Power steering fluid overflow during track conditions?

Algol · 07-08-2009, 11:38 AM

Im not exactly if it IS the power steering resivour but at road atlanta in June I got informed the track officials thought I had smoke coming from my car. I pop the hood and sure enough ive got fluid on the drivers side of the engine bay.

The culprit is the resivour on the drivers side toward the headlight... it has a label on it that reads 'CHP 11?. I check the level and its quite high but when the car cools down it gets pretty low. I THINK it might be the power steering resivour but could it be boiling over? Didnt experience any problems with handling on the track and ive got no warnings. This problem only occurs on the track after four or so laps and does not reappear on the street. I thought it might be overfilled from the factory but the level gets pretty low when cold.

Anyone else experiencing something like this?

Oakleyguy · 07-08-2009, 12:55 PM

From what I understand, a few people have experienced the same issue with the e92 M3s. I take it that the Power steering cooler is unable to keep up the amount of heat generated during hard track sessions. Did you experience any change of feel in the steering itself?

If so, you might start researching into an upgraded Powersteering fluid cooler, if available.

Goodluck

scorcherjf · 07-08-2009, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longshoe

Im not exactly if it IS the power steering resivour but at road atlanta in June I got informed the track officials thought I had smoke coming from my car. I pop the hood and sure enough ive got fluid on the drivers side of the engine bay.

The culprit is the resivour on the drivers side toward the headlight... it has a label on it that reads 'CHP 11?. I check the level and its quite high but when the car cools down it gets pretty low. I THINK it might be the power steering resivour but could it be boiling over? Didnt experience any problems with handling on the track and ive got no warnings. This problem only occurs on the track after four or so laps and does not reappear on the street. I thought it might be overfilled from the factory but the level gets pretty low when cold.

Anyone else experiencing something like this?

I had something similar at Sebring on a very hot day, but not as serious as you. After the 2nd session I popped the hood and noticed there was liquid residue around the engine, originating from the power steering fluid cap. My buddy with an E92 M3 had a lot more spilled all over his engine so it does seem to be a problem. Mine wasn't smoking or anything so I haven't done anything to try and fix it yet. My next track weekend at Homestead didn't have any problems with it, though...

Let me know if you find a solution because I'm not sure if it's an isolated incident or a real problem. I haven't seen anything about it from some of the 135i racers on the forum.

pkcormier · 07-08-2009, 03:59 PM

I have the same problem when I track my car. Not a big deal. I take a paper towel and a rubber band and wrap the cap. The paper towel absorbs the liquid and prevents the splatter.

Algol · 07-10-2009, 10:56 AM

I honestly cant remember if I felt a change in steering behavior-- im usually pretty good at noticing changes of behavior in my cars but this was my first track day. I probably wasnt paying enough attention or the difference was too minute for me to notice. I wasnt aware our cars had power steering coolers... if we do, where is it located?

There is a pretty good amount that leaks during each session I didnt notice it at the beginning of the day but as it got hotter outside the leaking did get worse. Do higher temp power steering fluids exist like brake fluids ?

Raflekt · 07-10-2009, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scorcherjf

I had something similar at Sebring on a very hot day, but not as serious as you. After the 2nd session I popped the hood and noticed there was liquid residue around the engine, originating from the power steering fluid cap. My buddy with an E92 M3 had a lot more spilled all over his engine so it does seem to be a problem. Mine wasn't smoking or anything so I haven't done anything to try and fix it yet. My next track weekend at Homestead didn't have any problems with it, though...

Let me know if you find a solution because I'm not sure if it's an isolated incident or a real problem. I haven't seen anything about it from some of the 135i racers on the forum.

I got the same issue , but I didnt feel any change in the steering behaviour

Wolfpack · 07-11-2009, 05:50 PM

Pretty common with all tracked BMW's. I have experienced it for better than 10 years on all cars I and friends have driven hard. No issues other than a bit of clean up every so often. Just check the level on occation and you will be fine.

ssabripo · 07-12-2009, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfpack

Pretty common with all tracked BMW's. I have experienced it for better than 10 years on all cars I and friends have driven hard. No issues other than a bit of clean up every so often. Just check the level on occation and you will be fine.

+1

just clean up after each break, and check levels after each session.

Evolution Racewerks · 07-14-2009, 06:14 PM

We've never had that issue before. We've raced for long periods of time in 100+ weather. Factory power steer fluid. Never touched it.

Are you guys racing on tight tracks where you would be at full lock on the steering wheel?

ssabripo · 07-15-2009, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evolution Racewerks

We've never had that issue before. We've raced for long periods of time in 100+ weather. Factory power steer fluid. Never touched it.

Are you guys racing on tight tracks where you would be at full lock on the steering wheel?

yes. It is even more prevalent in Autox competitions where there are many full turn quick turns in a small period of time.

Algol · 07-17-2009, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evolution Racewerks

We've never had that issue before. We've raced for long periods of time in 100+ weather. Factory power steer fluid. Never touched it.

Are you guys racing on tight tracks where you would be at full lock on the steering wheel?

I was at Road Atlanta and experienced this issue... I wouldnt call that track 'tight'.

larryn · 07-17-2009, 09:48 AM

I've had it happen on most BMWs I've autoxed and tracked (NHMS, Watkins Glen, Mt Tremblant, etc.). It's never enough to affect steering though.. Just a little messy.

Addict...Nah Im A Junkie! · 07-18-2009, 09:22 AM

Yeah, happened at an HPDE at poconos yesterday.

Evolution Racewerks · 07-22-2009, 02:38 PM

How much does it overflow? Reservoir is right in front of the driver's side wheel. If enough overflowed, it might be a problem if it got on the tire.

larryn · 07-22-2009, 03:07 PM

It's nothing major, just little spits of fluid.. enough to make it look a little messy and cause you to think "What am I leaking?".

Algol · 07-22-2009, 03:11 PM

Same here its not overfilled as the level gets low when its cooled down but very high right after a session.

Evolution Racewerks · 07-24-2009, 02:59 PM

Took a look at our car just in case I was mistaken. No fluid. Just have a thin layer of oil everywhere in the engine bay(don't ask).

Maybe a cooler for the power steering. Won't be difficult to do. Just tap into the low pressure side. Most OEM cars just have a metal line running across the front. I've never bothered to look where it's at on the 135i. Never had a problem nor did it get in the way of anything.

Quote:

Originally Posted by larryn

It's nothing major, just little spits of fluid.. enough to make it look a little messy and cause you to think "What am I leaking?".

07-08-2009, 11:38 AM	#1
Algol Private 11 Rep 94 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: ATL iTrader: (0)	Power steering fluid overflow during track conditions? Im not exactly if it IS the power steering resivour but at road atlanta in June I got informed the track officials thought I had smoke coming from my car. I pop the hood and sure enough ive got fluid on the drivers side of the engine bay. The culprit is the resivour on the drivers side toward the headlight... it has a label on it that reads 'CHP 11?. I check the level and its quite high but when the car cools down it gets pretty low. I THINK it might be the power steering resivour but could it be boiling over? Didnt experience any problems with handling on the track and ive got no warnings. This problem only occurs on the track after four or so laps and does not reappear on the street. I thought it might be overfilled from the factory but the level gets pretty low when cold. Anyone else experiencing something like this?
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07-08-2009, 12:55 PM	#2
Oakleyguy Resident Engineer 135 Rep 748 Posts Drives: Land Cruiser Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Denver, CO / Tulsa, OK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 Toyota URJ200 [0.00] 2017 BMW M2 [0.00] 2015 BMW M4 [10.00] 2005 Toyota UZJ100 [0.00]	From what I understand, a few people have experienced the same issue with the e92 M3s. I take it that the Power steering cooler is unable to keep up the amount of heat generated during hard track sessions. Did you experience any change of feel in the steering itself? If so, you might start researching into an upgraded Powersteering fluid cooler, if available. Goodluck
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07-08-2009, 03:59 PM	#4
pkcormier Private First Class 15 Rep 189 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0)	I have the same problem when I track my car. Not a big deal. I take a paper towel and a rubber band and wrap the cap. The paper towel absorbs the liquid and prevents the splatter.
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07-10-2009, 10:56 AM	#5
Algol Private 11 Rep 94 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: ATL iTrader: (0)	I honestly cant remember if I felt a change in steering behavior-- im usually pretty good at noticing changes of behavior in my cars but this was my first track day. I probably wasnt paying enough attention or the difference was too minute for me to notice. I wasnt aware our cars had power steering coolers... if we do, where is it located? There is a pretty good amount that leaks during each session I didnt notice it at the beginning of the day but as it got hotter outside the leaking did get worse. Do higher temp power steering fluids exist like brake fluids ?
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07-11-2009, 05:50 PM	#7
Wolfpack Private First Class 1 Rep 199 Posts Drives: Everything in my garage Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Iowa iTrader: (0) Garage List 1999 Mercedes ML320 [0.00] 2006 MINI Cooper S [0.00] 1997 Mazda Miata [0.00] 2011 BMW 1M [0.00] 2002 BMW 330 Ci [0.00]	Pretty common with all tracked BMW's. I have experienced it for better than 10 years on all cars I and friends have driven hard. No issues other than a bit of clean up every so often. Just check the level on occation and you will be fine. __________________ Wherever you go...there you are.
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07-14-2009, 06:14 PM	#9
Evolution Racewerks Captain 140 Rep 863 Posts Drives: 20 M340i,15 M4,12 328i,08 135i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Azusa, CA iTrader: (3)	We've never had that issue before. We've raced for long periods of time in 100+ weather. Factory power steer fluid. Never touched it. Are you guys racing on tight tracks where you would be at full lock on the steering wheel?
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07-17-2009, 09:48 AM	#12
larryn Lieutenant General 2146 Rep 10,176 Posts Drives: '97 332ti, '21 X5 45e, '16 GT4 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Seattle iTrader: (2)	I've had it happen on most BMWs I've autoxed and tracked (NHMS, Watkins Glen, Mt Tremblant, etc.). It's never enough to affect steering though.. Just a little messy.
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07-18-2009, 09:22 AM	#13
Addict...Nah Im A Junkie! Captain 34 Rep 786 Posts Drives: 09 135i, 98 M rdstr Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Yeah, happened at an HPDE at poconos yesterday. __________________ '09 135i 6MT : Space Grey/Black ette : Cold Weather Package : Sport Package : Glacier Silver Aluminum Trim : iPod and USB : Nav : HD radio : Premium hi-fi system
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07-22-2009, 02:38 PM	#14
Evolution Racewerks Captain 140 Rep 863 Posts Drives: 20 M340i,15 M4,12 328i,08 135i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Azusa, CA iTrader: (3)	How much does it overflow? Reservoir is right in front of the driver's side wheel. If enough overflowed, it might be a problem if it got on the tire.
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07-22-2009, 03:07 PM	#15
larryn Lieutenant General 2146 Rep 10,176 Posts Drives: '97 332ti, '21 X5 45e, '16 GT4 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Seattle iTrader: (2)	It's nothing major, just little spits of fluid.. enough to make it look a little messy and cause you to think "What am I leaking?".
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07-22-2009, 03:11 PM	#16
Algol Private 11 Rep 94 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: ATL iTrader: (0)	Same here its not overfilled as the level gets low when its cooled down but very high right after a session.
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