Noisy Power Steering Pump And Oil In Header Tank?

[bodster]

Looking at a 02 Mini Cooper,

On full lock with wheel held it makes a fair noise and you can just hear it under normal driving

Is this normal or to be worried about

Also the header tank seems to be just fill with cleanish oil, rest of bottle is clean? Sure it should have water in there?

Just seems strange to have clean oil in there and no any oil water mix, woman drives car round like this this to?

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

Step away from the car !! Unfortunately BMW "rushed" to get the Mini re-launched and owners are seeing the pitfalls :(

Which header tank do you mean, the Radiator or Power steering tank?

Radiator expansion tank should ONLY contain a coolant mix and the power steering tank should ONLY contain ATF oil ;)

[bodster]

The water coolant reservoir has a little bit of nearly clean oil in bottom and no water at all, car just had a new gearbox so wondering if its been topped up by accident with power steering fluid but its black/brown and sure ps fluid is red?

[bodster]

Sorry yeh it's bottle at back that is clear/white that has black oil in bottom, rest of bottle seems clean

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

I understand... Maybe it is residue from a past cylinder-head overhaul? I mean a gasket changed without draining all fluids could cause accidental cross-contamination.

Why not flush it thru for your own peace of mind? I would matey ;)

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

I forgot to pick up on the steering noise... Excessive noise on full-lock (and rolling) maybe caused by a worn rack/valves (internally), or air in the system (unlikely). HTH ;)