power steering pump

[325guy]

Got the car and it has ps fluid everywhere. Reservoir is empty and all the hoses are probably shot.

My question is this, how long could the empty pump go before it burns up ?

[witeshark]

Not very long.

[silversled]

what I would do is take/cut the belt off of the pump until you find the issue. The E30's aren't that difficult to drive with no power steering for guys anyway. Actually I prefer no power steering but the girl hates it and it is her car. Nevertheless, rather than burn the pump just disable it and go from there. Best of luck

[325guy]

I filled the resevoir to just see if it would work. It did even though it has been ran dry for 3 years. The only thing is that it leaks out the hoses, which need replaced but it is making a loud noise when I turn it either way. Do you think its the rack or the pump making the noise? Its hard to tell even laying under there with someone turning the wheel.....I would say the pump, would the rack even make a noise???

[marti5]

I would say its the pump too, racks dont make noises like the noise you are getting.