MINI2

Mat-CooperS · Nov 15th, 2006, 09:46 AM

I know this is a common problem from reading many threads here, just need some help as to what to do.

Basically I've had my 03 MCS for a month now (34k on the clock). The PAS pump was quiet when I bought the car, however over the last week I've got the loud whinning noise when maneouvering the car at really slow speeds, and also at idle when I move the steering. I've checked the fluid level and its fine, should the resevoir be full?

The car is under warranty, do I just take it back to them, or is this nothing to be worried about?

My steering isn't heavy at all, its just the noise that worries me.

Many thanks.

TonyM · Nov 15th, 2006, 10:46 AM

This is entirely normal and is an integral part of the MINI's character

Mat-CooperS · Nov 15th, 2006, 10:58 AM

Thanks Tony, I've read a few more threads and I'm finding that this is just part of the Mini's character, so as long as its not a problem i'm

!

TonyM · Nov 15th, 2006, 12:52 PM

Enjoy your MINI

Lawrothegreat · Nov 15th, 2006, 06:59 PM

I like the sound!

matt the cat · Nov 17th, 2006, 10:29 PM

yeah its normal - however you say the noise has only just come about - so maybe its a different noise than normal. I'd take it in and get it looked at mate

mtc

xxxemma6xxx · Jun 13th, 2008, 09:05 PM

my mini makes a loud noise too, i was worried about it!

mab01uk · Jun 13th, 2008, 09:25 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by xxxemma6xxx (original)

my mini makes a loud noise too, i was worried about it!

Don't worry its normal, some MINI PS pumps are louder than others however.

xxxemma6xxx · Jun 25th, 2008, 01:03 PM

took it into the place i bought it for them too look at the noise for me, cause i thought it was getting louder............however they have said it's abit louder than it should be so there ordering me a new system and iv gotta go in to get it fitted sometime next week.

when i test drove it before i bought it i told them about it, and they said they'd have a look which they said they did and said it was fine.....they must of just wanted it done on the warranty......jammy F' rs

Richard Crofts · Jun 25th, 2008, 01:40 PM

Its normal for the MINI PAS to be far louder than most people expect.

However as its a new car to you, it will be difficult to tell if this is excessive noise. Virtually all those people who have had the PAS go on thier cars have noted excessive noise (above the already quite loud stock noise) for a few months or weeks before it gives up the ghost.

BMW will just say the noise is normal even if it is louder (and therefore means the pumps on the way out)... you need to get someone independant of the warrantee garage to confirm if it seems excessive when compared to other MINIs ... you need to find a garage that knows MINIs to do this though... It may be a suck it and see and hope that if it is more than normal that the thing stops before the warrantee does.

Chances are though its just the normal loud MINI PAS noise and you'll be fine, the reason you notice it is that its not normal compared to other brands of car. Its noticable more at low speeds as the engine and road noise does not drown it out, and the load on the pump is greater as the resistance against the tyre is increased at low speeds or at a stop.

xxxemma6xxx · Jun 25th, 2008, 01:47 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Richard Crofts (original)

Its normal for the MINI PAS to be far louder than most people expect.

However as its a new car to you, it will be difficult to tell if this is excessive noise. Virtually all those people who have had the PAS go on thier cars have noted excessive noise (above the already quite loud stock noise) for a few months or weeks before it gives up the ghost.

BMW will just say the noise is normal even if it is louder (and therefore means the pumps on the way out)... you need to get someone independant of the warrantee garage to confirm if it seems excessive when compared to other MINIs ... you need to find a garage that knows MINIs to do this though... It may be a suck it and see and hope that if it is more than normal that the thing stops before the warrantee does.

Chances are though its just the normal loud MINI PAS noise and you'll be fine, the reason you notice it is that its not normal compared to other brands of car. Its noticable more at low speeds as the engine and road noise does not drown it out, and the load on the pump is greater as the resistance against the tyre is increased at low speeds or at a stop.

i test drove another mini exactly the same as mines same year and everything and there was hardly a noise off it. i bought the car from BMW Mini.....Grassick in Perth, a mini dealer! they had a second look and decided it's louder than it should be so are replacing it. i quite like the noise, jut not so loud to the extend everyone turns around and stares at you...NO NOT CAUSE THEY ALL LOVE THE MINI....because the noise is so loud when manovering! a slight touch of the steerig wheel and its squeling!

mab01uk · Jun 25th, 2008, 10:42 PM

If they are replacing it for you free under warranty that is an excellent result for you as you should not have any PS pump worries for several years now.

Richard Crofts · Jun 26th, 2008, 10:07 AM

2 years warrantee on the PS pump

Niko · Jul 4th, 2008, 12:13 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Lawrothegreat (original)

I like the sound!

I agree. Call me crazy, but I love to stand outside the car and turn the wheel a little bit at idle to hear it and see the wheel turning. It looks like an RC car.

Nov 15th, 2006, 09:46 AM	#1
Mat-CooperS MINI2 Regular Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Manchester Local Time: 10:19 PM Posts: 174 Offline	Power Steering Query I know this is a common problem from reading many threads here, just need some help as to what to do. Basically I've had my 03 MCS for a month now (34k on the clock). The PAS pump was quiet when I bought the car, however over the last week I've got the loud whinning noise when maneouvering the car at really slow speeds, and also at idle when I move the steering. I've checked the fluid level and its fine, should the resevoir be full? The car is under warranty, do I just take it back to them, or is this nothing to be worried about? My steering isn't heavy at all, its just the noise that worries me. Many thanks.

Jun 13th, 2008, 09:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
xxxemma6xxx Mini_Me_Emma Join Date: May 2008 Location: Perth , Scotland Local Time: 10:19 PM Posts: 47 Offline	my mini makes a loud noise too, i was worried about it! Mini_Me_Emma

Jun 25th, 2008, 01:03 PM	#9 (permalink)
xxxemma6xxx Mini_Me_Emma Join Date: May 2008 Location: Perth , Scotland Local Time: 10:19 PM Posts: 47 Offline	took it into the place i bought it for them too look at the noise for me, cause i thought it was getting louder............however they have said it's abit louder than it should be so there ordering me a new system and iv gotta go in to get it fitted sometime next week. when i test drove it before i bought it i told them about it, and they said they'd have a look which they said they did and said it was fine.....they must of just wanted it done on the warranty......jammy F' rs Mini_Me_Emma

Jun 25th, 2008, 01:47 PM	#11 (permalink)
xxxemma6xxx Mini_Me_Emma Join Date: May 2008 Location: Perth , Scotland Local Time: 10:19 PM Posts: 47 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Richard Crofts (original) Its normal for the MINI PAS to be far louder than most people expect. However as its a new car to you, it will be difficult to tell if this is excessive noise. Virtually all those people who have had the PAS go on thier cars have noted excessive noise (above the already quite loud stock noise) for a few months or weeks before it gives up the ghost. BMW will just say the noise is normal even if it is louder (and therefore means the pumps on the way out)... you need to get someone independant of the warrantee garage to confirm if it seems excessive when compared to other MINIs ... you need to find a garage that knows MINIs to do this though... It may be a suck it and see and hope that if it is more than normal that the thing stops before the warrantee does. Chances are though its just the normal loud MINI PAS noise and you'll be fine, the reason you notice it is that its not normal compared to other brands of car. Its noticable more at low speeds as the engine and road noise does not drown it out, and the load on the pump is greater as the resistance against the tyre is increased at low speeds or at a stop. i test drove another mini exactly the same as mines same year and everything and there was hardly a noise off it. i bought the car from BMW Mini.....Grassick in Perth, a mini dealer! they had a second look and decided it's louder than it should be so are replacing it. i quite like the noise, jut not so loud to the extend everyone turns around and stares at you...NO NOT CAUSE THEY ALL LOVE THE MINI....because the noise is so loud when manovering! a slight touch of the steerig wheel and its squeling! Mini_Me_Emma

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Nov 15th, 2006, 10:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
TonyM MINI2 Master Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Stonehouse, Glos Local Time: 10:19 PM Posts: 1,026 Offline	This is entirely normal and is an integral part of the MINI's character

Nov 15th, 2006, 10:58 AM	#3 (permalink)
Mat-CooperS MINI2 Regular Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Manchester Local Time: 10:19 PM Posts: 174 Offline	Thanks Tony, I've read a few more threads and I'm finding that this is just part of the Mini's character, so as long as its not a problem i'm !

Nov 15th, 2006, 12:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
TonyM MINI2 Master Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Stonehouse, Glos Local Time: 10:19 PM Posts: 1,026 Offline	Enjoy your MINI

Nov 15th, 2006, 06:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
Lawrothegreat Mini Design Philosopher Join Date: May 2004 Location: Berkshire, UK Local Time: 10:19 PM Posts: 787 Offline	I like the sound!

Nov 17th, 2006, 10:29 PM	#6 (permalink)
matt the cat MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Oct 2006 Local Time: 10:19 PM Posts: 41 Offline	yeah its normal - however you say the noise has only just come about - so maybe its a different noise than normal. I'd take it in and get it looked at mate mtc

Jun 13th, 2008, 09:25 PM	#8 (permalink)
mab01uk MINI2 Senior Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London Local Time: 10:19 PM Posts: 655 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by xxxemma6xxx (original) my mini makes a loud noise too, i was worried about it! Don't worry its normal, some MINI PS pumps are louder than others however.

Jun 25th, 2008, 01:40 PM	#10 (permalink)
Richard Crofts THE STICK Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Worcestershire WR15 Local Time: 10:19 PM Posts: 3,095 Offline	Its normal for the MINI PAS to be far louder than most people expect. However as its a new car to you, it will be difficult to tell if this is excessive noise. Virtually all those people who have had the PAS go on thier cars have noted excessive noise (above the already quite loud stock noise) for a few months or weeks before it gives up the ghost. BMW will just say the noise is normal even if it is louder (and therefore means the pumps on the way out)... you need to get someone independant of the warrantee garage to confirm if it seems excessive when compared to other MINIs ... you need to find a garage that knows MINIs to do this though... It may be a suck it and see and hope that if it is more than normal that the thing stops before the warrantee does. Chances are though its just the normal loud MINI PAS noise and you'll be fine, the reason you notice it is that its not normal compared to other brands of car. Its noticable more at low speeds as the engine and road noise does not drown it out, and the load on the pump is greater as the resistance against the tyre is increased at low speeds or at a stop.

Jun 25th, 2008, 10:42 PM	#12 (permalink)
mab01uk MINI2 Senior Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London Local Time: 10:19 PM Posts: 655 Offline	If they are replacing it for you free under warranty that is an excellent result for you as you should not have any PS pump worries for several years now.

Jun 26th, 2008, 10:07 AM	#13 (permalink)
Richard Crofts THE STICK Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Worcestershire WR15 Local Time: 10:19 PM Posts: 3,095 Offline	2 years warrantee on the PS pump

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Jul 4th, 2008, 12:13 PM	#14 (permalink)
Niko mininoob Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New York \| Boston Local Time: 05:19 PM Posts: 4 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Lawrothegreat (original) I like the sound! I agree. Call me crazy, but I love to stand outside the car and turn the wheel a little bit at idle to hear it and see the wheel turning. It looks like an RC car.