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BMW 3-Series Maintenance and Repair

4450 messages,  Last post on Dec 05, 2009 at 12:23 PM

You are in the BMW 3-Series Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Sedan


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#4254 of 4450
Re: What Should I do first? [cbharvest] by kyfdx HOST
May 25, 2009 (4:41 pm)
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Replying to: cbharvest (May 25, 2009 4:28 pm)

Take it to your local dealer, and they will be able to tell you what service the car had for the first 4yr/50K miles, as the service is included for whoever owned it (so, most likely was completed).
 
If they serviced the car at a BMW dealer after the maintenance plan expired, they'll have those records, as well.
 
If the Inspection II was completed at the dealer (60K service), then you won't have much to do... But, you'll need to find that out, first.
#4256 of 4450
Re: What Should I do first? [kyfdx] by cbharvest
May 25, 2009 (5:59 pm)
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Replying to: kyfdx (May 25, 2009 4:41 pm)

Thanks. Unfortunately, it wasn't from a local dealer. Two owners, one in NC and one in VA, and I'm in MD. Is there a database that BMW keeps with the vin numbers and their service? Otherwise, is there a way to know if the water pump needs replacing or do I just wait until it breaks down? Gosh, I hate to even think about that!
#4257 of 4450
Re: What Should I do first? [cbharvest] by kyfdx HOST
May 26, 2009 (2:58 pm)
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Replying to: cbharvest (May 25, 2009 5:59 pm)

Yeah... if you can prove ownership of the car, then any BMW dealer can pull the service records by VIN...
#4258 of 4450
power steering leakage on the reservoir by uncleto
May 31, 2009 (6:17 pm)
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I know this is common to BMW. do i need to open and check the fluid and make sure im not loosing a lot and refill if need be. im scared to open it that i wont be able to cap it back. anyone who had this same problem and was able to fix it will give me a movtivation to do it also. all i need is an o-ring and some rubber to hand tight the cap. any imputs will be much appreciated. thanks in advance.
#4259 of 4450
Re: power steering leakage on the reservoir [uncleto] by luckybelly
May 31, 2009 (10:22 pm)
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Replying to: uncleto (May 31, 2009 6:17 pm)

Most likely the leakage you are referring to is a ventbreather hole on the screw on dipstick.. This is normal and doesn't need to be repaired.
However it is common for p/s fluid to leak from hoses connected to the reservoir tank. For this you will need to replace the hose that is leaking. One hose is going to P/S pump and that one does not need special tool to unscrew from pump. The other is connected to the radiator. But it is not simple you will need a special tool. Special tool is for disconnecting one of the hose that is going to radiator and other to the reservoir tank.
I recommend letting a professional repair shop that works on BMWs handle this so they do not damage the hose or the radiator.
Special tool is not expensive but many do not know about it and may damage your radiator.
Good luck -
#4260 of 4450
Re: power steering leakage on the reservoir [luckybelly] by uncleto
Jun 01, 2009 (5:06 pm)
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Replying to: luckybelly (May 31, 2009 10:22 pm)

Thanks for the info. anyway, i dont see any leakage coming from any of the 2 hoses. its just greasy coming from the cap and outside of the reservoir, a friend told me once i open the cap make sure to put new o-ring and discard the old one. just waiting to get one including a p/s fluid. just wondering what kind of p/s fluid should i use. can i get a generic or a BMW. thanks again for the imput.
#4261 of 4450
Re: power steering leakage on the reservoir [uncleto] by luckybelly
Jun 01, 2009 (10:53 pm)
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Replying to: uncleto (Jun 01, 2009 5:06 pm)

Check the cap, it lists the type of fluid recommended, most likely it will say "ATF" if that is the case you should use any "Dexron III" auto trans fluid available at local auto parts store. Brand name is not necessary but use reputable name to avoid getting some unknown fluid. It may list "CHF 11" or mineral oil, if it lists that, then you need specially marked fluid CHF 11S available through most VW/Audi dealers in addition to the BMW dealer.
It is a good preventive maintenance to get the p/s fluid flushed every 30k miles. Though, BMW does not promote this service, it would be a inexpensive service ($50-$75) to get done and save you leakage issues in future. New fluid will have conditioners and detergents built in to provide you with long life with minimal expense.
And changing o-ring is nice but not required. Unless you notice leakage from the cap area.
#4262 of 4450
Re: power steering leakage on the reservoir [luckybelly] by uncleto
Jun 02, 2009 (7:38 am)
Reply

Replying to: luckybelly (Jun 01, 2009 10:53 pm)

Thanks again! will keep you posted.
#4263 of 4450
Re: power steering leakage on the reservoir [uncleto] by uncleto
Jun 02, 2009 (7:44 am)
Reply

Replying to: uncleto (Jun 02, 2009 7:38 am)

Just a follow up. to replace the cap its just need to be hand tied or do i need a special tool to make it tight?

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