Whining noise with fan on when turning steering wheel right

DooD · #1 01-31-2011, 08:48 AM

Hey everyone,

I just started experiencing some noise when I have my fan on and I turn the steering wheel to the right. It sounds like a squeel/whining type of noice.

When I turn the fan off and turn right, the sound goes away.

Would anyone know what might be wrong?

Thanks for any help.

sidewayz · #2 02-02-2011, 11:57 AM

I have the same problem. Can anyone help?

Clockwork · #3 02-05-2011, 04:56 AM

have you checked the power steering fluid level?
just a thought.
I know with my 8, if I have the pentosin level low, my power steering acts up and plays havoc with belts/pulleys and makes awful sounds

1stE53 · #4 02-05-2011, 06:52 AM

Wow, this has been bugging me all winter. It is happening in my Mercedes, and only in weather < -5 dec C. It makes me nervous when I get any type of weird sound on that car. It sucks to work on vs. BMW.
Clockwork, you mention steering fluid being low - if it isn't low but old, would that cause the same issue?

o. l. t. · #5 02-05-2011, 10:31 AM

Is it in the dash or under the hood? If under the hood it's just your main belt. The fan draws current from the alternator and makes it work harder. A cold belt is prone to slip. Put the two together and the lack of surface grip combined with increased load on the alt slowing the pulley is just enough so once you turn the power steering and load that pulley the belt starts to slip.

Remedy #1- replace your aging belt.
Remedy #2- buy a special spray that is for making your belt stick to the pulleys better.
Remedy #3- have your tensioner tested to see if it is producing proper load.

blktoptrvl · #6 02-05-2011, 12:53 PM

I get the same noise... It is something in the interior climate control fan. For me it is noisy until I turn right.

I recently looked up what it will take to replace the fan (because it sounds like bearings to me) and the fan replacement is a incredibly involved job. I may have to just live with it for a while unless someone knows of a easier way to get to the fan.

Clockwork · #7 02-05-2011, 12:59 PM

I agree with o.l.t
replace a belt first (and even if its not the belt, its cheap and easy)
this will also help you find out if the belt tensioner is worn.

personally, i;'ve read bad reviews about belt sprays causing premature drying/cracking of the belts.

My friend has a few MB's and he keeps telling me how much of a pain they are to work on compared to BMW's and the small support group online comapre to BMW's.

BLKTOPTRVL: if if IS your fan blower, you're in for a world of repairs. its hidden very well behind the dashboard (by firewall) and it is difficult to get to.
I pray its not that.

n_sievers · #8 02-05-2011, 01:30 PM

This is actually the hvac fan and just the side motion of turning the steering wheel causes it to go away briefly. I have been tolerating this whenever it gets cold for 2 years now as to replace the fan motor you must remove the entire dash assembly.....major undertaking.

DooD · #9 02-06-2011, 08:36 AM

I am going to try the ATF fluid sometime this week to see if that is the cause.

If it is the HVAC fan/motor....would that be covered under CPO warranty?

Clockwork · #10 02-06-2011, 04:23 PM

1stE53, power steering fluid, just like brake fuild, is hygroscopic.
So it will build up water in the system over time. SO both of those fluids should be changed every 2 years.
cheap and fast.

BUT since most (if not all) Bimmers use either pentosin fluid (older cars) or atf in the power steering system, I do not think it will absorb water. The fluids can get old and break down, after all it is like any other fluid (system), it will get dirty.

I'd try emptying the atf using a turkey baster from the reservoir. fill, drive a day and repeat step again. thats less messy approach and you will get most of the older fluid out.
BUT if you want to do a flush out, I'd recommend you do this while the SAV has its front end jacked up on stands.
Big issue is, you will induce air into the system and as you turn the steering wheel (lock to lock, 3 times) to remove the air, while car is sitting on the ground, the air will go through the pump, during its escape, and the pimp will air lock for a moment. You can easily break your ps pump.
BUT if there is no pressure on the steering wheel pump as you turn the wheels freely (cause they are jacked up), the the pump sees no load increase and you will not risk damaging the pump.

sorry for a small DIY here, but its necessary to know the dangers of a flush and fill, if done improperly.