BMW 318ti Power steering fluid is brown or black Inspection at your home or office.

Our certified mobile mechanics come to you 7 days a week between 7 AM and 9 PM.

Estimate price near me

Service Location

Customer Ratings

(7)

How A Diagnostic Works

Instantly book a certified mobile mechanic to come to you

Mechanic diagnoses the problem and quotes necessary repairs

Your vehicle is ready to go

Fair, upfront & transparent pricing for all services

Our certified mobile mechanics can come to you now.

Customer Ratings

(7)

Power steering fluid is brown or black Inspection Service

How much does a Power steering fluid is brown or black Inspection cost?

On average, the cost for a BMW 318ti Power steering fluid is brown or black Inspection is $105 with $0 for parts and $105 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
1997 BMW 318tiL4-1.9LService typePower steering fluid is brown or black InspectionEstimate$124.99Shop/Dealer Price$139.69 - $150.72
1999 BMW 318tiL4-1.9LService typePower steering fluid is brown or black InspectionEstimate$124.99Shop/Dealer Price$133.36 - $139.64
1995 BMW 318tiL4-1.8LService typePower steering fluid is brown or black InspectionEstimate$124.99Shop/Dealer Price$133.40 - $139.71
1996 BMW 318tiL4-1.9LService typePower steering fluid is brown or black InspectionEstimate$124.99Shop/Dealer Price$132.14 - $137.49
1998 BMW 318tiL4-1.9LService typePower steering fluid is brown or black InspectionEstimate$124.99Shop/Dealer Price$133.54 - $139.94
Show example BMW 318ti Power steering fluid is brown or black Inspection prices

Finding discolored fluid in any component of your vehicle is worrisome. Discolored fluid can be a frustrating problem because you may not know what is causing the discoloration and because it looks harmful. Indeed, brown or black power steering fluid is never a good sign and should be addressed quickly.

How this system works:

Power steering fluid is a necessary part of your vehicle’s power steering system. The fluid is pumped from the reservoir to the wheels by the power steering pump. Near the wheels the power steering fluid applies pressure to a piston inside the rack and pinion, which is connected to the wheels. This pressure gives the wheels the strength needed to turn and makes a vehicle dramatically easier to steer.

When the fluid becomes contaminated, the entire power steering system can be damaged. The dark colored power steering fluid can clog the power steering pump hoses and damage the bearings in the system.

Brown or black power steering fluid is not a death sentence for your vehicle but it is an issue that should be handled promptly. You can continue to drive your vehicle however, it is best to make an appointment with a mechanic as soon as possible.

Common reasons for this to happen:

  • Contaminated with Aluminum: As your power steering fluid does its job, it comes into frequent contact with your vehicle’s rack and pinion. The rack and pinion system is made up of high amounts of aluminum which over time can shed into a fine powdered state. This fine powder can contaminate your power steering fluid resulting in a sludgy compound that does not hold the same consistency as your ideal power steering fluid.

This shedding of aluminum particles is natural, so you usually don’t need to be concerned with the status of your car’s rack and pinion. However, after having your steering fluid replaced, you should check its color with regularity. If the fluid returns to a dark color quickly, then the rack and pinion should be inspected.

  • Water In System: Water causes power steering fluid to oxidize, which diminishes the ability of the fluid and therefore of the system as a whole. As with many components of your vehicle, the power steering fluid reservoir can sometimes trap unwanted water. This water mixes with the fluid, causes oxidization and changes the color of the power steering fluid.

  • Fluid Degradation: Power steering fluid is subject to high loads of pressure, as it relies on pressure to do its job effectively. This pressure causes the temperature of the fluid to increase, especially during long drives. As the fluid rises in temperature, it begins to slowly break down as the chemicals separate from one another. This is known as electrochemical degradation and is the cause of discoloration and sludge in the power steering fluid.

What to expect:

A top-rated mobile mechanic will come to your home or office to determine the cause of the brown or black power steering fluid, and will then provide a detailed inspection report that includes the scope and cost of the necessary repairs.

How it's done:

Discolored power steering fluid cannot be reversed. Instead, the fluid needs to be drained from the power steering system and replaced with fresh fluid. This is called a power steering fluid flush. A mechanic will disconnect the power steering hose from the power steering pump and drain all of the fluid out of the system. After reconnecting the hose to the pump, a fresh batch of clean power steering fluid will be added to the reservoir. Once the system has been flushed, the mechanic will usually turn on your vehicle and turn the steering wheel a few times to introduce the new fluid to the system. This process will also allow your mechanic to identify any other issue that may require his or her attention.

How important is this service?

When your power steering becomes discolored, it runs the risk of harming the rest of your power steering system. It’s important that you schedule an inspection as soon as you notice that your power steering fluid is brown or black, so that you don’t cause severe damage to the system.

Fast and easy service at your home or office

Backed by 12-month, 12.000-mile guarantee


Meet some of our expert BMW mechanics

Real customer reviews from BMW owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(7)

Rating Summary
5
2
0
0
0
5
2
0
0
0

Steven

15 years of experience
425 reviews
Steven
15 years of experience
BMW 318ti L4-1.9L - Oil Change - Glendale, Arizona
I tried this service through an amazon coupon offer and was very impressed with it.

Casime

13 years of experience
56 reviews
Casime
13 years of experience
BMW 318ti L4-1.9L - Car Starter Repair - Clementon, New Jersey
very efficient and thorough with his work. He had lots of patience while fixing my car which shows professionalism. Satisfied with the work done. Thank you.

Keith

19 years of experience
406 reviews
Keith
19 years of experience
BMW 318ti L4-1.8L - Car is not starting - Lakeland, Florida
Keith was awesome and was very helpful. He ran through everything that could be wrong with my engine and was able to pin point the problem. Very happy with how everything went!

Danny

12 years of experience
269 reviews
Danny
12 years of experience
BMW 318ti L4-1.8L - Engine is making a gurgling sound Inspection - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Danny was really great. He even said he wouldn't charge me if he couldn't find what was wrong, since at one point it wasn't clear. But he found the problem and explained everything.

Excellent Rating

(7)

Rating Summary
5
2
0
0
0
5
2
0
0
0
Number of BMW 318ti services completed
77+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT BMW MECHANICS
1200+
experts on our platform

Recent articles & questions

How to Charge a Car Battery
In In an age where it seems every moment is tied to a schedule, the last thing you need is to find yourself stranded when your car doesn't crank due to a dead battery. It doesn't matter whether you're at...
Cell Phones and Texting: Distracted Driving Laws in South Carolina
In In South Carolina, it is illegal for drivers of all ages to text and drive, which includes emails and instant messages. However, there is no statewide ban on the use of handheld or hands free cell phones when making...
The Guidelines for Leaving Pets in a Car
When it's hot, the inside of a car can reach 200 degrees, and leaving a pet inside while you're out can be illegal. Follow these safety precautions.

What does the “Check fuel fill inlet” warning mean in the message center?

The “check fuel fill inlet” warning is an indication of an issue with the fuel cap, which covers the fuel fill inlet. Fuel caps are a vital part of the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system. If the fuel cap is damaged,...

Diesel pump not spraying diesel into the injector

Hi there. I would first check to be sure that the injector pump itself is getting diesel. Sometimes these pumps fail due to the fuel not being delivered to the injection pump sufficiently. I would also check to be sure...

Fuel gauge and tank not holding enough

The most common problem is the fuel pump sending unit is bad in the fuel tank. The fuel gauge may also be bad in the dash. The best and quickest way to test the gauge is to disconnect the connection...

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (844) 997-3624 · hi@yourmechanic.com