[CooperS230]

Hi guys!

I'm new to this forum and was wondering if anyone could help me. For the past 3 days when I have started my car there has been no power steering for a few seconds os so. Today was the worst day as I also lost power steering momentarily about a 1/4 mile along the road after starting the car. Has anyone any suggestions as to what could be causing this? Is there a power steering resevoir to check the fluid level?

Many Thanks,
Steve..

[johnnyforeigner]

sorry, i can't help you, but i've also had a power steering failure today. on my mcs it's completely gone. also got a horrible burning plasticy sort of smell as well. i'm guessing i have a major leak and/or the pump failing. i don't get any high pitch whining sound of the pump working at all.

i only picked it from the dealer this morning as well.
>:-(

[Lizard King]

CooperS230 depending on your model it might be the fan underneat that is stuck or worse the pump might have burn out. I would get it check ASAP because the lost of power steering in a mini can cause the steering to lock and having your steering lock at 100km might not be so fun.

[Countrygent]

My 2004 Cooper S had a grinding noise when making slow turns - called my dealer service and they suspected on the phone it was the seals on the steering rack leaking - the resevoir was empty (the black bottle next to the white coolant res at the firewall - no leaks ever show because the fluid gets caught in the bellows/boots on the rack. Must be very common because the tech rep diagnosed on the phone immediately. Some folks have power steering fan failure - the fan is very vulnerable hanging near the pan under the car - if the fluid gets too hot it can boil out I'm told.