Check that power steering fluid

[NorthernDancer]

Coming up on 4 years old and only 36K miles. Power steering fluid was dirty gray; should be rosie red. I think Dack has also discovered this and added good pics. Must change soon.

[NYC6]

That should be covered under warranty. Make an appt and have them flush it.

[JHZR2]

Is the PSF in 1 series cars a dexIII type fluid or has it changed to an 11S or other type of hydraulic fluid?

[dtwyim]

Originally Posted by NoirthernDancer

Coming up on 4 years old and only 36K miles. Power steering fluid was dirty gray; should be rosie red. I think Dack has also discovered this and added good pics. Must change soon.

Did your dealer change it for you at no charge? I just got the final service where oil and filter, and brake fluid, and pollen filter done.

Originally Posted by NYC6

That should be covered under warranty. Make an appt and have them flush it.

I am not sure if that is covered under Canadian warranty. We do not get brakes covered up here like you guys, among other things. Unless you pay extra coverage for those items.

[sonicbimmer19]

Originally Posted by dtwyim

Did your dealer change it for you at no charge?

It isn't covered under warranty in the US either. They asked me if I wanted PSF flush for $300 and I just declined.

Fluids in today's cars pretty much last forever except engine oil. Some people will tell you you got to change power steering fluid, brake fluid, coolant, transmission fluid, and they are not wrong, but you don't ever have to really change them. All I'm saying is it is not necessary, in case someone took offense

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted by sonicbimmer19

It isn't covered under warranty in the US either. They asked me if I wanted PSF flush for $300 and I just declined.

Fluids in today's cars pretty much last forever except engine oil. Some people will tell you you got to change power steering fluid, brake fluid, coolant, transmission fluid, and they are not wrong, but you don't ever have to really change them. All I'm saying is it is not necessary, in case someone took offense

Brake fluid has not changed in forever. It remains a hygroscopic fluid, and it has a reduced boiling point as it gets wet. The corrosion due to water content also decreases lifetime of brake components.

All fluids do indeed have a lifetime, even if the design life is often 60-100k miles. For those of us who keep our cars like new nearly forever, one often must consider these fluids when a relatively young life point like 100k comes around. So it is necessary at some point

But brake fluid amongst the ones you have listed does absolutely have a need to be replaced. I believe BMW recommends 2 years.

[dtwyim]

Originally Posted by JHZR2

But brake fluid amongst the ones you have listed does absolutely have a need to be replaced. I believe BMW recommends 2 years.

+1

I got mine changed free twice in 4 years.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by NoirthernDancer

Coming up on 4 years old and only 36K miles. Power steering fluid was dirty gray; should be rosie red. I think Dack has also discovered this and added good pics. Must change soon.

Are you sure new PS fluid is red ?

I recently had to add some PS fluid to my old e39... and it was dark grey IF I remember right. The fluid was from Pentosin. You always want to replace the PS resivior bc it has a non replaceable filter built into its base. Also use some sand paper to smooth out the poor plastic castings on the new res and use NEW hose clamps.

BavAuto has put together this nice DIY video on how to change one's (on a e39!) PS fluid.

[NorthernDancer]

OK what color is CHF 11S? Anybody? Grab a kleenex and open up your power steering resevoir and put a few drops on the kleenex. What color is it?

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by NoirthernDancer

OK what color is CHF 11S? Anybody? Grab a kleenex and open up your power steering resevoir and put a few drops on the kleenex. What color is it?

Pentosin CHF 11 S = light to medium green


http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=847126

[romak47]

im confused, whats the concensus on power fluid type for our wonderful e82's ??
Gonna flush my fluid here myself soon.

Where can we get a new reservoir from? And the filter is build into it?

reservoir part # 32416851218

[Sindarin]

Originally Posted by romak47

im confused, whats the concensus on power fluid type for our wonderful e82's ??

Read the reservoir cap.

All E8x and E9x I've seen have been CHF-11S.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by JHZR2

Brake fluid has not changed in forever. It remains a hygroscopic fluid, and it has a reduced boiling point as it gets wet. The corrosion due to water content also decreases lifetime of brake components.

All fluids do indeed have a lifetime, even if the design life is often 60-100k miles. For those of us who keep our cars like new nearly forever, one often must consider these fluids when a relatively young life point like 100k comes around. So it is necessary at some point

But brake fluid amongst the ones you have listed does absolutely have a need to be replaced. I believe BMW recommends 2 years.

I'm with you on that.
Brake fluid every 2 years whether BMW does it free or you have to do it yourself.
It's really easy to change it, especially with "speed bleeders". I love those things. It eliminates the need for pump, hold, turn bleeder, tighten bleeder, pump, etc... All you do is pump and have someone to keep filling the reservoir.

Another often overlooked fluid is engine coolant.
No more than 3 years and it should be changed, imo.

PS fluid is one that should last quite a while.
36K miles seems awfully low.
Dack says it's light to medium green. Perhaps the OP is color deficient and it looks gray to him?
OP, have you taken a sample and put it on white paper to get a better look?

[NorthernDancer]

OK I finally took a little bit out and onto a piece of white paper. It looked clean and light green. Therefore I stand corrected in that my PS fluid is not that dirty. Since its seems very clean, the filter in the resevoir is most likely pretty clean too. And again therefore I will try and buy a quart/litre of the proper fluid and do the simple from the top fluid change. Thanks all for your comments esp Dack who put me on the right path to proper color.

[KingOfJericho]

I've been thinking of changing my fluid since day 1 as our cars have the loudest power steering in the history of motor vehicles. Then I realized that my car is a lease and will be going back in 2 months (probably for a 135is).

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by romak47

im confused, whats the concensus on power fluid type for our wonderful e82's ??
Gonna flush my fluid here myself soon.

Where can we get a new reservoir from? And the filter is build into it?

reservoir part # 32416851218

You can buy a new reservoir from any BMW dealer. Yes, the filter is built into the base of the reservoir.

When you get your new reservoir - take some sand paper and sand down the rough casting where the PS hoses slip onto. The reservoir housing is made from "two halves" and they never get glued together correctly - who ever makes them for BMW. ZF in the East???

Most oil leaks from the PS reservoir are where those hoses attach(at the bottom) or from the O-ring on the inside of the reservoir 's cap.


Dack

[BuddhaPilot]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

I've been thinking of changing my fluid since day 1 as our cars have the loudest power steering in the history of motor vehicles. Then I realized that my car is a lease and will be going back in 2 months (probably for a 135is).

I was wondering if it was just me. They're supposed to check mine out when it goes in for service next week. Mine seems to complain every time I move the wheel and literally screams like a banshee at lower speeds.