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Registered
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 28
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whining power stering pump
I have a 98 328ic with a noisey power steering pump. It isn't particularly loud now but it's definitely louder than I think it should be. It doesn't seem to get any quieter even after it's warmed up. Is this a characteristic of the car or might I have a pump going bad. It only has 60,000 miles on it.
Mike |
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12-02-2003, 04:50 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 1,001
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Isn't whine typical when you are running low on fluid... have you checked it? Or it could be a loose belt.
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12-02-2003, 06:42 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 28
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I've checked the level and it's fine and there aren't any leaks. The belt is tight as well. I wonder if it may be the bearings in the pump. Or like I said it may just be normal.
Mike |
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12-02-2003, 07:41 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 1,001
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No, a whine shouldn't be normal. I mean, you'll hear a bit of a whirl (in a relatively quiet environment) when turning the wheel. That is just the system coming under load, but a constant whine is something else. Is this vehicle relatively new to you? Someone may be running the wrong type of fluid in the unit. That could cause whine. This system isn't easily flushable... does anyone know of a good way to to test for proper PSP fluid?
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12-03-2003, 07:29 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 28
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I will try to change the fluid the best I can to see if that helps but if not I may just go ahead and replace the pump if it's not overly expensive. If it is I may just wait for it to fail.
Mike |
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12-03-2003, 04:30 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 32
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Don't wait too long. If you are, it will cost you the steering rack too.
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12-04-2003, 07:28 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 1,001
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Are these cars 'power assist' steering, or 'true' power steering? The difference is when you lose your PS pump on power assit, the steering behaves just like a non-powered rack and pinion system. If you have true power steering, you have to push the fluid back through the system if you lose power, and it is a serious monster to try and steer without your PS pump.
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12-04-2003, 07:55 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 28
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I don't really know. I know that it is speed sensitive though. It steers fine and I drove a 96 328I that was also noisy. The only reason I question as to whether or not it is normal is because I have a 1994 325IC that does not make any noise at all.
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12-04-2003, 09:02 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 1,001
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I too have a '94 325iC... and it too is whisper silent. I'd check into it a little more before you do anything, especially with it running okay.
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12-04-2003, 10:55 AM
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