Right, so my 1995 740iL has a problem with the steering. It has done 153000 miles. I was an idiot when I bought it and took it on without any service history or paperwork, other than registration and road worthy certificates
The night I got it, it drove fine. I drove for about 40 miles and stopped for petrol. I heard the most awful noise when steering. When I checked, there was no Power Steering (p/s) fluid. The petrol station didn't have any. So, I drove another 12 highway miles to another station - again no p/s fluid. After ANOTHER 12 highway miles, I got 'gear oil'. It was the closest thing to p/s fluid, so I put it in. That lasted a week.
Today, we went for a 20 mile, relaxed drive. When I got home, I smelled p/s fluid, but since I don't yet know the car I didn't bother looking. I also had to take my baby out of the car.
This evening, I went to the shop. I heard the pump make a noise again and poured proper p/s fluid in. I filled the reservoir. After 3 miles, I stopped at the shop to discover the reservoir was empty and dry!
Right, so what is the issue? Do I have a leaking pipe (I hope), is the PUMP broken or is it like my mechanig friend suggested, most likely the steering rack that is shot?
The night I got it, it drove fine. I drove for about 40 miles and stopped for petrol. I heard the most awful noise when steering. When I checked, there was no Power Steering (p/s) fluid. The petrol station didn't have any. So, I drove another 12 highway miles to another station - again no p/s fluid. After ANOTHER 12 highway miles, I got 'gear oil'. It was the closest thing to p/s fluid, so I put it in. That lasted a week.
Today, we went for a 20 mile, relaxed drive. When I got home, I smelled p/s fluid, but since I don't yet know the car I didn't bother looking. I also had to take my baby out of the car.
This evening, I went to the shop. I heard the pump make a noise again and poured proper p/s fluid in. I filled the reservoir. After 3 miles, I stopped at the shop to discover the reservoir was empty and dry!
Right, so what is the issue? Do I have a leaking pipe (I hope), is the PUMP broken or is it like my mechanig friend suggested, most likely the steering rack that is shot?