Changing The Power Steering Filter & Fluid On A BMW

[machiavelli316bg]

I've seen people fill the reservoir, start the engine and turn the wheel from one side to other few times, than suck the fluid, refill, start again the engine and again move the wheel.

Is that a good way to do it or......? What do you think?

[BavarianAuto]

@machiavelli316bg

Turning the wheel back and forth, may help to move the fluid through the system. It certainly can't hurt. Keep the engine running through the complete procedure.

[machiavelli316bg]

@BavarianAuto

Thank you.

[MrRatchet696]

@machiavelli316bg yea its fine to do it that way just make sure you get the wheel fully locked to either side when you turn the wheel.

[machiavelli316bg]

Is this an automatic transmission? Do the manual have also a filter?

[BavarianAuto]

@machiavelli316bg -

The type of transmission does not matter, All late model US BMWs have power steering. The fluid reservoirs and filter types may vary from model to model, but the transmission type does not matter.

[Thismexican1]

@BavarianAuto the metal reservoir is the one in an angle right? False floor?

[BavarianAuto]

@Thismexican1 -

I'm not sure what you mean about an angle. If the reservoir dues not have the screw-on plastic cap, with a dip-stick, as shown in the video ... it will be one of the various metal reservoirs. These reservoirs have the filter ring at the bottom of the unit, with a metal plate sitting on top of the filter. When you drain the fluid and look down into the reservoir, you see the plate. People commonly think this is the bottom (or floor) of the reservoir. Hence, "false floor".

[BiteDoctor]

@10:00 you say "this is the dex 3 fluid" but the bottle says D4 ATF

[BavarianAuto]

@BiteDoctor -

Red Line has named this fluid D4. We think this may be due to the fact that it meets the GL-4 fluid specs. The fluid is applicable to Dexron-II, Dexron-III, Mercon and Mercon-V.

[BiteDoctor]

@BavarianAuto thanks for clarifying!

[Altair8801]

Is it really necessary to do all that job and replace the whole reservoir just to get a new filter in there?... that doesn't seem well thought out to me.

[BavarianAuto]

@Altair8801 -

Yes, on the models that have the plasic reservoirs, the filter is encased in the reservoir. We would assume BMW never intended to actually change the filters as regular maintenance.

[harlemsoldier83]

Can you please tell me the part number on your website for a new reservoir on a 2004 325i? Great video!

[BavarianAuto]

@harlemsoldier83 -

BAVAUTO dot COM

32 41 1 124 680

[niceman11433]

THANK YOU VERY HELPFUL VEDIO.........

[yukuhana]

Great video!!! One question: If the filter and fluid are for power steering, how come we use ATF fluid? Doesn't ATF stand for automatic transmission fluid??

[BavarianAuto]

@yukuhana -

The fluid used in many (most) BMW power steering systems is Dexron-III. This is typically also used for many older automatic transmissions as well as manual transmissions. It is a somewhat universal hydraulic fluid and is most commonly known as automatic transmission fluid, even though this is just one of its many uses.

[mrkimosabi1000]

thanks to this video I saved like 300$ or more! Thanks a lot !

[Thismexican1]

@BavarianAuto I have an 88 735i problem is that it whines pretty loud. Everytime I twist the wheel it spits the power steering fluid out.

[BavarianAuto]

@Thismexican1 -

The first step would be to replace the filter in the reservoir. The metal reservoir on your 735i has a replacable filter. It is located in the bottom of the reservoir, under the "false floor". Go to our web site (BAVAUTO dot COM) or call (800-535-2002), to order the filter. Look at the cover on your reservoir to see if it has three or four ribs ... to determine which filter is correct.

[ViperKeeper2070]

thanks for the video! I'm wanting to change out the reservoir and power steering lines on my 96 750il...Can I drain the remaining fluid from the pump after the lines and reservoir are replaced, or should I just add the fresh fluid, then circulate it till its running clear?

[BavarianAuto]

@ViperKeeper2070 -

There won't be much fluid in the pump, but you could drain out what you can. Once it's back together, do the fill and some fluid "swapping", as shown in the video, until the fluid is clear. Be sure to replace the filter too. The E38 750il models had three different fluid reservoirs. If you have a plastic reservoir (there are two different ones for this car), replace the reservoir. If reservoir is metal, replace the internal filter. Call 800-535-2002 or BAVAUTO dot COM.

[elias38]

Very helpfull! Thanks!

[gregnick3377]

Bet the dealer charges $350-400 for this repair

[Erikduarte1]

Do I have to use Synthetic ATF or can I just use regular ATF? It my first time changing it on my 2002 325ci.

[BavarianAuto]

@Erikduarte1 -

You do not HAVE to use synthetic. The synthetic is just a better choice. The original fill was not synthetic.

[ksvrando]

Great post! I certainly found it to be very helpful. Would you please let us know what brand is your fluid transfer pump? It looks very solid and I would love to invest into one going forward.

[BavarianAuto]

@ksvrando -

We import the fluid pump from Europe. The brand is Bavarian Autosport, as we bring it in as our own. We all use these pumps, personally, and they work very well.

[W4TCH4W]

@BavarianAuto why would you need to change the resorvoir ?

[BavarianAuto]

@W4TCH4W -

The filter is encased in the plastic reservoir and is not removable from the reservoir.

[BavarianAuto]

@ksvrando -

We purchase the pumps from our suppier in Europe. There are in a plain white box .... no branding. However, they do work well for most fluids. We have fould that very heavy fluids can cause bypass at the piston (pump) seal, such as Lucas gear oil modifier (you should never use this stuff anyway .......).

[sunnyjason]

what caused the leak did you find out?

was it the PS bottle or the hoses?

[BavarianAuto]

@sunnyjason -

If fluid is being lost, it will be due to leaks at the hose connection points, a leaking pump or a leaking steering rack or gearbox. An undercar inspection should identify the leaking areas. If fluid is in the boots on the steering rack, the seals in the rack are leaking and the rack must be replaced.

[CrashBandikoot7]

You are very good at what you do sir.. I like your style. Btw, is there any kind of air bleeding required? Maybe turn the wheels from left to right with the reservoir open? And can the filter be replaced without having to replace the whole reservoir? Thank you very much. Im subscribing.

[BavarianAuto]

Yes, the hoses do need to go onto the proper nipples on the reservoir. The nipples, and the corresponding hoses, are different sizes. It is readily apparent which hose goes on which nipple. Your note, to be cautious about it, is good though.

[gatinho200]

@BavarianAuto What size from the hoses clamps go in the reservoir ??? 6:56 ..... I Bought the ATF from your website and i am waiting for the weekend to change the fluid from my Bimmer :) Thanks for the magazine is awesome, i will order more parts. :P

[eurowerke]

You might have wanted to comment more specifically about how to determine what hose goes on which port of the reservoir, if someone didn't remember. The plastic ZF reservoirs have arrows on the sides to indicate the feed and return ports; you didn't mention anything about this. The two ports are different sizes and so they shouldn't be easily confused.

[swizz85]

I will definitely buy from your company after watching this video. Also, what is the proper amount of fluid that is needed to fill the reservoir? During the video I was very curious to know how you knew exactly how much fluid to add.

[BavarianAuto]

@swizz85

In flushing the system, simply remove and add fluid (as shown in the video) until the circulating fluid is nice and clear. This generally takes from 2 to 4 quarts. Once the fluid is flushed so that it is continually running clear, you can adjust the final fluid level. This is accomplished by screwing on the cap (and integral dip-stick), with the engine running, and reading the fluid level. We actually forgot to show this, since we have an experienced "eye", for the proper level.

[TigerOscar78]

how many bottles does it take for a 330ci 2001 ???

[BavarianAuto]

@TigerOscar78

We typically recommend having about 4 quarts/liters on hand, when performing the filter and fluid change as shown in the video.

Go to bavauto.com for purchasing the proper fluids

[ViaDolorosa777]

how often should you replace the reservoir i just got a 325i

[BavarianAuto]

@ViaDolorosa777

We would recomment changing the fluid and the filter at 30,000 to 50,000 miles, in most cases. If the fluid is dirty looking (not clear or bright red, depending on the fluid that is used), it's time for a change.

[axzell2]

Nice guide. I think I will do this on my old E34 520i.

[thill9k]

Thanks a ton, that was a huge help

[bnigam]

Do you need to move the steering wheel at all with this method? Do you always replace the resovoir for a change and flush? Thanks, I've never read about it being done this way.

[BavarianAuto]

@bnigam - We do recommend replacing the reservoir (on the models with the plastic reservoirs), since the filter is captive inside the reservoir, and cannot be removed. Models that have metal reservoirs, with metal caps, have replaceable filters, down in the base of the reservoir.

[OldUncleMe]

Really nice work on the video, just a couple of things -

I like the watch, but never wear jewelry, ties, long sleeves while working on machinery, especially if it's running! It is bad practice because it can get hooked and pull your body part into the action.

Where did you get that fluid pump? Nice, was it cheap? Do you have one for oil and one for brakefluid too, or do you clean the one for different uses?

Same question about the absorbent mat: who sells that?

Thanks.

[BavarianAuto]

@OldUncleMe - All good points, and standard shop operating procedures, as well.

The fluid pump and absorbent mats are offered by Bavarian Autosport at bavauto.com. We would not suggest mixing fluids of different base stocks in the same fluid pump. The pumps are not expensive, so having more than one would not be prohibitive.

[biggboi21]

@BavarianAuto Do you need to buy a new reservoir or can you just drain the fluid out and replace?