Power Steering leaking

bigneil · Sun, Jan-18-2009, 11:23:50 PM

I changed the oil today and noticed the X-brace area is all slimy. I know I'm leaking power steering fluid (I'm trying to go 2 full months without spending any money on the car so I need to get to Feb 1). Would that be the fluid I'm seeing? It's not leaking oil.

Is the power steering fluid the one with the fan-blade style cap that you can undo by hand - on the drivers side of the engine behind the oil filter housing? It says "ATF Oil only" on the cap so I was confused. I have a manual so it's not ATF fluid... they only had one kind of Power Steering fluid at Auto Zone.

Thanks

fun2drive51 · Sun, Jan-18-2009, 11:31:00 PM

First of all DO NOT USE POWER STEERING fluid. Use ATF Dex III.

Most likely one of the infamous crimp clamps has lost tension. Find where, resevoir or hose then use a standard high quality worm clamp and clamp over that area. Do a search and you will find this a common and effective technique to repair a leaking hose on the power steering system...

egebhardt · Mon, Jan-19-2009, 12:50:57 AM

You are correct. The fan-screw-lid thingy is Power Steering. Use ATF fluid in there. I used some cheap ATF DexIII fluid. I'm sure you can use synthetic, but it sounds like you are on a budget for now. The hoses for that system (3) are common leakers. If one is leaking, remove it and take it to a place that can replace the rubber 300psi hosing ($20) portion. Keep the metal ends get new worm-clamps ($5) to secure them to the metal ends. This hose is cheap and so are the clamps, and it's worth it. You don't want to buy a new power steering pump ($200) or steering rack ($300). Keep enough AFT in the resovoir so it is between the marks on the plastic stick. Don't go out and buy new hoses from BMW or an autoparts place. They are $80 - $100 each and will leak sooner than the new hose/clamp system.

Zummie · Mon, Jan-19-2009, 02:29:23 AM

Twenty bucks.

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showp...5&postcount=13

av2 · Wed, May-06-2009, 06:21:28 PM

I've noticed the same thing. After careful inspection, I think the cap has an overfill outlet from the dip stick to the outside of the cap. I think the leak is caused by you overfilling the PS system, so excess oil gets drained out. This is normal. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

**PurduinaM3** · Wed, May-06-2009, 06:32:48 PM

You're wrong. The lines are notorious for leaking.

badgtho · Wed, May-06-2009, 07:16:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by av2

I've noticed the same thing. After careful inspection, I think the cap has an overfill outlet from the dip stick to the outside of the cap. I think the leak is caused by you overfilling the PS system, so excess oil gets drained out. This is normal. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

wrong.

corrected.

Anubis · Wed, May-06-2009, 07:21:04 PM

These:

Are doing this:

M3cosmos95 · Wed, May-06-2009, 07:33:28 PM

av2 · Wed, May-06-2009, 08:01:16 PM

Prior to changing the power steering fluids, my car had NO leaks. Bigneil seems to have the leak right after changing the PS fluids as well. I am going clean the area and double check where the leak is coming from before spending more money.

Sun, Jan-18-2009, 11:23:50 PM	#1
bigneil Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2,885 Reputation: 0	Power Steering leaking I changed the oil today and noticed the X-brace area is all slimy. I know I'm leaking power steering fluid (I'm trying to go 2 full months without spending any money on the car so I need to get to Feb 1). Would that be the fluid I'm seeing? It's not leaking oil. Is the power steering fluid the one with the fan-blade style cap that you can undo by hand - on the drivers side of the engine behind the oil filter housing? It says "ATF Oil only" on the cap so I was confused. I have a manual so it's not ATF fluid... they only had one kind of Power Steering fluid at Auto Zone. Thanks

Mon, Jan-19-2009, 12:50:57 AM	#3
egebhardt Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Age: 40 Posts: 1,727 Reputation: 0 Location: San Mateo, CA	You are correct. The fan-screw-lid thingy is Power Steering. Use ATF fluid in there. I used some cheap ATF DexIII fluid. I'm sure you can use synthetic, but it sounds like you are on a budget for now. The hoses for that system (3) are common leakers. If one is leaking, remove it and take it to a place that can replace the rubber 300psi hosing ($20) portion. Keep the metal ends get new worm-clamps ($5) to secure them to the metal ends. This hose is cheap and so are the clamps, and it's worth it. You don't want to buy a new power steering pump ($200) or steering rack ($300). Keep enough AFT in the resovoir so it is between the marks on the plastic stick. Don't go out and buy new hoses from BMW or an autoparts place. They are $80 - $100 each and will leak sooner than the new hose/clamp system. __________________ 96 Boston on Grey 2dr - New 5.17.13 98 Estoril on Grey 4dr - New 3.25.12 98 Arctic on Grey 4dr - Sold 3.18.13 Brandon driving it 98 Estoril on Grey 2dr - Sold 8.6.12 Thy sold it 99 Estoril on Sand 2dr - Sold 7.31.12 Eric driving it 98 Arctic on Grey 2dr - Sold 3.10.12 Kyle driving it 96 Techno on Black 2dr-Sold 6.13.09 Ross totaled it

Mon, Jan-19-2009, 02:29:23 AM	#4
Zummie Alpine Phoenix Owner Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 993 Reputation: 0 Location: San Bernadino County	Twenty bucks. http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showp...5&postcount=13 __________________ -Jonathan 1998 M3 Sedan, Alpine White - Black Dinan Exhaust, Dinan CAI, Dinan Stage 2 Software, X-Brace, Front H&R Sway Bar, UUC Black TMEs, RE RSMs, Rear TCKline Koni's and Front S/A Koni's, H&R OE Sports, GC RTAB Shims, Stewart WP, Zionsville Radiator, Depo IV w/ DDM 55W 6K HIDs, DDM 55W 6K HID Fogs, JTD Underpanel, Z3 Steering Rack, Hyper Silver Arc-8's 17x9 with 245/40s and V1

Wed, May-06-2009, 06:21:28 PM	#5
av2 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 73 Reputation: 0	I've noticed the same thing. After careful inspection, I think the cap has an overfill outlet from the dip stick to the outside of the cap. I think the leak is caused by you overfilling the PS system, so excess oil gets drained out. This is normal. Someone correct me if I am wrong. __________________ E92 M3 DCT Ferrari F430 F1 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S

Wed, May-06-2009, 07:21:04 PM	#8
Anubis Dr. Awesomesauce Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 7,713 Reputation: 0 Location: Boston	These: Are doing this: __________________ -Jeff 1999 Estoril Blue/Dove Grey M3 Coupé HID Lighting FAQ, Power rear vent windows, Bosch headlights (output), Euro cluster, Euro 3-spoke steering wheel, Autodim/HomeLink mirror, Headlight aim control, Underhood lamp

Sun, Jan-18-2009, 11:31:00 PM	#2
fun2drive51 BMWCCA 149159 Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 220 Reputation: 0 Location: Panhandle of Florida	First of all DO NOT USE POWER STEERING fluid. Use ATF Dex III. Most likely one of the infamous crimp clamps has lost tension. Find where, resevoir or hose then use a standard high quality worm clamp and clamp over that area. Do a search and you will find this a common and effective technique to repair a leaking hose on the power steering system...

Wed, May-06-2009, 06:32:48 PM	#6
PurduinaM3 Banned Join Date: Jul 2007 Age: 27 Posts: 15,677 In the garage: '98 BMW M3 '05 AUDI A4 Reputation: 0 Location: White Plains, NY	You're wrong. The lines are notorious for leaking.

Wed, May-06-2009, 07:33:28 PM	#9
M3cosmos95 I've never even been to Mt. Vesuvius! Join Date: Jun 2007 Age: 25 Posts: 4,603 Reputation: 0 Location: Port Orange, FL	__________________ Ansel MY EX-///M3 \|\| Vanos DIY \|\| 200k ///M Club:(ask me for membership!) \|\| Supercharged ///95 Club(ask me for membership!)

Wed, May-06-2009, 08:01:16 PM	#10
av2 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 73 Reputation: 0	Prior to changing the power steering fluids, my car had NO leaks. Bigneil seems to have the leak right after changing the PS fluids as well. I am going clean the area and double check where the leak is coming from before spending more money. __________________ E92 M3 DCT Ferrari F430 F1 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Leaking Power Steering Pressure Hose - WHat to do ?	M3Seeto	E46 M3 (2001-2006)	42	Mon, Jun-06-2011 06:25:18 PM
Delete AC, power steering, power brakes?	imaverb	E36 M3 (1992-1999)	8	Mon, Dec-22-2008 11:10:51 AM
leaking power steering hose...	mmmpowr	Faults, Fixes and DIY	1	Tue, May-13-2008 03:21:35 AM
Manual steering rack-removed power steering	///M3*Snow22	E36 M3 (1992-1999)	14	Mon, Aug-06-2007 10:12:58 PM
Power steering pump is leaking....check out pic!	king-rb	E46 M3 (2001-2006)	1	Fri, May-18-2007 02:50:54 AM