Is my power steering pump on its way out?

Drifty// · 08-13-2012, 01:18 AM

After a couple minutes of flogging the car, a bit (not red-lining, though), I noticed a distinctly different tone on top of the engine noise. It was like an extra hum and it rose and fell with the engine revs (even when in neutral, so had nothing to do with the drivetrain or wheels).

After a while, the noise seemed to subside. But it sounded like maybe some auxiliary pump, as if power steering or brake assist might be on its way out. Are there any known issues with the alternators on these cars?

The oil was mostly up to temperature, before I started, but not quite. Maybe reaching full operating temperature is what caused the noise to subside.

The car is at about 36k miles. It has about 1.5 track days on it, though I was taking it easy. I normally drive it pretty gently, often short shifting, especially when the oil isn't up to temp.

Purple Derple · 08-13-2012, 11:09 AM

Could just be that the fluid is low. Happened to me before. Check the reservoir.

wuzupfoo · 08-24-2012, 01:22 PM

Im having a similar issue mine seems more prevalent during down reving but it may be because my exhaust is drowning out the noise on the upside. Also its been getting louder progressively over the last 3-6 months (I cant remember exactly when it started). Also it definitely seems to be more prevalent when its done when car is not a full operating temps. Though nowadays there is slight noise all the time which leads me to believe its the alternator but not sure. Never considered the steering pump but that could be the issue as well.

My car is in the body shop for vandalism repairs but its going straight to the dealer when I get it back to look into this.

I'll come back to this thread once I let them take a look at it.

wuzupfoo · 10-10-2012, 08:39 PM

yup power steering fluid was low... once I filled it went away. Gonna monitor it to see if it did damage to the pump when it was low but so far so good.. gl..

LiM3y · 10-16-2012, 08:06 AM

Just had this issue. There is no sensor in the PS fluid reservoir I just found out (this was a surprise, I swear I get a code from the AC unit just when I fart!), so I let my reservoir run really low. I got an intermittment high pitched whine between 1000-2000 rpm. With the full reservoir, the noise has gone away (so far). I also have a drip from my reservoir supply pump pipe which needs fixing too!

M3PO · 10-16-2012, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiM3y

Just had this issue. There is no sensor in the PS fluid reservoir I just found out (this was a surprise, I swear I get a code from the AC unit just when I fart!), so I let my reservoir run really low. I got an intermittment high pitched whine between 1000-2000 rpm. With the full reservoir, the noise has gone away (so far). I also have a drip from my reservoir supply pump pipe which needs fixing too!

I had this problem also. I don't track (yet) and I don't have any leaks (dealership pressure tested everything). I don't understand where the fluid goes. I've NEVER added PS fluid to a car before.

passing · 11-07-2012, 07:46 PM

having the same issue.. heard a noise a few weeks ago and didnt think anything of it until today. checked the res. and its low. ill add some CHF 11S and monitor...

no leaks. not sure where its going.

sensi09 · 11-07-2012, 08:23 PM

Had this and was caused from a leak. Was not aware of the leak until going to the dealer. Fluid was being caught by a "drain pan" so no fluid on the ground. Had the power steering pump replaced.

passing · 11-08-2012, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sensi09

Had this and was caused from a leak. Was not aware of the leak until going to the dealer. Fluid was being caught by a "drain pan" so no fluid on the ground. Had the power steering pump replaced.

im going to flip a shit if i have to replace my ps pump at 27k miles. and i am out of warranty by a few months.

e92zero · 11-08-2012, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sensi09

Had this and was caused from a leak. Was not aware of the leak until going to the dealer. Fluid was being caught by a "drain pan" so no fluid on the ground. Had the power steering pump replaced.

Where is this drain pan located? I would like to check mine just to be safe.

passing · 11-08-2012, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e92zero

Where is this drain pan located? I would like to check mine just to be safe.

just get underneath the car and remove the undertray. it will catch any falling fluid from the rack and or lines.

e92zero · 11-09-2012, 10:02 PM

^oh, you meant the re-enforcement plate when you said "drain pan", hahaha. stupid me. Thanks.

amaproracin · 11-09-2012, 11:00 PM

Me too! It Just was the fluid being low.....

MiamiE93Vert · 12-03-2012, 03:09 PM

Yep, just had this happen. Just out of warranty of course. I thought there would be a warning if low fluid was an issue before there was damage to the car; I need to replace the pump.

For future reference, how can you check if the levels are low?

passing · 12-03-2012, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiamiE93Vert

Yep, just had this happen. Just out of warranty of course. I thought there would be a warning if low fluid was an issue before there was damage to the car; I need to replace the pump.

For future reference, how can you check if the levels are low?

open the cap and check the level?

6spdg37s · 12-03-2012, 04:23 PM

my z06 was doing that and it turned out to be the alternator was fried , sparking and fluctuating the battery greatly..

warranty replacement !

MiamiE93Vert · 12-05-2012, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by passing

open the cap and check the level?

At the risk of sounding like a noob, is it that easy? I have not had a chance to check yet since the car is in the shop but when I get it back I will check for future reference. It will be a PITA to remember to check regularly, but I will do it to save another power steering pump replacement. I thought there would be a warning light or something like with the oil levels.

passing · 12-05-2012, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiamiE93Vert

At the risk of sounding like a noob, is it that easy? I have not had a chance to check yet since the car is in the shop but when I get it back I will check for future reference. It will be a PITA to remember to check regularly, but I will do it to save another power steering pump replacement. I thought there would be a warning light or something like with the oil levels.

you would think with the sophistication this car has it would provide a PS level indicator.

lower left, green ring around cap. CHF 11S ONLY.

RBB · 12-06-2012, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiamiE93Vert

Yep, just had this happen. Just out of warranty of course. I thought there would be a warning if low fluid was an issue before there was damage to the car; I need to replace the pump.

For future reference, how can you check if the levels are low?

I also had to recently top off my PS fluid. It was quite low and I was hearing some noise from the pump. Had it checked for leaks and all is well....not sure where it goes. You can easily check the level by removing the cap. It has a little dipstick attached to it with two lines. You're good to go if you're somewhere between the two lines. I topped off until I reached the top line and I've heard no more whine from the pump.

kiloil · 12-08-2012, 11:12 PM

Mine does the same thing and I only have 3k on the odometer.

passing · 12-10-2012, 04:28 PM

if you are low and have to refill, be sure to bleed the system by turning the wheel from lock to lock 4 or 5 times. recheck level once completed.

08-13-2012, 01:18 AM	#1
Drifty// Second Lieutenant Drives: A4 quattro 3.2 MT6; E92 6MT Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Boston Posts: 250 iTrader: (0)	Is my power steering pump on its way out? After a couple minutes of flogging the car, a bit (not red-lining, though), I noticed a distinctly different tone on top of the engine noise. It was like an extra hum and it rose and fell with the engine revs (even when in neutral, so had nothing to do with the drivetrain or wheels). After a while, the noise seemed to subside. But it sounded like maybe some auxiliary pump, as if power steering or brake assist might be on its way out. Are there any known issues with the alternators on these cars? The oil was mostly up to temperature, before I started, but not quite. Maybe reaching full operating temperature is what caused the noise to subside. The car is at about 36k miles. It has about 1.5 track days on it, though I was taking it easy. I normally drive it pretty gently, often short shifting, especially when the oil isn't up to temp. __________________ Last edited by Drifty//; 08-13-2012 at 01:23 AM.
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10-10-2012, 08:39 PM	#4
wuzupfoo Second Lieutenant Drives: 08 Jet Black MTrizz Cpe Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Mean streets of Irvine Posts: 277 iTrader: (2)	yup power steering fluid was low... once I filled it went away. Gonna monitor it to see if it did damage to the pump when it was low but so far so good.. gl.. __________________ HRE C20/Remus Race/MS Filter/Shaved Guides & E36 Bump Stops/Eibach springs/Vorsteiner Diffuser/JL Lip/Gloss Black Side & Front Grills/Pinnacle F1 Ceramic/ZCP Wing/Alcantara Wheel

10-16-2012, 08:06 AM	#5
LiM3y Major Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: CT Posts: 1,022 iTrader: (2)	Just had this issue. There is no sensor in the PS fluid reservoir I just found out (this was a surprise, I swear I get a code from the AC unit just when I fart!), so I let my reservoir run really low. I got an intermittment high pitched whine between 1000-2000 rpm. With the full reservoir, the noise has gone away (so far). I also have a drip from my reservoir supply pump pipe which needs fixing too! __________________

12-03-2012, 03:09 PM	#14
MiamiE93Vert Private First Class Drives: E93 M3 Convertible Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 199 iTrader: (0)	Yep, just had this happen. Just out of warranty of course. I thought there would be a warning if low fluid was an issue before there was damage to the car; I need to replace the pump. For future reference, how can you check if the levels are low? __________________ AA Pulley, Air Filter and Tune - Full Evolve Valvetronic Exhaust

12-08-2012, 11:12 PM	#20
kiloil Second Lieutenant Drives: 2013 E92 MT Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: USA Posts: 230 iTrader: (0)	Mine does the same thing and I only have 3k on the odometer. __________________ Fair Tax Supporter. 2009 E92 M3 MT (Gone) 2011 4 Runner Limited 4WD (Gone) 1996 4 Runner 4WD (Too sendimental to get rid of) 2013 E92 M3 MT (Current)

08-13-2012, 11:09 AM	#2
Purple Derple Second Lieutenant Drives: car Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: chair Posts: 270 iTrader: (0)	Could just be that the fluid is low. Happened to me before. Check the reservoir.

08-24-2012, 01:22 PM	#3
wuzupfoo Second Lieutenant Drives: 08 Jet Black MTrizz Cpe Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Mean streets of Irvine Posts: 277 iTrader: (2)	Im having a similar issue mine seems more prevalent during down reving but it may be because my exhaust is drowning out the noise on the upside. Also its been getting louder progressively over the last 3-6 months (I cant remember exactly when it started). Also it definitely seems to be more prevalent when its done when car is not a full operating temps. Though nowadays there is slight noise all the time which leads me to believe its the alternator but not sure. Never considered the steering pump but that could be the issue as well. My car is in the body shop for vandalism repairs but its going straight to the dealer when I get it back to look into this. I'll come back to this thread once I let them take a look at it.

11-07-2012, 07:46 PM	#7
passing hey Drives: caprice wagon Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: cruisin down the street in my '64 Posts: 325 iTrader: (4)	having the same issue.. heard a noise a few weeks ago and didnt think anything of it until today. checked the res. and its low. ill add some CHF 11S and monitor... no leaks. not sure where its going.

11-07-2012, 08:23 PM	#8
sensi09 Lieutenant Colonel Drives: . Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: socal Posts: 1,508 iTrader: (1)	Had this and was caused from a leak. Was not aware of the leak until going to the dealer. Fluid was being caught by a "drain pan" so no fluid on the ground. Had the power steering pump replaced.

11-09-2012, 10:02 PM	#12
e92zero First Lieutenant Drives: 2011 E92 BW Join Date: May 2010 Location: somewhere in US Posts: 357 iTrader: (0)	^oh, you meant the re-enforcement plate when you said "drain pan", hahaha. stupid me. Thanks.

11-09-2012, 11:00 PM	#13
amaproracin Second Lieutenant Drives: 09 E93 M3 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Delaware Posts: 214 iTrader: (0)	Me too! It Just was the fluid being low.....

12-03-2012, 04:23 PM	#16
6spdg37s Captain Drives: none Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: dirty jerz Posts: 738 iTrader: (2)	my z06 was doing that and it turned out to be the alternator was fried , sparking and fluctuating the battery greatly.. warranty replacement !

12-10-2012, 04:28 PM	#21
passing hey Drives: caprice wagon Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: cruisin down the street in my '64 Posts: 325 iTrader: (4)	if you are low and have to refill, be sure to bleed the system by turning the wheel from lock to lock 4 or 5 times. recheck level once completed.

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