[citrustaco]

Hi Guys. Wife called this afternoon to tell me that at the mcdonald drive thrue her 2011 335D was loosing power steering and she could smell something burning. Drove to her and car started fine power steering pump pulley was turning fine and at the moment she turned the steering, the pump would lock and the belt would start smoking. So i thought well easy enough its the pump found a place to rebuild. I had the car towed, took the the pump off and it doesnt feel like there is anything wrong with it. The fluid did smell like it was burned.

I did put a new battery yesterday. an aftermarket one.

So im thinking that maybe the rack could have caused it? The pump was locking when wife would turn steering wheel only otherwise pulley was turning just fine. Maybe im missing something.

[iaknown]

How about the alternator? Since that is battery related. Did you check to see if the car is charging ok? Do you know for sure the pump is locking?

[F32Fleet]

Would a PS fluid leak cause this?

[Hoooper]

Seems unlikely to be the rack but possible. The pump should just dead head and produce max pressure if the rack had some issue, but if the belt engagement on the pulley isn't enough to handle the power drawn by the pump it could cause the belt to slip. I would definitely check the other things first like confirming the belt is smoking at the PS pulley, then checking to make sure the lines are clear, etc

[citrustaco]

the power steering pump would lock up because the pulley would stop turning and the belt would smoke right at the pump. It had enough fluid in reservoir too and no leak. Im going to put it back on and check to see if it is pumping. fortunately it sits right on top front of the engine and is an easy fix.

[135i_vs_]

Careful.. Think I remember a 335d catching on fire from this scenario!

[Hoooper]

PS fluid is flammable so yeah it could cause a fire.