Pentosin CHF 7.1 Discontinued - What else can I use?

[sweetride850]

Hi,
I have a 1990 850i. I took it out of its 6 month winter storage today and I have a significant groaning sound from the power steering and brakes. I checked the level and found it very low, in fact after pumping brakes with car shut down, it didn't even rise to the bottom of the screen. I understand the suggested fluid is no longer available. I'm not sure when it was last changed? I've had the car for only 1 year. What other options do I have for power steering fluid?

Thanks..
Lloyd

[Houseboater]

http://www.autobarn.net/ch252-0007.html

Or

http://www.blauparts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=G002000

[shogun]

Febi Bilstein has replacement for Pentosin CHF7.1 and another synthetic spec version for Pentosin CHF 11S. Known among the E32 drivers which have on the L version the LAD system with Pentosin too. Most of the online shops have Febi now and they always state which Pentosin it replaces, you can also mix that with the same spec. Pentosin. And the Febi hydraulic fluid is cheaper than Pentosin. But if you want you can also use Audi, Porsche etc fluid
Febi: Hydraulic fluid (synthetic) green 06161 >>>>>>>>81 22 9 407 758 BMW, 82 11 1 468 041 BMW = CHF 11S Pentosin
000 043 203 33 Porsche
G 004 000 M2 VW VW TL 52146
G 002 000 VW
1940 766 Opel B 0400070
93 160 548 Saab
09.11003.0427 MAN MAN M 3289

Febi Hydraulic fluid green 06162 >>>>>>>81 22 9 407 549 BMW (mineral) Equivalent of the discontinued Pentosin CHF 7.1

We discussed that last year already http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...n-7-1-NLA-!-!-!

[sweetride850]

Thanks for the responses. Very helpful.

[PabloRock]

It's an old thread, but just wanted confirmation that I got the right stuff. Was the cheapest I can find with shipping ($10.95 next day for 4 liters. They're in the same state I am, so I am assuming that's why). It just doesn't look like the same stuff (M 6162) like on Amazon. I have a small leak (that's on my repair list this spring), and ran through the last of my 7.1.

https://www.eeuroparts.com/Parts/381...-1-Liter-6162/

[Wuffer]

Thats what I have here for systems requiring CHF7.1

[legoman67]

Yep I also use the febi stuff. I have 3 cans of original 7.1 sitting in my basement that i dont want to open..lol

[CaifanSC]

.

It's an old thread, but just wanted confirmation that I got the right stuff. Was the cheapest I can find with shipping ($10.95 next day for 4 liters. They're in the same state I am, so I am assuming that's why). It just doesn't look like the same stuff (M 6162) like on Amazon. I have a small leak (that's on my repair list this spring), and ran through the last of my 7.1.

https://www.eeuroparts.com/Parts/381...-1-Liter-6162/

Is the Febi fluid completely compatible with the Pentosin 7.1? As in, you can mix them without having to drain and refill?

Yep I also use the febi stuff. I have 3 cans of original 7.1 sitting in my basement that i dont want to open..lol

I actually still have 5 quarts from the case with 6 that I bought a few years back when Amazon had that "quirk" and the case of pentosin was super cheap. If I would have known then I was going to get the CSi I would also have bought the case of the Pentosin 11.

[Sniff38]

. Is the Febi fluid completely compatible with the Pentosin 7.1? As in, you can mix them without having to drain and refill?

I also use the Febi 06162 mineral-based fluid (the green stuff) since my '92 calls for CHF 7.1. I did a lot of research on the subject and what I learned is the CHF 7.1 and 11S are not compatible (mixable) because one is mineral based (7.1) while the other is synthetic (11S). It would make sense if you currently have 7.1 in your system that you would be safe adding to it as long as it's mineral-based and has equivalent properties to 7.1. From what I understand, Febi's 06162 fluid meets that requirement.

What I also learned is the hydraulic systems in the older cars will work on 11S, but you need to do a COMPLETE flush of the old fluid. The hydraulic system in these cars is rather convoluted, so one needs to be thorough when swapping from one fluid to another.

Sean

[kiwiCSi]

I'm unsure if my CSi should have CHF 11S or the old 7.1 fluid.

CHF 11S is listed for AHK-equipped vehicles when searching under my VIN in RealOEM.

Is that correct, or were all E31's equipped with the mineral 7.1 hydraulic oil?

Can't seem to find any other other references for the specified fluid - unless it's hidden somewhere in the owners handbook.

[kiwiCSi]

Found the fluid spec in my owners handbook (page 86) and yes, it's CHF 11S.
Sorry, should have looked there before posting the question.

[cartoonz]

by '94, CHF 11 was the standard for all of them...

[kiwiCSi]

Thanks - bought myself a 1-litre can of CHF 11S.
However I can't see any info on how much to top off the CHF 11S reservoir, other than Owner's Handbook procedure which states that the MID will tell you if the fluid is low....but it does not advise on what level to fill it to - only giving a quantity to add until the MID message goes away.
I have no MID message, but fluid is not visible at the reservoir filter screen level - from past experience with similar systems I believe that fluid should be just visible at the filter screen level, but am holding back on doing this on the CSi, as I don't want to overfill it.
Anyone have a definitive level to fill the Pentosin tank to?
Cheers

[Timm]

Yes, engine OFF, pump the brake pedal 20 times or so, this returns the fluid to the reservoir, fill until the level is 10mm below the top. Some say so that it covers the gauze filter, but near the top is good enough....

[kiwiCSi]

Thanks for that Timm - had thought it might be a different method (or fluid level) for AHK-equipped cars, but sounds like a universal procedure across all models. Cheers!

[Johanswe]

How many liter pentosin dose the AHK require?

[kiwiCSi]

How many liter pentosin dose the AHK require?

Haven't been able to find this info, but as a last resort will check my owner's manual and hopefully let you know.
It's important to note however that it's not a separate system, so fluid top-up is just the same as for other models.

[Johanswe]

Ok, im about to order some Pentosin but dont know if 3liters is enough.

[dragon850]

Ok, im about to order some Pentosin but dont know if 3liters is enough.

2 liters is enough

[kiwiCSi]

Sorry for delay in replying - the owner's handbook has no info on fluid capacity, for either AHK or non-AHK systems.
Suggest you go with dragon850's recommendation and order 2 litres.

[PabloRock]

I forgot where I got them, but I ordered 3 because the shipping made it a much better deal than just 2 (and it's nice to have some laying around).

[kiwiCSi]

Good plan - always good to have a spare can for top-ups.

[Johanswe]

Ok thanks. Can someone explain how to bleed the AHK system? I changed all the hydraulic hoses in the rear + orings here and there.

[kiwiCSi]

Ok thanks. Can someone explain how to bleed the AHK system? I changed all the hydraulic hoses in the rear + orings here and there.

There's a vague reference to it in the E31 Repair Manual, which says you need to do the 'Hydraulic Load Test' to bleed air from the AHK.

[cartoonz]

Ok thanks. Can someone explain how to bleed the AHK system? I changed all the hydraulic hoses in the rear + orings here and there.

you run the load tests from DIS....