Mini one PAS problem

wijcc · 18 Sep 2012 at 17:18

Hi all,

My friend has a 2003 Mini One 1.6 petrol manual, in the past week and a bit on two occasions as she has been driving the PAS has stopped working. After stopping and switching the engine off then restarting the engine the PAS started working again. I have read that Minis' has a problem with its Power Steering Pump (PSP), does this sound like the PSP on her car is on it way out or could it be something else like the power steering relay?

Thanks in advance guys

Zack101 · 18 Sep 2012 at 20:13

Yes that will be the pump. Very very unlikely to be anything else.

allllec · 18 Sep 2012 at 22:31

Wasn't there a feature about this on Watchdog? Might be worth doing some research in case its covered by a recall or can be done with a goodwill discount or something?

eatcustard · 19 Sep 2012 at 09:43

Gen 1, first editions have PAS problems, its time to replace it.

wijcc · 19 Sep 2012 at 15:04

Thanks for the replies guys.

West · 20 Sep 2012 at 03:24

eatcustard said:
Gen 1, first editions have PAS problems, its time to replace it.

This.

Reconditioned units are available at a reasonable price iirc.

--Mike-- · 20 Sep 2012 at 08:01

Same symptoms that mine had when it was going.

wijcc · 20 Sep 2012 at 16:13

They seem to be going for £220 for reconditioned ones on the popular auction site, providing your return your old one.
On GSF and euro car parts they are going for £360~ providing you return your old one.
How many hours labour do you think it will take at a garage to fit a new PSP?

thanks again guys.

Defcon5 · 23 Sep 2012 at 11:30

--Mike-- said:
Same symptoms that mine had when it was going.

Is the pulley your only mod? How are you finding it? Any temperature issues?

@ op, when I changed mine I got it from BBA

Skeeter · 23 Sep 2012 at 11:48

Throwing in a curve ball, my GFs 02 Cooper kept doing this, and also would randomly switch off and on again occasionally. Turned out to be a faulty battery. Might be worth just getting it checked before forking out for a PAS pump?

--Mike-- · 23 Sep 2012 at 13:07

Defcon5 said:
Is the pulley your only mod? How are you finding it? Any temperature issues?

@ op, when I changed mine I got it from BBA

Nah, various bits and bobs. The charger was on the way out so I got a brand new teflon one last year and had a new 17% pulley put on again. Bigger intercooler, Dave.F air box, strutbraces, coilovers, rear control arms, R53 Works brakes, probably some other bits and bobs too.

I've not got a scanguage but all seems good. Made 192whp on the rollers. May change to a R56 but worried about carbon buildup and I'd miss the whine!!

Hamish · 23 Sep 2012 at 13:28

I thought that all new minis had electric power steering so no pump?
If so then guess it could be ECU, motor sensor or motor problem?

edit. maybe not: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/watchdog/2009/02/mini_steering_system_failures.html

Defcon5 · 23 Sep 2012 at 14:48

--Mike-- said:
Nah, various bits and bobs. The charger was on the way out so I got a brand new teflon one last year and had a new 17% pulley put on again. Bigger intercooler, Dave.F air box, strutbraces, coilovers, rear control arms, R53 Works brakes, probably some other bits and bobs too.

I've not got a scanguage but all seems good. Made 192whp on the rollers. May change to a R56 but worried about carbon buildup and I'd miss the whine!!

Ah ok. The gift has an r53 (same colour as yours!) and i was considering a pulley.

Why does everyone measure mini bhp at the wheels? Will that be about 210 at the fly?

--Mike-- · 23 Sep 2012 at 15:29

Defcon5 said:
Ah ok. The gift has an r53 (same colour as yours!) and i was considering a pulley.

Why does everyone measure mini bhp at the wheels? Will that be about 210 at the fly?

It's definitely a worthwhile mod, and you can get away with the standard intercooler with a 15% pulley so it can be nice and cheap to do. Coastal Racing are probably nearest to your location too.

Not sure why it's mostly whp, perhaps it's the dyno used or a better way of comparing figures since it's the value hitting the road after losses. Supposedly around 210 to 220bhp I think mine equates to.

SAM81 · 23 Sep 2012 at 18:42

My girlfriends pas pump failed. I argues with a mini main dealer that this was a know fault and they should contribute to the cost. After much discussion I finally got they to pay half the cost. From what I read its quite a common fault.