Power steering whine anyone?

Hello!

Every now and then the power steering seems to whine and when you rev the whine goes with it if you know what I mean (gets louder and higher). Usually happens when the cars relatively cold when your parking or something. Any ideas what this might be if it's a fault or is it a common thing>?

Cheers,
Paul

P.s Car is 1994 E36 320i 4dr Saloon 142k

Hi

Have you checked your power steering fluid level? may need flushing

mine wines when the wheel is in full lock... so im hoping that its normal... and im guessing the loudness in whining is getting louder due to increased speed?

better awsk someone more knowledgeable in here tho

check your fluid level. When mine was whining really bad I just chalked it up to a cold engine until it happened several times. Turned out I had a leak in my hose and couldn't keep fluid in - if I had waited any longer it could've burned out my pump.

I am having that too. Seems to be common for the clip under the steering fluid reservoir to fail. Aparaently, you could solve the problem by replacing them with the type with the screw n the side. Also, remember to fill up with ATF, not PS fluid.

Good call, I'll have a look in a bit and report my findings.
Cheers
Paul

Does your PS whine when you turn the wheel/get worse when you turn the wheel?

Yep

Was dark so had to look by mobile phone light but seems the fluid is very low and doesnt even touch the dipstick so I'll get some tomorrow. Thanks for all the replies.

Check the unit for leaks, the e36 pump is prone to them

Every BMW i have had or been in whines when it is on full lock...is a characteristic

On very cold days -10 or more, My power steering is loud. It's happened about 4-5 times this winter and goes away about 10 mins after driving.

Topped up all sorted! Thanking you