1st Gen R53 Cooper S Leaking power steering fluid reservoir cap.

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by pfspeeddemon, Nov 28, 2011.

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  1. pfspeeddemon

    pfspeeddemon New Member

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    #1 pfspeeddemon, Nov 28, 2011
    Hi Folks,

    I'm new here and this is my first post :wink:

    No matter how much I tighten the power steering fluid reservoir cap on my 2002 MINI Cooper S it still "weeps" fluid out down the side of the reservoir...it's not much but I do have to keep wiping it up after each outing otherwise, if I didn't do that after each outing then it would make quite a mess. I don't see any seal on the cap. Do any of you know if there is a way to solve this problem ?

    I'd appreciate your quick replies as I'd really like to get this sorted a.s.a.p. Thanks in advance.
     
  2. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #2 Nathan, Nov 28, 2011
    Welcome to M/A, thanks for joining.

    There is an O-Ring in the cap.

    See

    [​IMG]

    Part number is 32-41-1-128-333
     
  3. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    #3 ScottinBend, Nov 28, 2011
    Mine has leaked from the vent hole ever since I got it 8 yrs ago......don't think the o-ring is the cause.
     
  4. minimark

    minimark Well-Known Member

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    #4 minimark, Nov 28, 2011
    Same here, mines always had a little leak. Just enough to keep it looking dirty.
     
  5. k-huevo

    k-huevo Club Coordinator

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    #5 k-huevo, Nov 28, 2011
    It may be overfilled. Look for fluid above the first step on the cap post. If it is past midway on the second step, that is more fluid than necessary.
     
  6. Way Motor Works

    Way Motor Works New Member

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    #6 Way Motor Works, Nov 28, 2011
    Just make sure the level is filled correct, but this "leak" is normal as there is a hole in the cap that is a vent. Nothing wrong with it, all MINI's will get oil on the top of the tank.
     
  7. pfspeeddemon

    pfspeeddemon New Member

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    #7 pfspeeddemon, Nov 29, 2011
    Last edited: Nov 29, 2011
    To Nathan, ScottinBend, minimark, K-huevo (Hi Keith you helped me out way back in Nov 2010, a month after getting the Mini, when the resrvoir hoses were leaking...a change of clips did the trick) and Way Motor Works :Thanks for your prompt replies ! They were all appreciated very much. A lot of helpful people here...I'm glad I joined ! Spoke to our local agents today and they told me they would be ordering the sealing gasket (O-ring) for the cap as it isn't in stock. I hope that by replacing that part the weeping from the cap should stop. Level was ok when I checked some months back. The weeping is between the cap and the reservoir neck and not through the small breather hole. I won't tolerate a dirty reservoir no matter how much I'm told that it's normal...I mean, it was spotless for months and only started weeping a few weeks ago. I will tell you how it goes once done in a week or two's time.

    For those of you who'd like to see, I've posted a few photos of my Cooper S on the site which can be seen here: pfspeeddemon Gallery - Motoring Alliance Gallery
     
  8. Norm03s

    Norm03s New Member

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    #8 Norm03s, Nov 29, 2011
    I made cut down a brass nipple so I could plug it into the vent hole in the cap. Connected that to a small inline gas filter like you use on lawnmowers with clear fish tank hose. No mess
     
  9. pfspeeddemon

    pfspeeddemon New Member

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    #9 pfspeeddemon, Nov 29, 2011
    Thanks Norm03s...interesting, practical suggestion :Thumbsup:
     
  10. minimark

    minimark Well-Known Member

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    #10 minimark, Nov 29, 2011
    Pic!?
     
  11. Norm03s

    Norm03s New Member

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    #11 Norm03s, Nov 29, 2011
    It's raining right now, how about tomorrow?
     
  12. minimark

    minimark Well-Known Member

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    #12 minimark, Nov 29, 2011
    No problem, thanks!
     
  13. k-huevo

    k-huevo Club Coordinator

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    #13 k-huevo, Nov 29, 2011
    You're welcome and thank you for the note of appreciation.

    Our models don't have an O-ring on the cap, so I'm interested in how that part works out for you as a retrofit.

    My power steering reservoir doesn't weep at the cap seal or vent hole, although I've seen plenty that do.
     
  14. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #14 Dave.0, Nov 29, 2011
    I have Forge tank and I have no leaks. :D
     
  15. pfspeeddemon

    pfspeeddemon New Member

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    #15 pfspeeddemon, Nov 30, 2011
    Last edited: Nov 30, 2011
    Yo Folks !

    Took the cap off and, yes, mine does have the seal on it. It seemed so flattened over time that I had hardly noticed it before as it looked as part of the plastic moulding of the cap. I took it off and replaced it with a non-oem seal which I had in my box of assorted o-rings. It was of the same diameter but very slightly thicker which I believe should work in my favour as to giving a better seal between the cap and the reservoir. The cap tightened up and I believe it won't leak as it sealed really well which is great because I don't have to wait until the local Mini agent gets me one. I'll let you know how it goes once I use the car. BTW, oil-level in the reservoir was spot on by the "Max" mark.
     
  16. Norm03s

    Norm03s New Member

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    #16 Norm03s, Nov 30, 2011
    Last edited: Dec 2, 2011
    Power steering tank vent

    I did have a different filter and the fish tank tubing but just recently changed it out when I found that 90 degree vaccume line fitting and a smaller filter. Here's the vent picture:
     

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  17. minimark

    minimark Well-Known Member

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    #17 minimark, Nov 30, 2011
    LOL other than the fact that it looks to be flipping you off, it looks pretty good! :)
     
  18. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #18 Dave.0, Dec 1, 2011
    Replace those ugly MINI tanks with some bling.

    [​IMG]
     
  19. pfspeeddemon

    pfspeeddemon New Member

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    #19 pfspeeddemon, Dec 2, 2011
    Ha Ha ! Nice piece of kit Chili-PA...but I'm running on a tight budget at the moment ! LOL !
     
  20. pfspeeddemon

    pfspeeddemon New Member

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    #20 pfspeeddemon, Dec 4, 2011
    Hi All, I took the MCS out for a 15 min. shake-down drive today ("shake-down", because, literally, the car gets shaken down to its core on our atrocious, potholed and bumpy roads here in Malta) and returned to my garage, popped the bonnet and...voila, no leaks from the power steering reservoir cap ! The seal change did the trick ! Thanks for your advice !
     

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