[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by mi_bimmer

NAPA has it (Pentosin CFS/11H)

Btw, for those that don't know what a turkey baster is, it's like a big ink dropper. Available at your friendly $ store for a buck. Makes sucking out the old fluid from the reservoir a breeze. Just be careful not to drip any fluid in the engine bay, especially on the belts.

Hey thanks for the info. What about price and is it per bottle?

Is this it?

http://new.minimania.com/part/NME724...id-Oem---1-Ltr

[mi_bimmer]

Yes that's the one. It was about $24 for a 1L bottle.

[07lilredwagon]

Hey, guys...I used stainless screw clamps..just dont tighten them too much to where you start cutting the hoses...though they should be pretty snug....Yeah, the Pentosin is great stuff...I used most of the quart when I replaced the reservoir.

JP

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by BlackDesertTango

If the fluid is dirty, your power steering pump will appreciate the new juice. It's very easy to do and there is a step-by-step DIY on the forum which I used to do mine.

Power steering pump failure is almost always caused by past due fluid.

BMW likes to market fluids as long-life or lifetime fluid-its up to you to make the decision to believe that.

I've owned at least 8 cars that had hydraulic power steering. I've had the shop manuals for everyone and the owner’s manuals too. Nowhere have I've ever seen where the manufacturer mandates a periodic power steering fluid change, so don't go trying to loop BMWs lack of recommended power steering change into the "lifetime fluid" crap debate. BMW recommends 100,000 mile changes for transmission, diff, and coolant right in the maintenance booklet that comes with the set of owner’s manuals.

That said, it’s not a bad idea to change the power steering fluid, but it is not mandated by the manufacturer.

[GoRomeo]

Thanks for sharing guys! I wonder If I should replace the reservoir as well. I was planning to only change the fluid. What u guys think?

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by CharlieBear

Just did mine. Turkey Baster method. Refilled the reservoir with 1L pentosin 2.5 times.

hi there did you replace your power steering resevoir as well or only fluid? I m about to do this on my car and wanted to ask you how it went. Do you feel better steering at all? Thanks in advance!

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

Thanks for sharing guys! I wonder If I should replace the reservoir as well. I was planning to only change the fluid. What u guys think?

I changed mine at 153,000; yeah, the fluid was dirty as you'd expect it to be, but I left the reservoir alone. I think it is a bit overkill IMO. If you are going to change the fluid, then do it the right way by pulling the hoses off the rack and letting everything drain out; it's not that difficult.

[mi_bimmer]

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

Thanks for sharing guys! I wonder If I should replace the reservoir as well. I was planning to only change the fluid. What u guys think?

Romeo, how many miles on your car? The filter is integrated in the reservoir, so if you have over 100K miles or so and have never changed the fluid, you might consider replacing the reservoir just so you get a new filter in there.

There is a DIY video on BavAuto that shows how to do it (older BMW but same procedure)

http://youtu.be/T4Gp1vNgOLc

[ska325xi]

Anyone have part number for the gasket/o ring to the reservor cap?

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by mi_bimmer

Romeo, how many miles on your car? The filter is integrated in the reservoir, so if you have over 100K miles or so and have never changed the fluid, you might consider replacing the reservoir just so you get a new filter in there.

There is a DIY video on BavAuto that shows how to do it (older BMW but same procedure)

http://youtu.be/T4Gp1vNgOLc

Hi guys thanks for the reply. Ok I believe my fluids were changed under warranty when I had about 40k so it has only been about 60k since my fluids wwre changed (I believe I saw this in my service records). Actually, yesterday I opened the reservoir and my fluid looked fine, not grimmy or anything, although I did not check the color since its hard to see it inside the reservoir. I will check again. What color should I look for? Green, or Redish?

On a different note, I need to replace my spark plugs I am due now at 100k.

Yesterday I went to the dealership since it was on my way and quickly asked them for a quote on changing my spark plugs....I laughed at them....

guess how much??? Yeap freaking $480.00 dlls hahahaha.. hell no.. I will do this myself... I can get the spark plugs at 60 dlls

[MrQuickR1]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

I changed mine at 151,000; yeah, the fluid was dirty as you'd expect it to be, but I left the reservoir alone. I think it is a bit overkill IMO. If you are going to change the fluid, then do it the right way by pulling the hoses off the rack and letting everything drain out; it's not that difficult.

Excellent advice
Honestly to turkey baste the fluid out of the reservoir and repeat for a few days dumping a few liters in is such a waste of time and money. Remove a bolt, replace a washer and do it one time and it will be much cleaner than doing it over the course of a few days

[Surly73]

Originally Posted by MrQuickR1

Excellent advice
Honestly to turkey baste the fluid out of the reservoir and repeat for a few days dumping a few liters in is such a waste of time and money. Remove a bolt, replace a washer and do it one time and it will be much cleaner than doing it over the course of a few days

Actually, I think a turkey baster change at every oil change for the life of the car is the best way to go. It keeps the fluid always-fresh, instead of waiting a long time for it to degrade then needing to get every last bit out. Now, CHF-11S is more expensive than the ATF most of my previous cars have used so depending on just what percentage of the system level is contained in the reservoir I might change that to "every second or third oil change" for my E90.

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by mi_bimmer

Romeo, how many miles on your car? The filter is integrated in the reservoir, so if you have over 100K miles or so and have never changed the fluid, you might consider replacing the reservoir just so you get a new filter in there.

There is a DIY video on BavAuto that shows how to do it (older BMW but same procedure)

http://youtu.be/T4Gp1vNgOLc

Originally Posted by Surly73

Actually, I think a turkey baster change at every oil change for the life of the car is the best way to go. It keeps the fluid always-fresh, instead of waiting a long time for it to degrade then needing to get every last bit out. Now, CHF-11S is more expensive than the ATF most of my previous cars have used so depending on just what percentage of the system level is contained in the reservoir I might change that to "every second or third oil change" for my E90.

I agree with you. It makes sense to have a car with fresh fluid rather than wait till its too late and ruin your power steering pump. I think this process will help the life of the pump. I will definately add this task when I change my plugs in the next few days. Although I asked my friend the BMW tech yesterday and mentioned that according to his experience which is 15 yrs working for BMW, never change Power Steering fluid unless is leaking or requested but never for maintenance purposes. Not it makes me wonder if mine has ever been changed!!!

FYI the CHF 11s is only 21.00 for 1 liter at Napa Auto stores.

[Efthreeoh]

Now being at 200K and a change at 153K, changing every few oil changes is a bit of overkill IMO.

[Surly73]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Now being at 200K and a change at 153K, changing every few oil changes is a bit of overkill IMO.

To each his own, I guess.

None of my cars has ever had the slightest steering system leak, rack damage, noisy pump etc... when I'd read lots of stories from other owners with issues. On cars that use cheaper ATF, I could turkey baster change using some of the best ATF out there (like Redline D4ATF) for a couple of dollars per oil change and it's always fresh. Even if it's "too often", it's easy and cheap.

[Crusader]

I recommend this technique. While you can drain most of the fluid through arduous means, sucking the reservoir dry, putting new fluid in, and repeating the process will accomplish most of the good with far less effort. I'd do it at 30-36,000 mile intervals. And if you're a purist, yes, draining every last drop out is better.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by Crusader

I recommend this technique. While you can drain most of the fluid through arduous means, sucking the reservoir dry, putting new fluid in, and repeating the process will accomplish most of the good with far less effort. I'd do it at 30-36,000 mile intervals. And if you're a purist, yes, draining every last drop out is better.

Well I even opened the hardline that goes to the other side of the rack and blew everything clear with low-pressure shop air.

[MrQuickR1]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Now being at 200K and a change at 153K, changing every few oil changes is a bit of overkill IMO.

I agree, next we'll hear how they use a shop vac and tygon tubing to suck the lines and rack clean.
Like it was said, to each his own... overkill and a waste of money but if it makes someone feel at ease than I guess it's worth the burned money

[CharlieBear]

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

hi there did you replace your power steering resevoir as well or only fluid? I m about to do this on my car and wanted to ask you how it went. Do you feel better steering at all? Thanks in advance!

don't notice a difference but it's good to know that I got some fresh fluid in there. Like people said, each to their own on how and how often they do it.

[BillionPa]

Here is a fluid comparison at 65K miles, old fluid looked like it had a slight metallic sparkle to it, and is black like old motor oil.

Would HIGHLY suggest replacing at a shorter interval, like 40K considering what I pulled out of there

Will be doing the turkey baster method of cleaning, one res fill a day for 3 days or until the fluid coming out at least looks green again

Will also be doing a single res replacement every other oil change from now on, and probably replace the res over the summer

[Terryk]

why not use a cheaper atf since the steering wheel pump doesn't operate in high pressures or temperatures? I bought from castrol and I ll do it this weekend ( i hope)

[Pittsburger]

I changed mine at 25 k (fluid only, using a oral syringe instead of turkey baster).
It was really dirty as u can see in photo. I changed because I thought there was noise coming from the power steering and the serpentine belt. (Unrelated: Turns out it is a normal sound from alternator with 328 design)

There is a school of thought that almost as soon as you replace the fluid it will quickly get dirty.

I might check on the fluid soon, now at 29 k. If its just as dirty as it was at 25 k, I might agree with this school of thought and do it only for paranoid reasons every 30 k, but not worry if it doesn't get done.