2008 E60 530d - Engine noise in the power steering pump area on warm

Maho · Jun 19, 2015

Hi guys,

I have a noise in the power steering pump area on warm engine, I don't have it the first 15 minutes of drive after a cold start..
It's a pulley type noise I think, it makes some "gring gring gring".
It's mostly hearable from the front left side od the car.

Here is a video from under the hood with the engine warm and idling :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEF65Em06o4

I changed the two idler (deflection) pulleys, the tensioner pulley with its spring unit and the two belts. But the noise is still there.

I'm starting to think it might be the power steering pump itself because when the car is turning a lot and going fast enough for the pump the have to give a lot of pressure (because of the return to center force), the noise decreases and almost disapears. The noise comes back as the car returns to straight forward (pump in bypass mode). Here is a video of that test :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOuJQMYSV-E

I have no other steering issues at all, turns great no noises.
It could be that the pump is noisy when warm and in bypass mode ?

My car has the CO2 package. From what I have understood, it a serie of measures to decrease fuel consumption.
It has a specific power steering pump (marked CO2 package on realoem).
Maybe the power steering fluid has also a low viscosity, too low for the pump to be quiet after 7 years and 140 000 km.
I heard also that the dealer may add some additive to thicker the fluid (and make it more lubricant ?) to quiet the pump.
It might be a good solution if the pump is just noisy and not totally worn out.

What do you think guys?

Thanks,

Marko

snowblind · Jun 19, 2015

If this only happens when the engine is warm, its not something simple like the radiator fan snagging on something is it? You'll only notice it when the ancillary fan kicks in say when you are sat idling in traffic for a while.

Maho · Jun 19, 2015

@snowblind

Thank you for you answer,

I would like it to be something simple, but what ? I don't think it's the radiator fan snagging on something because :
- The noise starts from around 75°C (engine temp via secret menu) whereas the fan kicks in at 98°C
- The noise never stops whereas the fan kicks in at 98°C, lowers the engine temp to 95°C, then stops until the engine has reached 98°C again
But just to be sure, I'll check that this afternoon and I'll report back.

Maho · Jun 19, 2015

It's not the fan, I saw it stopped (not turning) while having the noise.

snowblind · Jun 19, 2015

OK. At least that's one thing ruled out.

Maho · Jul 4, 2015

I went to a dealer to show them the noise and see what they say.

The guy working there said that this noise is normal. It is due to the pieces in movement, maybe power steering pump or Alternator he said.
I asked him if all these cars do the same noise, he said yes.

But I don't hear the same noise on other cars on the street. Maybe they do it too but not as loud as mine.
So I will just leave it like this and go on holidays. I'll see when I come back.

Next steps would be :
- Take out the belt and start briefly the car to see if the noise is there or not. If not there it means that it is coming from something turned by the belt (power steering pump, alternator or water pump)
- See if there is too much play with these elements
- If I am still thinking it is the power steering pump, maybe a fluid change to see if that helps.
- Finally change the power steering pump if I can't bear the noise anymore.

Have a nice day guys,

lockerman1 · May 8, 2016

how have you got on with your engine, mine as started and its the same noise, be interested to hear if you have solved the problem

2008 E60 530d - Engine noise in the power steering pump area on warm

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