How much volume of power steering fluid do we have in the E39?
 

How much, in total, power steering fluid is there in our E39s.

I scoured the Bentley and owners manual and didn't see this information.

Here is what I have so far in the E39 fluids summary.

What else do we need to say about power steering fluid?

- Power steering: Dexron III ATF (realistically, Dexron VI ATF because Dexron III certification is no longer available from GM) Bentley page 020-20. [Volume: It has been said to be just under 2 quarts; I used about a quart to flush twice just my power steering reservoir using a turkey baster to remove fluids out the top.] Note: I6=rack and pinion attached to an aluminum subframe, V8=recirculating ball and nut attached to a steel subframe. Replacement Interval: Bentley says it's "permanently filled"; but most of us would suction out and refill the reservoir with about a quart of fluid every few years because it's a hygroscopic fluid and the permanent filter on the bottom of the reservoir doesn't prevent the fluid from becoming dirty. Some even replace the reservoir in order to have a new filter. Most also replace or cut off the tip of the bottom hoses whose clamp often allows leaks.

Bluebee be sure to check your hose clamps these come loose. Sorry no aNSWER TO THE PSF VOLUME.\
Like to see the solution to your oil change post (PM me if you prefer).

Slightly less than 2 quarts.

OK. I put "just under 2 quarts" in the tribal knowledge fluids summary (but how did you know?).

Is there a chart somewhere?

BTW, this 4-page BMW AG TIS on the power steering is invaluable as to which fluids are certified by BMW.

Here's an interesting excerpt from this web page:
Prior to the advent of BMW Free Scheduled Maintenance, approximate BMW maintenance recommendations were: automatic transmission fluid (ATF) and filter changes every 15,000 miles, manual gearbox and differential oil changes every 30,000 miles, annual brake fluid changes, and coolant changes every two years. Spark plugs, air filter, and fuel filters were typically replaced every 30,000 miles on most BMWs (this is a tune-up) except M cars up to 1995, which got new spark plugs and a valve adjustment every 15,000. Later advances in computer engine management and spark plug technology legitimately allow 60,000-mile spark plug life if not more.
...
But once BMW began paying for scheduled maintenance, lo and behold the "schedule" was revised. Now the cars hardly need any maintenance at all. The 1,200-mile break-in service was done away with except for M cars. Engine oil suddenly lasts 15,000 miles (dealers are supposed to use BMW synthetic oil). Manual gearbox and differential oil? No worries there – now BMW says they NEVER need to be changed; it's "lifetime fill." Brake fluid and coolant service intervals were doubled with no change in the original BMW brake fluid and anti-freeze dealers are supposed to use.
...
Power Steering Fluid:
Replace every 30,000 miles. This is a very neglected operating fluid. Almost all BMWs use automatic transmission fluid in the power steering system, except for some E32 7 Series cars, which use Pentosin hydraulic oil. Nothing will balls up the works faster than using one when you should be using the other. Check the sticker on the reservoir, check the owner's manual, and if you are still confused, take the car to a pro or e-mail me. It is not necessary to evacuate the entire power steering system. I just open a line down by the pump.
I have had great experience using Red Line Synthetic Power Steering Fluid – 184,000 miles and counting on the original rack and pinion unit and pump on the vehicle I used to test this product. But I would not use it in place of Pentosin hydraulic oil where that product is specified.

In case you are wondering, in the owners manual, it doesn't show where the marks are on the power steering reservoir cap ... so this thread covered it just today.

Here is the description:

1. "The fluid level should be in between the marks on the dipstick"
2. "On a stationary engine top up the fluid reservoir to the MAX mark on dipstick"

To replace:
- Turkey baster (or syringe) to suck PS fluid out in a container.
- Do this until it the reservoir is dry and you can see the white at the bottom
- Fill with your favorite PS fluid (Dexron-III - but realistically, Dexron VI since III is no longer certified by GM)
- Start engine, turn the steering all the way R and L a few times to expel any air.
- Shut the engine.
- Repeat this cycles a few times so most of the fluid is fresh.

The Complex way is via the steering rack line disconnect but that is more labor, so keep it simple as above.
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/att...1&d=1294377435

Exactly 2.275413 Litres, I would double check but Wapner is on in ten minutes. Im an excellent driver. :)

bluebee,

The pic I posted above was taken from the Internet and I believed was labeled reverse MIN vs MAX!
Courtesy of Bentley (or at least it looks like it is from Bentley) LOL!!!

This is from E36/E46, all the detail is in there:
http://www.dvatp.com/bmw/diy/power_steering_flush/

Here's another pic ... just in case:
- Did I use the wrong PSF (Dexron II not Dexron III)???

http://klinquist.smugmug.com/photos/...98_Jkwiv-M.jpg
http://klinquist.smugmug.com/photos/...02_JP4m2-M.jpg

As an xref, QSilver7 references the BMW TIS for acceptable power steering fluids here.

BMW Pwr Steering ATF Fluid Type-List.pdf
http://www.bimmerboard.org/members/q...0Type-List.pdf

For the record, THIS is not an acceptable power steering fluid (my mistake early on in my BMW life)!
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/att...1&d=1256609754

While I'm at it, Doru suggested today we modify our habits to include a power steering fluid reservoir replacement with every oil change, and I concur (here is my more recent attempt at replacing my power steering fluid, which was about half a quart of Dexron VI as Dexron III is no longer legally certified by GM).
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/att...4&d=1275073680

Also, if you're leaking fluid on the oil cap, I suggest you replace the o-ring whenever you replace your two lower oil filter housing o-rings (every few years) as I show below:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/att...3&d=1275073680

And, every few years, check and repair your leaking under reservoir hose as cn90 shows below:
http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/cn/E39-PSHose.jpg

And, check the power steering pump hose for leaks as I show below:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/att...1&d=1292550839

Here are what appears to be our latest set of recommendations:

• Every oil change, suction out about 8 ounces (250 ml) of the power steering fluid and replace with Dexron VI ATF
• Every five years (or so), when you replace the two lower oil-filter stem o-rings, also remove the T20 Torx bolt holding down the circular screen filter in the bottom of the power steering fluid reservoir and flush with gasoline (off the vehicle!) to clean the screen
• Likewise, also replace the o-ring in the power steering fluid reservoir cap at the time you replace the two lower o-rings in the oil filter stem

BTW, I thought the power steering fluid reservoir held about half a quart at any one time, according to my initial tests ...

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/att...1&d=1274304513

So, today, I decided to measure the results to confirm:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/att...1&d=1302922018

I suctioned out of my M54 about 8 ounces (250 ml) of Dexron VI:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/att...1&d=1302921457

Then, I removed the T20 Torx bolt with a magnetized driver:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/att...1&d=1302921759

Which enabled me to tilt the screen to see how it looked in situ:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/att...1&d=1302921282

For the record, here are the relevant threads in the VERY best of E39 Links.

- How to clean the power steering fluid reservoir internal filter (1) & how to replace the cap o-ring (1) (2) & why you want to fix the power steering hose drip onto the alternator (1) (2) (3) & how to debug PSP power steering pump noises (1) (2) (3) or steering rack noises (1) & a nice power steering pump autopsy photo (1) & how to flush fix cloudy ATF fluid (1) (2) and what PS fluid to use (1) (2) & DIYs to replace the power steering hoses (1) (2) (3) (4) (5).

For the cross-link record, recently it was asked how to 'drain' the power steering (rather than just suction out the fluid in the reservoir):
- HELP!!! Power steering pump drain plug locatation for bleeding

In that thread, JimLev kindly clarified that the I6 does 'not' have a drain bolt on the power steering pump itself, but the V8 does.

For the record, Jimmys 530i kindly confirmed the 2-quart volume for the power steering fluid:
- HELP!!! Power steering pump drain plug locatation for bleeding

And, Vetaid replaced 'all' his powersteering fluid using the following method:
- E39 (1997 - 2003) > HELP!!! Power steering pump drain plug locatation for bleeding

For the cross linked record, I just updated the power steering fluid section of the E39 one-page glovebox fluids printout:
- DIY Glovebox & Bentley supplement: 1-page summary of the dozen recommended E39 fluids

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...nge/3FC_02.jpg

A very important thread opened today discussing why it's so important to CLEAN the power steering reservoir filter periodically!
- E39 (1997 - 2003) > 2002 E39 525i - Power steering whine solved in detail

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/att...7&d=1312662944

For the cross-linked record, according to Edgy36-39 today ...
- E39 (1997 - 2003) > How to check power steering fluid

I am going to replace my reservoir.
What hose clamps should I order for the 2 hoses underneath, after I cut/reseat them?

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...23&hg=32&fg=20

http://www.autohausaz.com/search/gro...ering%20System

http://www.autohausaz.com/search/pro...3@Hose%20Clamp

Use only auto transmission fluid. I learned the hard way about putting in an expensive power steering fluid claimed safe for European cars that was supposedly a seal conditioner, pump revitalizer and at $18 a liter it had to be good right? WRONG!!! It boiled like the witch's caldron immediately and shot all over the engine compartment. It was a major brand name product when all the car wants is dex III or IV. I don't know if I would even use redline. I question it's use in this application. Just use A/T fluid as has been said multiple times. No additives necessary and may do more damage. I have V8 so I drain, fill, drive 10 miles, drain, fill, drive 10 miles, drain, fill and keep driving knowing I have exchanged almost 100% of the fluid. Don't known what difference it makes how much it holds because you are going to buy like 5 quarts for the multiple fill/drain procedure and if you have a bottle left or you need to get another bottle, who cares? A bottle of trans fluid on the shelf will get used eventually and save another trip to the store.

Since you have a V8, you should have a drain plug on the bottom of your P/S pump. This allows you to drain most of the fluid in one shot. You get a much more effective fluid change, and you only need to buy 2 quarts of Dex-VI.

Word, I wish the I6's had the drain bolt at the bottom of the power-steering pump like the V8's have...

Like my post said, "since I have a V8 I DRAIN, Refill, Drive". I did not mention a turkey baster once. :thumbup:

Is there any way to "flush" the PS fluid more efficiently than repeatedly siphoning fluid from the reservoir?
There are 2 hoses going into the bottom of the reservoir? Is one of them a return hose?
Can I pop that one off and start the car, and just point the return hose into a plastic bottle until the new red fluid starts coming through?
Then, I could reattach it, and just refill the reservoir. Can this work? Seems faster and cheaper and more effective.

Sure can. You can pull a hose at the pump and get most all out. System is self-bleeding in that all you have to do is refill, turn wheel full left then right- lock to lock and keep adding fluid as it goes down. By doing it three times at the pump with the drain plug, I am pretty confident I got 98% new in there. you will too!