PS fluid or coolant? Leaky front bumper

[Jon K]

What's the best method to make repairs to the hose? Can I just use a little container to catch the fluid when I disconnect the line in the picture above?

I cleanly removed the hose from the hardline - sure I dropped maybe an ounce or two on a rag/street, but other than that it seems as though the fluid is pretty well vacuum held - it didn't want to leave the hard pipe very easily. best bet, prepare your new length of hose (you have to cut it yourself) and in one swift motion, remove the old how and put the new on. Hold the new hose high as if it were leading to the resevoir this will keep it from running out.

Oh also, I forgot to mention that i evacuated the resevoir of fluid with my fluid pump though you could use a turkey baster or a fluid syringe. I only removed about 2 ounces if that before the resevoir was "empty".

[632 Regal]

you might want to inspect them plastig coolant lines that run from the expansion tank to the rad. Mine just hairlined and took me quite a while to fine it. was on the fenderwell side (bottom) and very hidden. Rubber hose & clamp trick.

The M60 uses the expensive Pentosin hydraulic fluid, not sure how that compares to normal power steering fluid. Also I think the reservoir is in a different spot from the m50.

Thanks for the advise Jon. I will definitely have to check out that Gunk degreaser as there is some nastiness in there.

What's the best method to make repairs to the hose? Can I just use a little container to catch the fluid when I disconnect the line in the picture above?

[shogun]

First of all you have to find out where the fluid is coming from before you ask questions.
Is it a high pressure line?
These high pressure lines are layed out for about 2oo bar by design, so the only choice you have is to replace them.
Or is it the copper gasket where the hollow screw is in the power steering unit?
replace the copper gasket.
Also, if you tighten all too much, the hollow screw can brake
http://img374.imageshack.us/my.php?i...drhose99tf.jpg
http://img374.imageshack.us/my.php?i...drhose64ww.jpg

High pressure lines you can either buy new or visit a shop which handles agricultural equipment, sand shovels and that stuff. They have high pressure lines and crimp in new hoses to the special BMW connections
http://img374.imageshack.us/my.php?i...drhose73pj.jpg
http://img374.imageshack.us/my.php?i...drhose82lb.jpg
http://img374.imageshack.us/my.php?i...drhose10an.jpg

Low pressure lines:
easy stuff: the one that is going from the bottom of the Pentosin reservoir: just vacuum off the Pentosin from the reservoir, remove the connection, cut off about 5 mm from the hose, reconnect again and use a new hose clamp.

[dennyg]

I had the same problem with my 535. Not sure if the reservoir is in the same position on yours but its hard to see which power steering hose leaks. I took off the stock bmw clamps and put on new hose screw clamps. Then cleaned the area with gunk and rag. The next day I could see the hose from the reservoir was the leak and replaced it. I still have some hose left if you need some. I am glad it was the low pressure hose needed only one foot and two clamps. If you find the leak is the same email me and I will send you enough hose to replace it.

[peete]

My touring had been leaking for a while also. I went in, cleaned up all of the mess and replaced all of the hose clamps. The fluid level still dropped @ 1/8" after a 1400 mile road trip so I guess I need to look and see if any hoses are saturated.
There was so much mess I took the air cleaner box out to get to it.

[brosher]

Thank you all for the advice!

I spent a good 15 minutes chillin under the car looking for leaks yesterday with no luck in identifying the source. This could mean it is PS fluid because when the car is sitting there running the PS pump isn't doing anything, right? It also could mean the car isn't at the right angle when on the ramps, I usually park on a slight downward slope. I'm going to repair the low pressure line and clean the area as Jon K recommended. I'm doubtful this is the source but it needs to be done anyways so it can't hurt.

I'll see if I can inspect the hard lines better, but there is so much crap in that corner it's hard to tell.

[brosher]

Also, for the M60 guys:

I noticed some oil sludge on the pipe that connects the oil filter canister to the oil pan. Anyone replace this before? Looks to be a $65 part on realoem + the associated washers. It doesn't show up on the diagram but there appeared to be a joint in the middle of some kind. Maybe a slip joint with an O-ring?

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