I know there have been several threads about power steering an everything involving the issue but believe it or no thread says exactly what the steering fluid level should be. so.... whats the right level??:impatient

 

On the bottom of the cap is a dipstick. The level should be no higher than the uppermost mark when hot (about 3/4 inch or so from the top of the rim).

 

thanks for the reply, what should be the minimum?

 

I would think at the lowest level on the stick. Basically you want enough in the reservoir that there will not be any air drawn into the system. If your fluid is disappearing but not visibly leaking there is a chance it is leaking into the steering rack boots. Also, do not use common power steering fluid. The MINI takes a synthetic fluid called Pentosin CHF 11S.

 

Hi, where's the reservoir located? I couldn't find it in the owner's manual and no Bentley's available for the 2005 yet. Thanks.

 

Look under the hood. You'll find it. I believe the hood latch location & res.locations are both in the owners manual which you have already located.

 

The steering fluid reservoir is next to the coolant tank, mounted to the firewall behind the engine. It's all black, with a star-shaped screw-on cap.

 

Namwob,

EHHH wrong! I know how to open the hood and the power steering reservoir location is NOT in the 2005 Owner's Manual.

Thanks for your help Greatbear.

 

If in doubt, the power steering reservoir should say "CHF 11S" on the star shaped cap. Hope that helps someone.

 

Hello everybody. I'm a newbie here, and going to change steering fluid on my mini cooper. Does anybody know how much quantity of it I need to buy. I'd appriciate you info on the matter. Joe.

 

You will use less than a full can, CHF-11S can be found cheaper than dealership at NAPA, ~$20 OTD for a can.

 

Thank you wrh3. As far as I uderstood you it goes in retail sale in cans with capacity of 1 quart? They don't have this fluid brand at local Napa stores in Gainesville, Fl.
P. S. Actually it's my daughter's manual transmission mini cooper. She asked me to help her. Its steering pump went to deep south. I'm gonna disassamble it and try to clean it and whatnot.

 

Yes, retail package is can of 1 quart.

Your local NAPA may be able to order it for you since it is a catalog item and have it in a day or two: http://www.napaonline.com/Search/Det...11S_0058582551

I have also seen it at Car Quest and Oreilly Auto Parts for a little more, call around to some of the local McParts stores.

 

wrh3, I appreciate your courtesy. Best wishes.

 

I have a 2004 MC and the PS pump reservoir is NOT in my manual either! In fact, the manual doesn't say anything how to check/fill PS fluid. Never even mentions it. Unreal. I checked mine (first time, bought used in Feb. 2010) and since I had a big pool of oiling spillage on my driveway yesterday (and can't figure out where it's coming from) and since the PS is making horrible grinding noise, GUESS WHAT: the reservoir is totally empty. I'm off to buy some fluid.

Thanks.

 

Just got mine back. Hose Clamp (part #3211113134) at pump on hose leading from reservoir was loose. Mechanic cut clamp and replaced with new hose clamp. Tightened, cleaned, all done. Steering nice and smooth again. $75.00 labor. Plus the $20 I paid to buy the CHF 11S fluid.
Hope this helps others.

 

Today I took off the faulty steering pump from my daughter's Mini.
I wander if anybody in here tried to repair- remanufacture the culprit.
Best regards, Joe.

 

Found this DIY that shows the cleaning and refurb of the pump. Good luck.

 

Buzzsaw, it's really swell of you. Now, I'm gonna dive into it. Many thanks. Joe.

 

You are most welcome. Hope that link is helpful.

 

Before you have it rebuilt (if you diy it no loss if it does not work, except for the time and maybe a few $$), consider the failure mode...how it failed.
If it was stuck on...the electronic have failed...new is really the main option...
If it cuts in and out, then a cleaning and maybe new brushes may help...
Rebuilders can replace the hydraulic pump, but the motor (if it cuts in and out, the windings may be shorting out) is not rebuilt, and the computer/circurit board is not changed...just cleaned.
So if your rebuilding/cleaning does not work, IMO new is the only real option.

 

Many thanks guys. We'll go inside and see where it takes us. Happy Cristmas everybody. I'll keep you posted.
P. S. So far, these pump star key screws, they're very stubborn, I screwd up one of them all around, so I grooved it with a saw, and used a regular screwdriver to unscrew it. Really not much of experience of this kind. Joe.

 

Well I got to the brushes today. Used 3-jaw puller set to pull off upper motor cover with inserted bearing in it. Commutator or, Collector, whatever you call it is pretty much worn out, has deep grooves in it, brushes look like there is still some life into them, even though they are half worn out. Bearings look fine, like for another 30-50 thou miles to run. But then again, who knows...
I tried to get to the electronics stuff, which as people say located under brush plastic basis, unscrewed 4 tiny screws, but something is holding it adhered to the motor cover, can't lift it up, afraid to act with a blind force, gonna brake it. Now very upper part where the pump itself located is so far not disassembled by me. Its plastic cover sits very snugly on the metalic body, once again don't know how to take it apart. All in all, machining the collector doesn't seem to me to solve the problem. Being completely in dark about the pump itself and electronics doesn't seem like to get the pump fixed to work on the collector alone and with all that probably a better idea to buy a completely new one. We'll think it through. Joe.

 

Hello I just own a 2008 S Mini, I'm looking for the location of the steering fluid....I just look under the hood but i did't find the cap....please help me anyone.

 

This might help you out: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-steering.html