Whining from steering motor on 52 plate Cooper

[scooby657]

I have noticed a high pitched whining noise which comes from what I believe is the power steering motor. This is very noticable when the car is moving slowly and I turn the wheel either left or right. I initially thought the power steering fluid resevoir might be low, but the car was only serviced at 24k and only has 26k on it now.
Any ideas Guys?

[Shorty]

Quote: Originally Posted by scooby657

I have noticed a high pitched whining noise which comes from what I believe is the power steering motor. This is very noticable when the car is moving slowly and I turn the wheel either left or right. I initially thought the power steering fluid resevoir might be low, but the car was only serviced at 24k and only has 26k on it now.
Any ideas Guys?

Check out this thread

http://www.mini2.com/forum/first-generation-faults-fixes/49527-important-have-you-had-power-steering-pump-failure-please-vote-yes-no.html

[Root Ginger]

The whining noise is perfectly normal. All MINI's do it because of the electro-hydraulic system. There is a lack of room for adequate sound proofing without causing overheating.

Yes there have been power steering failures, as Shorty pointed out, but there is no whining noise associated with it as I have had it happen. A new power steering pump was fitted under warranty. Problem solved.

[baskers]

I picked up mine last Weds and noticed this sound last night... got me a little worry. My symptoms are a carbon copy of Scooby's. Hopefully this is a good sign, and shows that this is normal

[scooby657]

Thanks Guys,
I will be onto the dealership today and ask about a replacement power steering pump under warranty. I will let you know how I get on, and if this resolves the problem Baskers.

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by Root Ginger

The whining noise is perfectly normal. All MINI's do it because of the electro-hydraulic system. There is a lack of room for adequate sound proofing without causing overheating.

Yes there have been power steering failures, as Shorty pointed out, but there is no whining noise associated with it as I have had it happen. A new power steering pump was fitted under warranty. Problem solved.

Agreed.

[tshizzle]

mine is pretty loud too, everyone notices it and wonders what the heck it is

[tshizzle]

how loud is normal? i mean for example at nighttime when its pretty quiet around, even driving like 10-15 mph and turning (say leaving a parking lot for example), should you be able to hear the whining noise?

i mean its not obnoxious loud, but its loud enough that people inside and outside the car can easily hear it from a few feet away

[Hat]

i had the same issue on my 52 plate cooper - it got louder & louder until you could hear it in the cabin at normal driving speed. it finally started clunking at which point it took it to the dealer who organised an immediate replacement of the steering rack & declared it unsafe to use