Power steering Pump

[indigorallye]

Is anyone elses power steering pump really loud? It's the loudest pump I have ever heard and it's almost embarassing? Any ideas?

[monsta]

Hi! Yeah, afraid they all do that...

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...&threadid=4729

[indigorallye]

Cheers mate, that was quick. Only gripe now is the ripped seat where the stitching has come away!

[AidenL]

I really like the steering noise.......

[potts]

Quote:

Originally posted by AidenL
I really like the steering noise.......

Me too - reminds me of the fuel pump noise on Mk3 & Mk4 Ford Escorts (injection models)

[monsta]

Quote:

Originally posted by potts


Me too - reminds me of the fuel pump noise on Mk3 & Mk4 Ford Escorts (injection models)

So it's true the MINI is a FORD!!!

Check out this thread if you haven't already seen it: http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...&threadid=7063

[MiNiGuY]

The steering pump is electrically driven rather than by an ancillary belt from the engine. Means you dont lose engine power when turning the wheels.

Matter of opinion on the noise. I reckon it's quite cool!!

[mr.bill]

Actually, you do lose some power when the PS pump runs, because it draws a lot of current and that loads down the alternator, which is belt-driven. The theory behind the electric pump is that it only draws power when needed, rather than running all the time as a belt-driven pump does, so it should save some fuel. Plus the fact that the engine compartment is so small, they probably didn't have room to mount a belt-driven pump anyway.

[chiph]

You'll be seeing more of these electrically-powered ancillary devices in the future. They reduce emissions by only putting a load on the engine when demand calls for it. But the automakers have determined that the 12v power that we've all grown accustomed to doesn't provide enough power to run all those new devices. The new batteries and cars will run on 42v current (36v battery, charging voltage of 42v).

BMW is a member of a consortium working on these systems. You can read more at MIT's Tech Talk newsletter.

From what I understand, the designers originally wanted a higher voltage, but the risk of electrocuting technicians and car owners was too great.

Chip H.

PS. Anyone remember the 6v electrical systems of the early VW Beetles?

[MiNiGuY]

Mr bill. Your'e right actually. I should have put my brain in gear first. I conceed

[mr.bill]

Another reason for the higher voltage is smaller wiring can be used, along with a lighter battery and smaller starter and alternator, because less current is drawn. Going to a higher voltage saves a little weight and may be cheaper to build. The downside, of course, is it forces everyone to buy new accessories, or else a voltage converter, to run their accessories.

Yes, the old VWs were six volts, but so were most cars years ago, prior to WW2 anyway. They could be converted to 12V by changing the battery, lamps, starter and generator (remember generators?), plus a radio if it had one. The 6V system used heavy wire, so converting it to 12V worked great. A friend of mine did that to an old VW he had imported. (It had the split rear window.) Military vehicles have used 24 volts for years. And do you remember when some cars used positive ground?

[IDONEY]

as so many MINI'S pull left i wonder if the poor steering pump will wear out....but i quite like the noise even though it has been pointed out that it sounds like a cat stuck under the bonnet (hood for our American friends!)

[Blackdeath]

Quote:

Originally posted by monsta


So it's true the MINI is a FORD!!!

I sometimes wish mine was, at least my old Ford Ka-3 didn't rattle

[smiffy]

The sounds reminds me of an Electric Sander

[Blackdeath]

Quote:

Originally posted by smiffy
The sounds reminds me of an Electric Sander

Thank God you've led such a sheltered life, or who knows what it would remind you of!