Massive power steering fluid leak

BreadvanRick · 11-02-2011, 09:09 AM

I have recently bought a 2001 325Ci as my daily hack but on a recent trip the power steering went very heavy. As I was only a mile from home I pulled up and the fluid was literally gushing out.

I filled it up again this morning as it is going to the garage later and after 8 miles it is empty again. Could this be the pump as it is only 2 months old or is it likely to be something else? I'm not mechanically minded at all so don't want to get bummed by the garage.

All comments appreciated, thanks.

Rick

GoingNuts · 11-02-2011, 09:26 AM

If you want to be mechanically minded, you need to get bummed. Bumming brings out the mechanic in you that you didn't know was in there.

328ci906 · 11-02-2011, 09:41 AM

If it's gushing out, my guess is that a hose just got loose. Open the hood and inspect the two hoses going from the PS reservoir. Get under the car, pull the splash shield and look for a loose hose. Then worry about a bad pump.

Zchild · 11-02-2011, 11:15 AM

+1 on the hoses, when my power steering hoses leaked they gunked up my alternator and shorted it out so I had to replace both the power steering hose and the alternator...

Loaded325i · 11-02-2011, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoingNuts

If you want to be mechanically minded, you need to get bummed. Bumming brings out the mechanic in you that you didn't know was in there.

Yes yes and yes

alwaysw · 11-02-2011, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328ci906

If it's gushing out, my guess is that a hose just got loose. Open the hood and inspect the two hoses going from the PS reservoir. Get under the car, pull the splash shield and look for a loose hose. Then worry about a bad pump.

To check the PS hoses under the reservoir, you can use an inspection mirror, but removing the airbox improves visibility tremendously. Here's a shot from where the airbox sits, looking upwards at the bottom of the PS reservoir. You'll notice on mine, even though these hoses and clamps were newer, they still leaked.

And as Zchild warned, your alternator might now be on its way out due to the leakage. If you begin to notice the red battery warning lamp in your dash, order a replacement alternator immediately.

new//M3fan · 11-02-2011, 12:31 PM

Could also be the HP PS hose bolted to the steering rack.

11-02-2011, 09:09 AM	#1
BreadvanRick Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Ramsbottom Posts: 1 My Ride: Z3M Coupe / 200 View My Garage	Massive power steering fluid leak I have recently bought a 2001 325Ci as my daily hack but on a recent trip the power steering went very heavy. As I was only a mile from home I pulled up and the fluid was literally gushing out. I filled it up again this morning as it is going to the garage later and after 8 miles it is empty again. Could this be the pump as it is only 2 months old or is it likely to be something else? I'm not mechanically minded at all so don't want to get bummed by the garage. All comments appreciated, thanks. Rick

11-02-2011, 09:26 AM	#2
GoingNuts Just Nuts Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: London Posts: 7,254 My Ride: 2004 330Ci View My Garage	If you want to be mechanically minded, you need to get bummed. Bumming brings out the mechanic in you that you didn't know was in there. Last edited by GoingNuts; 11-02-2011 at 09:28 AM.

11-02-2011, 09:41 AM	#3
328ci906 Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Scranton, PA Posts: 376 My Ride: 2003 M3 View My Garage	If it's gushing out, my guess is that a hose just got loose. Open the hood and inspect the two hoses going from the PS reservoir. Get under the car, pull the splash shield and look for a loose hose. Then worry about a bad pump. __________________ 2003 ///M3 6spd Jet Black/Cinnamon (I Loan Valve Adjustment Tools! PM me...)

11-02-2011, 11:15 AM	#4
Zchild Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Columbia, Maryland Posts: 1,639 My Ride: 2000 BMW 3XXi ZSP View My Garage	+1 on the hoses, when my power steering hoses leaked they gunked up my alternator and shorted it out so I had to replace both the power steering hose and the alternator... __________________ V/R Zachary Pullins Sr. National Capital Chapter BMWCCA NCC Member Recognition Chairman NCC High Performance Driving School Registrar NCC Auto-X BOD Liaison DIY Senior Committee Coordinator 2006 E90 325Xi & 2000 E46 3XXi " Vision without resources is just hallucination"

11-02-2011, 12:31 PM	#7
new//M3fan Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Reston, VA Posts: 2,532 My Ride: 78' 924 87' E30 View My Garage	Could also be the HP PS hose bolted to the steering rack. __________________ F-BOMBS IN SIGS Bilstein HD's \| E30 M3 FCAB's \| H&R OE Sports \| FR strut bars \| Self tuned 027 chip \| KoseiK1's on R888's \| +crazy OCD things

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