Steering fluid mixed in rough idling

[tommyb]

Hi everyone and I have 3 questions:

1. need to add some power steering fluid, the cap says ATF does anyone knows the difference between regular fluids and ATF for steering; I know ATF is a tranny fuild; are they the same; can it be substituted.

2. when cold starting, engine is very rough sounds like missing, once the temp pass the blue it runs great. changed spark plugs + all 4 O2 sensors, dealer items. No check engine light no codes. Any idea?

3. when Doing 60 MPH, RPM about 2000-2200 when let go of gas pedal just about 45-50 MPH the RPM drops sharply to about 1500 for 5 seconds or so then it picks up again to normal. sound just like throwing the tranny into N at 55 MPH. any thought is greatly appreciated

 

[Abdoman]

tommyb - it would help tremendously if you could tell us what kind of 5 series you have.
ATF - automatic transmission fluid - I believe that if they say ATF, it can be subbed.

 

[tommyb]

sorry it is 1997 528I

 

[tommyb]

when looking at the cap which cover the power steering unit it reads ATF only.

 

[Abdoman]

I have a 97 528 - you can use any ATF fluid to top it off. The power steering cover has an o-ring that tends to leak over time.

Problem #2
I have a problem similar to what you are talking about - the dealer diagnosed it - he said that I have a couple of valves that need to be replaced - I have not replaced mine because it's not that bad yet. When I get back home (I'm out of town), I will post the part names and #s.

Problem 3??? I don't have a clue, unless its related to #2

 

[epj3]

NEVER put power steering fluid in your bmw. It will cause you to have to replace a $600 rack in a few months.

2 is probably the idle control valve (assuming your car has one). I don't think it would be the engine valves - that again, would suck.

3'd one sounds normal - like it's downshifting. The tranny software might need updated?

 

[Abdoman]

ooooww - I just read my above post - epj is right - that is not what I meant. What I meant to say is you can use any ATF fluid to top it off, not power steering fluid. Sorry!

The idle control valve is one of the valves.

 

[tommyb]

abdoman, epj3 thanks alot, your comments are greatly appreciated I will check the valve and possibly the camshaft positioning sensor: the drop of idling is not the result of downshifting, it is so brief probably measured in seconds that the engine gets so quite it feels like it is disengaging itself from the tranny but it is not because It does stay in the 4th gear.

 

[tommyb]

Abdoman since you have the same car I wish to share this with you and the rest. I came across a problem in 97 528i with weard air leak sound at 60-70 MPH or higher. Checked windshield OK, rubber door Jam OK it was a mind teaser. Finally you would not guess what the problem was?! it was that little front left rubber piece for the jacking point. Yes missing. Probably lost at some tire place or got stuck at some mechanic floor jack/lift. So the opening of the square hole at high speed somehow did permitt the air to travel through the chasis and made the noise sounds like air leak. This left everyone thinking windshield/door jams problems.

 

[Abdoman]

That's wild - I have a wind sound and I am missing one of my jacking point pieces - I'll have to buy a new one!

Here are the parts and the part #s
T-shaped idle regulating valve - 13 41 1 744 713
Pressure Regulating Valve - 11 15 1 703 484

Good luck

 

[tommyb]

Thanks for the part numbers, the jacking point is about $4 at the dealer. The best way to put on is to center it on the openning and press it with a floor jack it will pop in easly. Oh I went to the dealer today (park ave BMW in Wayne NJ) and asked him what kind of fluid I need for the power steering on 1997 528I?? Interseting story though, the guy at the parts dep. replied it depends on your car. I said what do u mean ? it is the one I mentioned to you. Again it is 528I 97!! Do you need to know the color of the interior to give me the right fluid? He asked again what does it is say on the cap? I said ATF only so he walked betweens these isles and honestly I expected him to come back with a shiny SILVER blackish bottle that says in red highway or "autobahn performance BMW power steerings VITAMINS" or something and go to the cashier and pay no less than $20. To my disappointment he came back with a red bottle titled EXXON ATF FUILD happily I paid $4.75 for the red bottle knowing it is $1.15 at Kmart.
This is the ultimate prove to what you have told me. After all it is automatic transmission fluid. Had I added the regular power steering fluid? Well $600 plus