DIY e92 M3 Power steering upgrade/Blow-by fix

[08 E92 Jerez Black]

I actually forgot I used a bit of plumbers white sealant on mine....i wouldn't use the tape.

[nholmes]

There have been reports of this still spitting out fluid on hot track days.

Has anyone else experienced this? I ran the car last Sunday in 100*F temps all day but didn't have any fluid leaks. I'm wondering if this is related to high G loading on super sticky tires.

[08 E92 Jerez Black]

With the mod? I havent seen a drip since i did this....the way it is set up it is wild be really difficult with the new unit...it wants to drain back into itself

[nholmes]

Originally Posted by 08 E92 Jerez Black

With the mod? I havent seen a drip since i did this....the way it is set up it is wild be really difficult with the new unit...it wants to drain back into itself

Oh, I thought it was just running the 1M reservoir itself?

I did something similar:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showpos...2&postcount=33

[Gcode]

I really appreciate the feedback. I noticed the white sealant on the pictures you posted.

Would you mind sharing info about the brand you used?

[08 E92 Jerez Black]

http://www.homedepot.com/p/RectorSea...5790/100144191

[okusa]

Originally Posted by nholmes

There have been reports of this still spitting out fluid on hot track days.

Has anyone else experienced this? I ran the car last Sunday in 100*F temps all day but didn't have any fluid leaks. I'm wondering if this is related to high G loading on super sticky tires.

I went to Big Willow after doing this "upgrade". After my first session I checked under the hood and noticed it leaking just as much as the OEM unit. Granted there was "high G loading" and I run TDs, but it was only 62 degrees out and I only ran 4 laps.

When I got home I switched the cap for the OEM vented cap and reinstalled my EAS overflow system. It still leaks a little but not as much as before.

[nholmes]

Originally Posted by okusa

I went to Big Willow after doing this "upgrade". After my first session I checked under the hood and noticed it leaking just as much as the OEM unit. Granted there was "high G loading" and I run TDs, but it was only 62 degrees out and I only ran 4 laps.

When I got home I switched the cap for the OEM vented cap and reinstalled my EAS overflow system. It still leaks a little but not as much as before.

I'll have to keep an eye on mine. What's the EAS overflow system?

[okusa]

Originally Posted by nholmes

I'll have to keep an eye on mine. What's the EAS overflow system?

This:

[nholmes]

Originally Posted by okusa

This:

Is that a one-off? I don't see it on their site.

[okusa]

Originally Posted by nholmes

Is that a one-off? I don't see it on their site.

They put a few together for their track guys but I don't think it's something they package and sell. It's a simple DIY though: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...=830878&page=3

[08 E92 Jerez Black]

Weird, I still haven't had a drop since i switched, any chance your overfilling the reservoir? I keep my in the middle between min and max on the new dipstick and i check it when its cold.

[08 E92 Jerez Black]

Also, there is a super thin o-ring on the new cap, I would make sure its intact and in place.

[The Father]

Good info. Recently bought my M3 and tracked it. Fluid everywhere!

Its an '08 so I was planning on starting with a new cap, figuring it was old.

[M3anRide]

I too found it stupid expensive for the larger reservoir and think the sweat band/sock idea is REALLY bad. I'm tired of the power steering fluid in my engine bay.

So, I just ordered the reservoir for a 1M. Thanks 08 E92 Jerez Black for the idea. An ordered the hose and reducer that Shredicus used. I ordered mine from wwwDOTracesteeringDOTcom it was cheaper shipping cost than the link Shredicus posted. The funny thing is the websites are identical to include their logo.

I will post pics once the parts come in and I install it.

[burnrbr]

OP, thanks for researching a cost effective OEM fix to the power steering fluid overflow issue.

I personally installed a new 1M power steering reservoir following your instructions to the "T". Afterwards, I experienced some power steering fluid leakage from the cap at the track and surprisingly after high RPM street driving. I also had a minor amount of fluid leak from the threads of the AN fitting. I investigated my 1M reservoir install looking for possible issues. I noticed with the engine running and the cap off the reservoir that there was a lot of turbulence in the power steering fluid.





It was at that point that I realized that the power steering hoses were hooked up to the wrong ports of the reservoir. BMW switched the top and bottom orientation of the feed and return ports. The larger of the two ports is the feed to the pump and the smaller one is the return from the rack/cooler.





With the return hose (which has pressure relative to the RPM of the engine and power steering pump) hooked up to the feed port (bottom port) of the 1m reservoir, the fluid is shot up at the cap. The cap has a tiny vent hole which allows some of the fluid to escape the reservoir. This situation is further exacerbated because BMW switched the fluid screen/filter from in front of the feed port to the return port so the fluid has an unobstructed shot at the cap when engine RPM increases. With the hoses hooked to the proper port, the screen acts a diffuser to the pressured return fluid. On a side note, now any new contaminants make their way to the pump before being caught in the screen.

Here is what the fluid should look like with the hoses installed on the correct reservoir port and the engine running:





Now, I have no fluid leakage at all. I also run a do88 power steering cooler to better manage track temps.

[Shredicus]

Well... That's interesting

[08 E92 Jerez Black]

Great catch!!! I would have never thought to check that

[bjf66]

Originally Posted by burnrbr

OP, thanks for researching a cost effective OEM fix to the power steering fluid overflow issue.

I personally installed a new 1M power steering reservoir following your instructions to the "T". Afterwards, I experienced some power steering fluid leakage from the cap at the track and surprisingly after high RPM street driving. I also had a minor amount of fluid leak from the threads of the AN fitting. I investigated my 1M reservoir install looking for possible issues. I noticed with the engine running and the cap off the reservoir that there was a lot of turbulence in the power steering fluid.

Attachment 1547534




It was at that point that I realized that the power steering hoses were hooked up to the wrong ports of the reservoir. BMW switched the top and bottom orientation of the feed and return ports. The larger of the two ports is the feed to the pump and the smaller one is the return from the rack/cooler.

Attachment 1547533



With the return hose (which has pressure relative to the RPM of the engine and power steering pump) hooked up to the feed port (bottom port) of the 1m reservoir, the fluid is shot up at the cap. The cap has a tiny vent hole which allows some of the fluid to escape the reservoir. This situation is further exacerbated because BMW switched the fluid screen/filter from in front of the feed port to the return port so the fluid has an unobstructed shot at the cap when engine RPM increases. With the hoses hooked to the proper port, the screen acts a diffuser to the pressured return fluid. On a side note, now any new contaminants make their way to the pump before being caught in the screen.

Here is what the fluid should look like with the hoses installed on the correct reservoir port and the engine running:

Attachment 1547535



Now, I have no fluid leakage at all. I also run a do88 power steering cooler to better manage track temps.

Can you clarify what I need to do to make it correct?

Is it basically using the AN adapter fitting on the other hole?

Are both inlet and outlet tubes on the E92 the same size?

[wyatth]

Anybody have the parts/tools/tricks to properly install the 1M reservoir? Someone was selling the PnP kit a while back but they are not responding to PMs. I'd like to throw the 1M reservoir in and trying to figure the DIY.

[burnrbr]

Originally Posted by Karura

Can you clarify what I need to do to make it correct?

Is it basically using the AN adapter fitting on the other hole?

Are both inlet and outlet tubes on the E92 the same size?

No, both ports are larger on the 1m reservoir. On both the 1m and E9X reservoirs the larger of the two ports is for the inlet of the pump and the smaller port is for the return from the pump. You need to have adapters for both stock hoses to connect to their respective port.

[wyatth]

Bumping this up, got the 1M reservoir and hoping to install it soon. Many of the links in this thread are down for the specific parts or now misdirect. Can someone confirm/link me to the required adapters, hoses, and clamps? Looks like it's just 2x 3/4->1/2'' barbed adapters, some CHF-resistant 1/2'' hose, and 4x small clamps?
Thanks!