2nd Gen R56 Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: Gen 2 Power Steering

  1. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #2 Crashton, Jun 6, 2017
    All I know is yours is the first post I've read about Gen 2 power steering. Gen 1 has had loads of problems until the Gen 1.5 face lift. Have you looked in your Bentley Manual? Let us know how it works out. Here's hoping it is nothing major. :fingerscrossed:
     
  2. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    #3 Metalman, Jun 6, 2017
    Could it be your serpentine belt slipping on startup?

    Gen 2 is all electric steering...
     
  3. Qik

    Qik Well-Known Member

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    #4 Qik, Jun 6, 2017
    I don't think so? Will check out the belt tonight, that's a good thought there Metalman. I don't hear any squealing, just that whine you hear when a car is low on power steering fluid, but without the change in sound as the wheel turns. I'll be going under the hood tonight to poke around and listen, look for leaks, cracks, etc. The only reason I think it's steering is because of the sound. Don't know what else would make that noise in this car. Water pump? I have no idea really. Will keep y'all posted!
     
  4. MeagerHair

    MeagerHair Member

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    #5 MeagerHair, Jun 6, 2017
    Hopefully not a turbo bearing.

    Gen 2 EPAS system.
     

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  5. Qik

    Qik Well-Known Member

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    #6 Qik, Jun 6, 2017
    Me too! If it is though, I got warranty for that :) Thanks for the pic!
     
  6. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    #7 Minidave, Jun 6, 2017
    Yeah, it's not the power steering, the electric motor only runs as you turn the wheel, so it won't make any sound as you're sitting there idling.

    I would also check the serpentine belt, just for fun.......could be the belt tensioner bearing too

    If it were a turbo bearing, the sound would not be linear with engine rpms. So if the sound follows the engine rpm, you need to look for something that also does - such as the idler bearing, A/C compressor bearing, alternator and so on.
     
  7. Qik

    Qik Well-Known Member

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    #8 Qik, Jun 6, 2017
    Awesome, thanks for the direction Dave!
     
  8. vetsvette

    vetsvette MINI Alliance Ambassador

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    #9 vetsvette, Jun 6, 2017
    Do you have the original plastic water pump? They can get noisy when they start to go bad.
     
  9. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    #10 Minidave, Jun 6, 2017
    A good way to find noisy bearings is with a stethoscope....Harbor Freight sells them for $4.00

    https://www.harborfreight.com/mechanics-stethoscope-69913.html

    Or use a long screwdriver, place the tip against something solid near the bearing you want to hear and put your ear over the end of the screwdriver - it will clearly amplify the sounds