was your power steering fluid and filter changed ?

Did you do it, and did you use anything other than Pentosin CHF or Ravenol CHF ?

I didn't replace or top up the PS fluid myself. When the car is taken for CBS service at the dealership this is when it's checked. When I check other levels occasionally, PS reservoir levels at second notch (dipstick).

Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk

 

[Xeqtr]

Sounds exactly like the sound i experienced on my E90 when the power steering pump went...

 

[1BeemerPurist]

Thanks for all the input.

Going to get the pump replaced....

 

[1BeemerPurist]

Hi Guys

1) Got the pump replaced and replaced the aluminium bolt with a new one
2) Replaced the PS Fluid reservoir
3) Had the system flushed
4) Replaced the Ribbed V Belt

Car sounds good:=):

What a relief :ty:

Thanks for all the input

 

[Twinz]

Good resolve :thumbs: