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Thread: Power Steering fluid - ATF/CHF 11S? 2005 325i

  1. #1
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    Question Power Steering fluid - ATF/CHF 11S? 2005 325i

    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?
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  2. #2
    dworthy's Avatar
    dworthy is offline Wagon meister :) BMW Tech Expert
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    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.
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  3. #3
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    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.

  4. #4
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    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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