Can a power steering pump fail on a Mini Cooper?
When it comes to Mini Cooper cars, one of the most commonly occurring problems that leads drivers to visit our garage is a failure in the power steering pump. In this article we’ll provide you with the basics so you can understand what causes these problems and how to know when your power steering pump might be failing.
Why does MY BMW Mini lose power steering?
On the BMW Mini’s it’s a common fault that the electric power steering pumps fail causing complete loss of power steering. It sometimes starts as an intermittent loss of power and progresses gradually. The reason behind it’s common failure is because the electric power steering pump stays on even when the vehicle is switched off.
Why is my power steering unit not working?
The reason behind it’s common failure is because the electric power steering pump stays on even when the vehicle is switched off. The unit drains battery power but also because it is continuously on, it eventually burns out the motor inside the pump as well as it’s controlling circuitry.
What to do if your power steering pump is overheating?
Try looping the pressure line back to the return on the pump and see if the fluid stops boiling. If it stops boiling then there could be a restriction in the power steering box. If you need further assistance diagnosing your vehicle, then seek out a professional, such as one from YourMechanic, to help you with your power steering pump.
When it comes to Mini Cooper cars, one of the most commonly occurring problems that leads drivers to visit our garage is a failure in the power steering pump. In this article we’ll provide you with the basics so you can understand what causes these problems and how to know when your power steering pump might be failing.
What causes a power steering pump to fail?
An auxiliary fan stationed just underneath the pump steers cooler air over the area where the pump is situated, but because it is too close to the ground, premature failure is not uncommon due to rocks or debris from the road that may strike. A principal part of the car that affects the power steering pump directly is the drive belt.
What kind of steering system does Mini have?
The engineers at MINI decided to come up with a completely different system. The system is a hybrid that includes electric and hydraulic steering, called Electro-Hydraulic Power Assisted Steering.
What kind of fluid is used in a mini power steering pump?
Reconnect the two electrical connectors going to the pump and re-install the power steering fan. The last step is to re-fill the reservoir with fluid and bleed it. MINI specifies the use of CHF-11S fluid ONLY. This fluid is available from Pelican Parts from and is specially formulated for use with electric power steering pumps.