-
Read the WELCOME ALL BMWFANATICS post.
Power Steering on/off ? should I Worry?
- Thread starter jet li
- Start date
if it was sucking air low oil could cause that... just keep an eye on it and see if it does it again and also watch the oil level it should not go down... you may have a leak...
Nic_s
///Member
What year is it? And what did you fill it with? ATF?
You should also check your belts as it might be slipping. Do you often hear a short screeching sound when you start of turn off the car? The main belt handles the water pump, alternator, and power steering pump. If that belt goes your in trouble and you will be stranded wherever it decides to go.
To make sure the belts are running 100%:
1. Make sure there's no small cracks in the belts or that they are run down shiny smooth. This could show that the belts are old.
2. Check tensioners. If they go soft the belts would also start slipping.
3. Check the Adjustable pulley's (To which the tensioners are connected) and try to see if there is any play on them like worn bearings.
Personally I find this setup stupid and to date I have not been able to find out why adjustable pulley's with tenioners have been used. I need new tensioners on my E34 540 (Same motor) and they are around R650 for the Febi part.
You should also check your belts as it might be slipping. Do you often hear a short screeching sound when you start of turn off the car? The main belt handles the water pump, alternator, and power steering pump. If that belt goes your in trouble and you will be stranded wherever it decides to go.
To make sure the belts are running 100%:
1. Make sure there's no small cracks in the belts or that they are run down shiny smooth. This could show that the belts are old.
2. Check tensioners. If they go soft the belts would also start slipping.
3. Check the Adjustable pulley's (To which the tensioners are connected) and try to see if there is any play on them like worn bearings.
Personally I find this setup stupid and to date I have not been able to find out why adjustable pulley's with tenioners have been used. I need new tensioners on my E34 540 (Same motor) and they are around R650 for the Febi part.
Nic_s
///Member
jet li said:
My belt slipped a few weeks ago when I hit a big puddle of standing water and the steering went heavy, the lights dimmed, and the wipers slowed down because the belt wasn't driving the power steering pump or alternator. Then I heard a screeching noise for like 2 secs and gripped the belt again. Got quite a scare.
I asked about ATF as a lot of people just assume that's what goes in it. Even I did, but I checked the handbook first anyway and saw you needed that CHS stuff instead. You can get the same stuff from Masterparts for waaayy less (Can't remember the price). It's a short fat 1L green bottle and it's all written in German. Rick540 found out about it. I have a pick of what the bottle looks like, but not with me right now. Will post it so you can see what it looks like. :thumb:
D
Dippies
Guest
Think nic sorted you already :thumbs::thumbs:
Nic_s
///Member
Raybimmer said:
Forgot about that. I believe so. If the power steering pump stops then the brakes also stop working. That's why if you start the engine, then switch off a few seconds later, open the power steering fluid reservoir, then pump the brake pedal you'll see fluid rising to the top.
For those interested and don't know this about the M60 motor (Thanks goes to Rick540 for the info):
The power steering pump holds the fluid under pressure while running. If you leave the reservoir open and start the engine, after it's been standing all night, you will see the fluid level take a noise dive. Don't fill it up while the motor is running. Once the engine is switched off the pressure slowly releases and the fluid slowly starts pushing back into the reservoir. If you filled it while the motor was running there will be to much fluid and it will push passed the lid if the car stands over night or even just for like 5-8 hours. You can get the same effect by switching off the motor and pushing the brake pedal for about 20 times. Then you check the level and fill to about 2cm below the top edge of the reservoir if needed.
Will post the pick tomorrow.
It's known as the BMW H31 Braking system where the brake assistance is provided by the power steering pump pressure and not engine vacuum.
It's an older compact and clever Citroen based system they fitted because after they shoehorned that V8 in there, there was no space left for anything else.
The system works well and is fitted to some models of E23/28/31/32/34
It's an older compact and clever Citroen based system they fitted because after they shoehorned that V8 in there, there was no space left for anything else.
The system works well and is fitted to some models of E23/28/31/32/34
Similar threads
