[kE90]

The dealership stated that I should replace my power steering fluid.
I don't have any lights indicating that I need to fix it. Honestly I don't feel anything wrong because of it either.

Now, the local mechanic told me for my car 08 e90, the power steering fluid replacement isn't necessary; in fact, He told me it's written in the owner's manual.

What do you guys think?
Did you guys need to replace it?

[TheTal0n]

I just went downtown, bought some Pentosin CHFS-11(spelling?) and a turkey baster.

[CharlieBear]

^ got those things on my desk. Going to do it this weekend.

[sammk]

Usually, it's a good idea to replace it if it's discolored or looks grimy. You won't feel it in the steering or get warning lights, but you can pop open the cap and check the fluid color. If it's not looking good, it's probably doing slow damage to the metal and rubber parts in the steering system. I did the flush on a Lexus SC430 recently, and it's the same basic procedure on all cars. Easiest way is to get all the fluid out of the reservoir using a turkey baster or transfer pump, then refill with fresh fluid. Then drive for a bit, and keep repeating this over the course of a few days. Once you've gotten through 3-4 qts of fluid, you know you've replaced about 80-90% of the fluid which most people say is good enough.

Or if you're like me and want to go for the challenging way, you start with some hose, (about 6' of 3/8" i.d. hose from Home Depot would do), some hose clamps, a 3/8" coupling and a 3/8" bolt. Cut about 2" of hose and plug one end using the bolt and a hose clamp. Then undo the return line on the power steering line (the one that does not connect to the p.s. pump, you can trace it down to the steering rack or the cooler). In place of the return line, insert the 2" blocked line you just fabricated, and hose clamp it down. You've blocked off the return port on the reservoir. Next, use the 3/8" coupling and hose clamps to extend the return line from the engine bay to a drain pan located in a suitable place. Then, get in the car, unlock the ignition and turn the wheel lock to lock a half dozen times. Don't start the car since you'll be starving the p.s. pump and doing some damage. This should help evacuate most of the fluid from the system. Then you put everything back as it was, and fill fresh fluid in the reservoir. Start and let the engine run, then refill the fluid. Ignore the groaning/moaning coming from the pump as it primes.. You may need to recheck and refill the fluid a few times, but after that, you should be good. Hope this helps FWIW...

[kE90]

Thanks for the info! I should do a flush soon then. It does look grimy inside.

[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.

[fun2drive]

There is a very simple way to do this exchange. Get the Pentosin, oh by the way this is synthetic not dino ATF, and crack the banjo bolt loose on the rack with a pan under it. It helps to have the front wheels off the ground. Ignition switch in so you can turn the rack with no power, engine not running. That will purge the ATF out of the rack to include the reservoir.
Once it is empty tighten the banjo bolt and refill the resevoir, turn the rack again and refill until the reservoir doesn't go down.
I don't know if the 1L can will be enough but this is the easiest way to do this and empties the rack out. I have to do this to my ride with 54K miles when I get it down to Florida here in a few weeks...

[CharlieBear]

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

[bumere90]

^
damn
how many miles ?

[CharlieBear]

63k

Mind you that is WITH NEW FLUID.
Turkey baster 1.
Pour new fluid.
Drove around.
Turkey baster 2.
Pour new fluid.
Drove around.
Result is that picture.
Turkey baster 3.
Pour left over fluid. (half of reservoir)

[2M]

Originally Posted by CharlieBear

63k

Mind you that is WITH NEW FLUID.
Turkey baster 1.
Pour new fluid.
Drove around.
Turkey baster 2.
Pour new fluid.
Drove around.
Result is that picture.
Turkey baster 3.
Pour left over fluid. (half of reservoir)

What do you mean you poured the left over fluid. Aren't you supposed to fill till the line which is about mid-reservoir ?

[Delta0311]

I did pretty much all of the maintenance possible to my car and this is one of the last things; well this and the rear diff fluid, which I will change the same day. My question is how many liters of Pentosin CHF 11S should I get for this job?

[bumere90]

2 should be enough
id buy 3 just to be safe
you can always return sealed fluids

[Delta0311]

Originally Posted by bumere90

2 should be enough
id buy 3 just to be safe
you can always return sealed fluids

thank you

[jeffro535]

It's good preventative maintenance. I learned the hard way on my E36. Was checking all the fluids while changing the oil and when I cracked open the power steering reservoir, was was greeted by black mud. Changed it out, but the damage is done. Now leaks at the rack. So the E92 gets it flushed every 30k

[07lilredwagon]

Guys, just so you know....there is a filter in the bottom of the reservoir....it is integral....non replaceable....I changed out the reservoir when I did the fluid change (reservoir was under 40.00)....

If your fluid is really gunky or black...consider changing that reservoir....Also....the clamps that hold the reservoir hoses tend to leak after a while....change those out too...Its not too hard at all.....Bavauto has a nice DIY.

JP

[cbad335]

Originally Posted by 07lilredwagon

Guys, just so you know....there is a filter in the bottom of the reservoir....it is integral....non replaceable....I changed out the reservoir when I did the fluid change (reservoir was under 40.00)....

If your fluid is really gunky or black...consider changing that reservoir....Also....the clamps that hold the reservoir hoses tend to leak after a while....change those out too...Its not too hard at all.....Bavauto has a nice DIY.

JP

New to me. Good call.

[JS82]

Originally Posted by 07lilredwagon

Guys, just so you know....there is a filter in the bottom of the reservoir....it is integral....non replaceable....I changed out the reservoir when I did the fluid change (reservoir was under 40.00)....

If your fluid is really gunky or black...consider changing that reservoir....Also....the clamps that hold the reservoir hoses tend to leak after a while....change those out too...Its not too hard at all.....Bavauto has a nice DIY.

JP

The two hoses are attached to the reservoir with crimp clamps.
Did you use regular hose clamps or crimp clamps?
I'm planning on doing this soon.
Thanks.

[mi_bimmer]

I did the turkey baster method on my 2006 325i with 47K miles on it. Looked pretty dark initially (see pic.)

I added maybe 0.5L of the Pentosin fluid. A day later I sucked out some more fluid, it looked pretty good. I tried once more and it was quite clear. I ended up using about .75L total. Still have some left for another mini-flush or top off.
Easy job, no reason not to do it.

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by mi_bimmer

I did the turkey baster method on my 2006 325i with 47K miles on it. Looked pretty dark initially (see pic.)

I added maybe 0.5L of the Pentosin fluid. A day later I sucked out some more fluid, it looked pretty good. I tried once more and it was quite clear. I ended up using about .75L total. Still have some left for another mini-flush or top off.
Easy job, no reason not to do it.

Hi there, I need to do this next to my car. but whats turkey baster? is it a pump you buy at a local auto parts store?

EDITED: Nevermind I got it...

can i find the pentosin fluid at any local auto parts store? Thanks

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by 07lilredwagon

Guys, just so you know....there is a filter in the bottom of the reservoir....it is integral....non replaceable....I changed out the reservoir when I did the fluid change (reservoir was under 40.00)....

If your fluid is really gunky or black...consider changing that reservoir....Also....the clamps that hold the reservoir hoses tend to leak after a while....change those out too...Its not too hard at all.....Bavauto has a nice DIY.

JP

Thanks for sharing. I ll be doing this soon. I can feel a little shake when steering hard when parking in a tight area etc.. I hope changing fluid helps to soften it.

[mi_bimmer]

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

Hi there, I need to do this next to my car. but whats turkey baster? is it a pump you buy at a local auto parts store?

EDITED: Nevermind I got it...

can i find the pentosin fluid at any local auto parts store? Thanks

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.