Years ago I had an issue with my Power Steering locking up. My local shop (I'm 100 miles from a dealership) flushed the system and filled it with ATF. It's been fine up until recently. It started groaning. I had the reservoir, fluid and lines changed. There were no markings on the reservoir cap so I called BMW and they said that according to my vin, I should use CHF 11S. Now the power steering is making even more noise but I have not experienced any physical steering issues.
Should I swap back to ATF? It seemed to work better. Is my pump fried from years with the wrong fluid?
Proud owner of a haunted, 92 year old Craftsman Bungalow.
Fastest Caulk Gun Slinger in the south (November-February).
I'm not brilliant or beautiful ...but I'm handy.
There were several different fills during the years where they bounced back and forth, why I don't know.
The only correct answer is to look at the power steering reservoir cap. It will say ATF or CH-11.
Darin
Current:
16 220i Active Tourer Platinsilver MET (C08)/Dakota Black (PDSW), P7ACA, P7LDA, P7LHA, P9BDA, 6sp Manual - Wife's new toy!
05 325it Electric Red(438)/Gray(N6TT) ZCW, ZSP 5sp Manual Back set cover, trunk mat, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield, and mud flaps! Mr. Wagon My new Winter car.
05 M3 Imolarot II(405)/Gray(N5TT) ZCW, ZPP 6sp Manual C.F. Lip, CSL diffuser, SSK, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield and a trunk liner! Mr. Go_Fast Stored for the Winter
Past:
95 318is Montreal Blue Met (297)/Beige(K1SN) RIP, killed by an Idiot.
84 M535i gray market Burgandy Rot Met/Black Leather Lowered by Intrax on bilies, poly everywhere, B&B cat back system, K&N, and a hitch! Da Beast - Still running w/400k+!
91 316i euro Tizianrot/Gray cloth - E-36 w/M-40 RIP, but great on gas! Best was 38 MPG
82 528i euro Saphire Blue Met/Blue Leather RIP
79 525 euro Green/Green RIP
79 318 Silver/Black - The first one that got it all started
M-Flight Member
Thank you for the reply but unfortunately the original cap was not marked. I've since changed the reservoir and tried the CHF 11S that BMW recommended but the problem is now worse.
Proud owner of a haunted, 92 year old Craftsman Bungalow.
Fastest Caulk Gun Slinger in the south (November-February).
I'm not brilliant or beautiful ...but I'm handy.
All E46 power steering systems use Dexron3 fluid. The confusion arises from the label on the reservoir cap. The reservoir and cap are made by ZF, a major transportation equipment manufacturer. The reservoir was installed in a variety of bimmer series. The power steering system in some series used the more exoctic fluid.
Your power steering pump may be toast.
Last edited by MarcoZandrini; 08-06-2018 at 08:47 AM.
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