Power Steering Hose Life
 

My X5 is in the shop right now because of a service engine soon light.

I received a call saying all three of my power steering hoses are starting to leak and they need to be replaced . . . for $1100

My extended warranty through National Warranty doesn't cover hoses.

Purchased in 11/04, Model year 2005
X5 3.0i
37k Miles

Is this normal for the life of these hoses? I am in Houston, I know it's hot but the vehicle is garaged at home and work.

it's pretty common to replace pressure hose at 50K-60K miles. normally the leaking isn't bad. not even dripping. just the hose is a bit wet.

as for the other hoses(non-pressure hose), it rarely leaks thru hose itself. it's the hose clamps(to the fluid reservoir) that is the culprit. you might be able to replace the clamps to stop leaking on them.

try to ask if BMW can give you a goodwill repair since it's less than an year after your original warranty expires and your car is still under 50K miles.

is a goodwill repair something they would do?

I took the vehicle in to be serviced in October, right before my factory warranty expired, and told them to fix whatever they could. Is it reasonable to assume they wouldn't have been able to notice the problem then, but they can now?

In regard to your last sentence, welcome to BMW service.

Yes they know all about goodwill repair. Your chances of getting it are better if you get the work done at the same dealer from which you bought the car. Otherwise flyingmachine is right, hose clamps are the culprit more often then not. High pressure hose would go first. If there is no obvious drip (which btw you might not see on your driveway, because of the large plastic shroud below your engine) then I'd wait on it. Just check the fluid level regularly.

I will ask about the goodwill repair, I didn't purchase the vehicle from this dealer but I have been taking it to the same dealer and had the same service adviser for the past 3 years.

If they don't want to cover it, I will wait on it and check the fluid whenever I get gas. I'd rather not spend the money right now.

Thanks for all of the help!

If you check it that often be careful not to introduce dirt into the system and use a lint free cloth.

Interesting, I took my '05 (35k mi) in last weekend for something else and they spotted leaking hoses, too. They replaced them under warranty, but seems like it is kind of soon and I had no idea it was that expensive!

I went into the dealer and looked at the hoses, they were in fact leaking so I ended up having them replaced. I didn't think it would be that apparent considering I hadn't noticed any changes in sounds from the power steering pump or any fluid on the ground.

Hoses on my early 2005 model were replaced under warranty (previous owner) at around 45k-ish miles.

This summer i replaced 4 hoses, and now it was time for the hose number 3 in the below picture (2 hoses making a u shape)... I was quoted 270USD at the dealer, so i took it to someone who does presure hoses for caterpilars, cars, etc... and he replaced the hoses for me and the little copper valves in the middle of the two hoses...

The car is steering nice and smooth, with the normal wine when still... so basically nothing special, and all for 100USD! do you think it was a smart thing to do?