Steering Pump On The R53 Went Tubby Bye Bye

"TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut" (twincharged)
03/12/2014 at 12:53 • Filed to: mini cooper s, r53, asialopnik

Earlier today, a funny whining noise started singing from under the bonnet. Even with the engine off, the whine persisted, so I suspected an electric motor of sorts was wrong. Later in the carpark, while moving the steering wheel, I heard the pitch of the whine change - immediately I knew it was the steering pump. Quickly searching on my phone, I found out that a whining steering pump, especially when the engine was off, was the sign that it was time for it to go. However, it also said that there was a possibility of fire. So, let's shut it down. The internets recommended the removal of the FL4 fuse, which controls the steering pump - take it off and it shuts down, thus reducing the possibility of fire.

So we got the car home and decided to remove the fuse for the steering pump until the mechanic comes to pick the car up. Problem: the cocking fuse for the steering pump is right in the bowels of the engine bay. To get to it, you have to undo three bolts, lift the fusebox out and remove it from underneath. That's right, there are fuses underneath the fusebox. It's currently 90% humidity here, so dad and I though screw that, let's just disconnect the battery. Oh wasn't that fun.

So, battery disconnected from inside the trunk. Trunk closed. Wait, I left something inside the boot. Omgwtfbbq why won't the boot open. Oh of course, electric boot release. Lifts up back seat, pulls manual release string. Boot pops open. Gets thing. Wait, we forgot to raise the windows. Reconnect the battery. Windows raised. Wait, will the doors work after we disconnect the battery. Ok try. Ok the doors work. Disconnect battery. Now lock the door with the key. Wait why won't the other door lock. Locks other door. Ok doors are locked now. WAIT WHERE IS MY PHONE. Calls phone, only to realise I left it on top of the car. By now I'm sweating like a stuck pig. And it's dark.

TL;DR - steering pump won't shut up even though engine is off, with a possibility of fire. Removing the fuse that controlled the steering pump was out of the question, so it was just easier to disconnect the battery. Hah. Fat chance. Chaos ensues.

Battery has now been successfully disconnected - it now awaits the mechanic tomorrow morning.

//grumbles irritably

//goes back into the house, discovers that a bottle of detergent has leaked all over the cabinet

//FUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

DISCUSSION (16)

HammerheadFistpunch > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
03/12/2014 at 13:02

So, you say this is a German car? hmmm, this doesn't sound like the Germany I know...

/sarcasm factor 11

The Real Dacia Sandero > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
03/12/2014 at 13:07

That's probably the reason my aunt's Mini burned to the ground...

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > HammerheadFistpunch
03/12/2014 at 13:08

I know, I know. It may be German, but the R53 isn't the most reliable of the new MINIs. 8 years on the road though, and it's been driven on both sides of the world - Ireland and Hong Kong. Surprised that the steering pump actually lasted this long. Just passed 100,000km actually.

Yes, the parts are pricey and at its age the wear and tear is beginning to show. Still love it to bits though...

HammerheadFistpunch > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
03/12/2014 at 13:09

That's the truest story of a MINI ever..."they fall to pieces and cost a fortune to repair, but I can't not love it."

Sometimes love is like that. To me that's called an unhealthy infatuation, but hey...can't explain love.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > HammerheadFistpunch
03/12/2014 at 13:18

Beautifully put.

SteyrTMP > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
03/12/2014 at 13:29

I believe there was a recall on that. At least a TSB, because my MCS got it replaced for free when mine went to shit. Electric steering pumps never do well on the bottom of a car.

Before spending any money, see if they'll take care of it for you first.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > SteyrTMP
03/12/2014 at 13:32

The warranty's long since run out, since we left Ireland five years ago. That car's been on both sides of the world. Now that it's in Hong Kong, it's even more expensive to service the car through BMW's official workshops. We prefer to take it to a local mechanic that's served my dad well for more than 20 years. The guy's amazing - trained by Toyota in Japan and can work on almost anything.

SteyrTMP > SteyrTMP
03/12/2014 at 13:34

Canadian Recall

Warranty Extension

TSB List

SteyrTMP > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
03/12/2014 at 13:35

Ah. I don't know about Ireland, Canada extended the warranty for that pump to 13 years/150k miles.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > SteyrTMP
03/12/2014 at 13:47

Canada's so nice - never heard of such a scheme in Ireland. Regular maintenance is key - make sure everything is working well and replace things before they tend to break. Just that this time, the steering pump came out of nowhere...

RyanFrew > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
03/12/2014 at 14:46

Did you have the pump replaced after the recall? This doesn't sound like the same problem that caused the recall, but curious anyways

eeee > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
03/12/2014 at 15:26

Meh, I have a weird hissing/whining noise in my R53, like something was leaking loudly...can't locate it. Worst of all, it's only rarely audible, usually when I start it up. I hate weird noises...

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > RyanFrew
03/12/2014 at 19:48

No actually, because we never got wind of the recall either in Ireland or in Hong Kong.

RyanFrew > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
03/12/2014 at 20:22

Yeahhhh I picked up that you weren't in the US from your comments. The steering pumps on r53s is their weakest point. My car has 160,000km on it and I haven't had a single problem aside from a spot that rusted through on the exhaust and replacing the PS Pump.....twice.

RyanFrew > eeee
03/12/2014 at 20:23

This is probably a really stupid question. But did you try topping of the PS fluid?

eeee > RyanFrew
03/13/2014 at 04:05

I actually haven't. Will have a look-see. There are no stupid questions ;) Cheers!