Q: I have a 1997 bmw 3 series, and the oil for the power steering is leaking. I think i can take care of it myself, but can anyone give me a few pointers, or a walkthrough?
A: Check the power steering belt with engine off to see if it might be too tight or loose , plus check the base and mount of the power steering pump for any leaks, also check to see if you can see any leaks or moister at the base of the pumps pulley bec that tell you the pump itself needs replacing.One more common problem is that the pumps hose or hose clamps are leaking, if you do end up changing any hoses be sure to replace them with new clamps always.Make sure you trace both ends of the hoses and check for leaks or hoses too soft or cracked etc. Try also running the vehicle with the low fluid level in the power steering pump and listening to the pump , then add to proper level and listen to the pump bec that basically can tell you that the pump itself is going.Usually if the sound starts to be the same even when pump has full levels of fluids that means time soon to change pump. Hope that helps and best of luck.By the way check under the vehicle after parking on dry surfaces to see if you can spot any such leakage and if you call around to the big do it yourself etc auto wreckers I'm sure you can find a good used pump or the whole assembly cheap if you need it too.