[LPM911]

I'm fairly certain my power steering just took a dump as I was parallel parking at home tonight. Whipped a u-ey in the street (left) and nosed into the spot I wanted and all of a sudden I saw smoke (front right) and then a bad burnt fluid smell. Couldn't just leave it in the middle of the street, so I backed it up, pulled forward, then parallel parked it in the spot. All the while it was quite difficult to turn the wheel. Lots of humming sounds while I was doing it. Keeping my fingers crossed I didn't damage anything too bad by doing that.

However, now I have no idea what to do next. I looked under the hood and everything is a bit hot, so going to let it cool down then head back out with the flashlight. I could see fluid trapped on the top side of the plastic undertray. Need to check the power steering reservoir to see if its bone dry.

Any suggestions on what to do here? Is it ok to limp it to the shop this way tomorrow? Or should I have it towed?

Off I go to search the BMW forums...

Thanks in advance for the help.

[smdubovsky]

noise + smoke + smell probably means a blown PS hose that puked fluid on the hot engine/exhaust. I wouldn't drive it as such as the pump relies on fluid to lubricate itself. The rack will be fine but it will kill the pump.

Could also be a torn belt but those usually dont generate smoke unless it tangled in something and tore a hose off.

[tdatk]

Originally Posted by smdubovsky

noise + smoke + smell probably means a blown PS hose that puked fluid on the hot engine/exhaust. I wouldn't drive it as such as the pump relies on fluid to lubricate itself. The rack will be fine but it will kill the pump.

Could also be a torn belt but those usually dont generate smoke unless it tangled in something and tore a hose off.

E46's have 2 belts, if it failed, no PS,Alt, = dash full of idiot lights. Sound like the rack as the pump and res are on the drivers side under the Air filter. Bummer.

edit 2 belts...just checked...

[smdubovsky]

I think the PS hoses on BMWs are problematic Every one of our E30 race cars leaked (I removed it in mine it pissed me off so much.) The E36 gts2 car leaked and I think Wongs E46 gts car leaked. So I've replaced my fair share of PS hoses on BMWs But we've never had one blow catastrophically.

They aren't hard to replace if you have a big set of wrenches. Just involves getting under the car and getting *(*&%* PS fluid all over yourself. Note: the E36 aftermarket 'trombone' line we got originally did NOT fit. And I can be persuasive w/ tools. Had to return it and get a factory line that was brazed together correctly.

[LPM911]

Taking another look with the flashlight, power steering reservoir is dry and fluid in the tray has a red tint, so got to be power steering fluid. Can't get under it right now to see where the system is broken, but the red fluid is in the tray on both sides when looking from above.

Sounds like driving it is out of the question, but what about loading it up on the trailer? Will moving it a short distance up on the trailer hurt it? I don't have a winch, but that will now be on the list of things to add...

[smdubovsky]

IMO, driving onto a trailer is fine. You could always put a tiny bit of PS fluid in to lube the gear pump if its bone dry before starting. PS pumps are typ positive displacement gear pumps (two intermeshing gears like an engine oil pump or roots supercharger.) Oil should cling to the gears long enough. The gears are surely super hardened to prevent wear and wont be under load w/o enough fluid anyway.

[kaefer]

Yep, sounds like a blown P$ line. I'm not familiar with the E46 but if it's similar to the E36 the fix should be fairly straightforward. On the E36 there are 2 P$ lines and they are both accessible from below. As far as DIY'ing:

1. Order the new BMW line$. Or look up fabbing your own using Napa hose and reusing the stock fittings and hose clamps. Both ways have their pros and cons.

2. Get a pair of Rhino Ramps and replace the line(s) where the car sits now. Or...

3. Drive your car onto your trailer backwards, leaving the front hanging off the back of the trailer, and do the repair on the trailer. Take proper precautions to stabilize the trailer. Or...

4. Bring the car out to my workshop and do it on the lift. Scheduling could be an issue. Or...

5. Take it to an indy for the repairs.

Honestly though if it's like an E36 (and I'm pretty sure it is) this should be a straightforward (but a bit messy) R&R. You may want to consider replacing the reservoir as well as there is a built in non-replaceable filter in there. When I did all the engine work on my car last year I replaced both lines and reservoir 'while I was in there'. I also added a Z3 rack but that doesn't pertain to your car... I think.

There is a possibility that the rack could have blown a seal, but I doubt it.

[Jase007]

Lane:

Helped a friend replace E46 323is PS lines (high pressure) & PS reservoir (built in filter)and PS Pump and it took an afternoon. Did the work in the driveway on a clear day ... jacked front of car up on ramps. Not a technically challenging job. Need large metric stubby wrenches for HP hose/loop that attaches to rack.

The issue with (non-M3) PS pumps is the shaft and pulley separate from pump. Once belt is off .. you can walk the shaft/pulley assembly right out the front of the pump. I do remember that the PS pump (non-M3) wasn't cheap (was a Pierburg maybe?) ... assume if you need a pump the price will be $$$. He got most of his parts from Autohausaz.com.

[Trak Ratt]

Originally Posted by Jase007

Need large metric stubby wrenches for HP hose/loop that attaches to rack.

I gotz a nice set of those if needed.

[LPM911]

Got under the car today (barely) and took of the undertray to take a peek. Undertray was full of fluid, surprised me to see how much came out. Looks to me like its just the high pressure line from the pump to the steering rack. Underside of the reservoir was dry. I'm guessing the steering rack is nice and wet due to its location to the line that I think is at fault. Belts seemed fine and so I think the pump is ok.

With the volume that came out, I'm still a little surprised I didn't see anything catastrophic. Seems like the entire PS reservoir wouldn't have just immediately come out a small leak. But perhaps the area is obscured from the angles I was able to look at.