4.8is Power Steering Fluid Change Pics

[SlickGT1]

Yea I didn't say you bleed the brakes from the top, and no this is not the same logic here.

I am also not using Bav Autos advice as to how to proceed with this. This is how I know I can do it easy.

The author in that article doesn't like the turkey baster because it drips. Like I said earlier, I myself prefer the transfer pump.

The author in that article also states that you can't contaminate the pulleys or the belts. That is going to happen if you get under the 4.8. There is no way in hell you will be able to remove those hoses without it spraying on the belts and pulleys. Maybe disconnecting from the cooler, but again I really don't know, or care to experiment. I actually don't know if you will be able to just remove the hose at all, without removing a bunch of other stuff in the way.

Like I said earlier. I don't mind using the pump, once every weekend for 5 minutes. In about a year, or whenever I get to it, I'll change that reservoir. But by then my fluid will be that much newer. And I won't be subjecting myself to contortion acts under the car, dropping a 30lb brace, followed by Pentosin to the face. What the hell was BMW thinking when they made that brace anyway? Why are the nuts not welded to the subframe? That's a rant for another time.

Yea all in all, I say this doesn't hurt, and better than doing nothing. Especially when you hear people doing this method, and steering improving drastically. So just do this, and you will be better of than not doing it.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by PropellerHead

I think you're the one who first mentioned a baster.

The OP used a pump- just as in the second method in the link you posted. He also does not say that the method started by the OP- and then taken a step further by the rest- is any more than 'theoretically' less effective than the ''optimal' method. Further, to insist that a second source that is also not affiliated with BMW lends any more credit than another is simply not up to task..

Two points

First, by blaster I refer to any method that involves sucking the fluid out of the reservoir and not draining it. That method is widely referred to as the turkey blaster method, whatever kind of pump or siphon bulb is used

Secondly, I am not insisting that the article I posted is more credible. I will leave it to other mechanics to decide for themselves which they prefer based on tHeir own analysis of the methods

[JCL]

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

Yea I didn't say you bleed the brakes from the top, and no this is not the same logic here.

I never suggested you would bleed brakes from the top. We can maybe agree that that would be silly, as you would simply be removing fluid from the reservoir, then adding new fluid, and not actually draining from the bottom where all the crap sits.

The power steering rack is not part of the power steering fluid flow, in that your fresh fluid that is added doesn't flow through it and back to the reservoir, it is much more like a dead end. The fluid in the rack sits there waiting for the rack to be cycled left to right. That is why you keep seeing dirty fluid. There is some mixing, but it isn't like an automatic transmission, where all the fluid is circulating and thus mixing.

The logic works fine. Same theory could be applied to changing engine coolant one litre at a time. Wouldn't be as good as draining the coolant, though.

All I am saying is that if you are going to change the fluid, it makes sense to drain the old fluid out. I fully understand that it is harder. Most worthwhile things are.

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by JCL

First, by blaster I refer to any method that involves sucking the fluid out of the reservoir and not draining it. That method is widely referred to as the turkey blaster method, whatever kind of pump or siphon bulb is used

But in the link you provided, you said that the author wrote of trouble with the baster when no one else had mentioned one as the tool they use. This was the second time you mentioned a baster:

Originally Posted by JCL

Not surprisingly, the author has concerns about the turkey baster method.

But the author in the link you provide actually differentiates the baster as a completely different, non-preferred method. In fact, he endorses the very different method that the OP uses with a syringe or a gear oil pump- not a baster.

:snip:
The "Simple Flush"

The simplest solution to flush the power steering fluid is as follows.

Optionally, jack up the front end.
Use a syringe or gear oil pump to remove the fluid from the reservoir. Don't use a baster because they don't seal well enough and tend to drip fluid all over the place If you need evidence, the picture at the top of this article shows the results of using a baster.
:/snip:

One point:

You can't have it both ways. It's either common and so referred- especially in links you provide to further your point- or it's not.

[SlickGT1]

Originally Posted by JCL

I never suggested you would bleed brakes from the top. We can maybe agree that that would be silly, as you would simply be removing fluid from the reservoir, then adding new fluid, and not actually draining from the bottom where all the crap sits.

The power steering rack is not part of the power steering fluid flow, in that your fresh fluid that is added doesn't flow through it and back to the reservoir, it is much more like a dead end. The fluid in the rack sits there waiting for the rack to be cycled left to right. That is why you keep seeing dirty fluid. There is some mixing, but it isn't like an automatic transmission, where all the fluid is circulating and thus mixing.

The logic works fine. Same theory could be applied to changing engine coolant one litre at a time. Wouldn't be as good as draining the coolant, though.

All I am saying is that if you are going to change the fluid, it makes sense to drain the old fluid out. I fully understand that it is harder. Most worthwhile things are.

Right, I agree on all of this. The point being, is it really worthwhile to go through all the trouble, and maybe cause more issues and problems by going through the lines. That is what it comes down to. You can do it either way, I just prefer, to not get dirty, oily, risk contaminating my brand new belts and pulleys, along with my just cleaned engine. It is just makes more sense for me to drain and fill. It really doesn't bother me to do it 5 times. And later on replacing the reservoir, there will be that much cleaner fluid in there.

We can beat this issue to death. Unless someone shows me a decent way of removing the lines, I am not going to experiment. I was under the engine when they did my mounts, it really thought about doing it then, but it is a cluster of hoses down there, that removing anything will be a massive pain in the ass. Getting a new belt in there almost made me start throwing shit. I don't even want to imagine trying to get that line off. And then back on.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by PropellerHead

But in the link you provided, you said that the author wrote of trouble with the baster when no one else had mentioned one as the tool they use. This was the second time you mentioned a baster

But the author in the link you provide actually differentiates the baster as a completely different, non-preferred method. In fact, he endorses the very different method that the OP uses with a syringe or a gear oil pump- not a baster.

You can't have it both ways. It's either common and so referred- especially in links you provide to further your point- or it's not.

Gotta love Apple's spell check. Baster, not blaster. Sorry about that.

Again, by baster (or pump) I am simply referring to only removing fluid from the reservoir. Both of the first two methods in the link I provided used a pump, they differed in that in the second method the system was drained after the reservoir was emptied. It is the draining that is key, and cycling the rack from side to side to get all the old fluid out, and not the choice of tool (whether baster or pump).

[JCL]

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

Right, I agree on all of this. The point being, is it really worthwhile to go through all the trouble, and maybe cause more issues and problems by going through the lines.

Agree completely. That is what it really comes down to. In my opinion, it is worthwhile.

[tmv]

SlickGT1 and PropellerHead, lets do it our way and enjoy while JCL is working on replacing his.

[smith.jd26]

Ok.. so this may be a stupid question but is there a proper level to refill the reservoir? I haven't had a chance to check it out because it was dark when i got home from work ... but any help is greatly appreciated on this.

Thanks guys.

D

[JCL]

Look at the last photo in the first post. The cap has a dipstick on it. Make sure you cycle the steering left to right and then recheck it.