Steering noise when engine is cold

[pietsch]

Hi,

I've been hearing what sounds like a loose heat shield buzz when I start my car in the morning, turn the wheel and give the engine a little gas. This always goes away after a few minutes and never happens when the car is warm.

It's a shrill hissing sound that only happens when I turn the wheel AND give it gas when the engine is cold. Took it to the dealer but they couldn't repeat the problem (probably because the engine wasn't cold).

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Bill

 

[330i and like it]

I had the same thing! Good luck with dealer, they could not find the problem with mine.

 

[epj3]

Did you put any kind of power steering fluid in the car? Sounds like the wrong fluid could've been used -- or the fluid that it came with from the factory is just designed for warmer climates??

First thing is to check the fluid level.

 

[pietsch]

I checked the level and it's fine. It's the fluid that came with the car when I bought it at the end of January 04.

 

[pietsch]

Hi,

Here's a follow-up. I took my car back to the dealer. They are now replacing the power steering pump. Hopefully that will solve the issue.

 

[Xyrium]

Hi,

Here's a follow-up. I took my car back to the dealer. They are now replacing the power steering pump. Hopefully that will solve the issue.

So they thought it was bearings in the pump? Makes sense.

 

[pietsch]

Another follow-up... After getting the car back and having both the power steering pump and the alternator replaced, the car still makes the same noise as when I first brought it in! Alternator was replaced because the battery light would come on for 30 seconds every once in a while.