E30 1990 320I steering rack issue.

[e30nz]

Hey,

Just picked up a mint E30 off an old Grandma, Only nana'd 120,000 KMS!!
My only issue is that my steering rack spills more oil than i can fill. Hard to see where the leaks come from. But there is oil up high under the res it must start there but not sure if it leaks from lower down as well. Its not like extremely wet up high unlike the under body thats always dripping. Any suggestions on what i should do? If i should just take it to the garage or do something myself.

Cheers.

[ELVA164]

First off, welcome and nice find!

I'm not sure about availability in New Zealand, but a rebuilt rack would be the way to go. If you can, find an E36 rack for an upgrade in quickness. You can use the E30 lines with it, they may just require a little bending to match. You should also replace the reservoir and the low pressure lines because there's a filter in the reservoir that's non-serviceable. There's a DIY in that section of the forum.

[SubDad]

My reservoir hoses leaked at the top and the fluid ran down the underside of the lines and dripped off the pump and rack. What looked like an expensive Really Bad Thing cleared up entirely with a new reservoir and hoses.

I hope you are similarly lucky!

[TobyB]

Yah, time to take off the reservoir first. The hoses get really hard, the reservoir gets
brittle, things crack...

t

[e30nz]

Yah, time to take off the reservoir first. The hoses get really hard, the reservoir gets
brittle, things crack...

t

Just doesnt seem like oil is leaking from there, All the pipes are dry but its soaking above the all over the rack so it must be higher or just everywhere haha..

[jalopi]

Yeah, that mileage is a bit low for one of the rack seals to have gone. 24 year old car with an average of oil change mileage each year? My guess is leaky hoses.

[SubDad]

Casually wipe off everything; rack, pump, hoses and reservoir.
Carefully clean a section of each hose (front, back and sides) a convenient distance below the reservoir where you can inspect it.
Check that section after a decent interval (overnight should do it) and before starting the engine. I bet a cookie that the clean sections will exhibit a trail of oil coming down from above.

[e30nz]

Casually wipe off everything; rack, pump, hoses and reservoir.
Carefully clean a section of each hose (front, back and sides) a convenient distance below the reservoir where you can inspect it.
Check that section after a decent interval (overnight should do it) and before starting the engine. I bet a cookie that the clean sections will exhibit a trail of oil coming down from above.

Gave that a go. Very hard to get at the hoses that are wet. I think one of the hoses are just stuffed so hopefully the mechanics will check that out.

Regards.

[jalopi]

Local parts stores should have a fluid dye that works with PS fluid. Get yourself an ultraviolet light and a pair of yellow tinted glasses and look for that leak.

[e30nz]

Local parts stores should have a fluid dye that works with PS fluid. Get yourself an ultraviolet light and a pair of yellow tinted glasses and look for that leak.

I am in new Zealand. I dont have $500 spare for a UV light, Dye and glasses.

[e30nz]

Sooo,
UPDATE!

I took it down to the local garage and the guys down there were most helpful. Its actually the pump thats stuffed :(. Everything else is completely fine.

Now lets find a pump :)

[jalopi]

uuhhhh.... how the hell does a $30 product bundle turn into $500? I'm assuming NZ doesn't have the currency exchange rate of, say, Nambia or something. Also, shipping a 3lb box shouldn't be that expensive...

maybe I'm wrong though - if I am, then the situation in kiwiland is very sad sir.



On the upside, if it's the pump leaking, maybe a rebuild kit would do the trick? Hopefully that's not like, a grand after exchange rates and shipping

[e30nz]

uuhhhh.... how the hell does a $30 product bundle turn into $500? I'm assuming NZ doesn't have the currency exchange rate of, say, Nambia or something. Also, shipping a 3lb box shouldn't be that expensive...

maybe I'm wrong though - if I am, then the situation in kiwiland is very sad sir.



On the upside, if it's the pump leaking, maybe a rebuild kit would do the trick? Hopefully that's not like, a grand after exchange rates and shipping

1NZD is .8 -.9 USD. Given we are an island nation of 4 million shipping isnt cheap given distance and logistics. We dont really come across bulk stores like the US where Walmart will have 10,000 of everything i could imagine plus that again.. So it isnt easy to come by these sorts of products every day. On the upside, A rebuild kit im not too sure where to find them but weight is what kills postage here as everything is air freight.. If you can advise..

Cheers

[e30nz]

So another update!!

I found the leak to be on the pump itself. A great local guy that's also a E30 fanatic came over and helped me out under pure good will. My Kudos to him! Also got the engine degreased and a new rocker cover gasket in place. Looking sharp now. Look out all will have this car Mint soon! Be expecting a write up.

[jalopi]

so.... you guys really pay like, $450 for shipping a 2lb box?