Is this normal? Power steering reservoir on 2005 545i
#1
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My Ride: 2005 545i | Titanium Silver | Sport, Premium, Cold Weather, Navigation packages | Style 124 staggered rims | iPod integration | Tinted windows
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I was doing some cleaning this afternoon and decided to check under the hood. I haven't taken a detailed look under the hood in a while.
Here is a picture of what I saw:
![Is this normal? Power steering reservoir on 2005 545i-1a.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e60-discussion-2/104150d1482364465t-normal-power-steering-reservoir-2005-545i-1a.jpg)
Now here are the areas I was concerned about:
![Is this normal? Power steering reservoir on 2005 545i-1.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e60-discussion-2/104151d1482364465t-normal-power-steering-reservoir-2005-545i-1.jpg)
I was really surprised to see what myoil cap power steering reservoir looked like! The dealer changed my oil towards the end of December - would they have left it like this, or did this happen later? Is this normal?
Zoomed in:
![Is this normal? Power steering reservoir on 2005 545i-3.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e60-discussion-2/104153d1482364465t-normal-power-steering-reservoir-2005-545i-3.jpg)
And, to add to the surprise, I found this also:
![Is this normal? Power steering reservoir on 2005 545i-4.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e60-discussion-2/104154d1482364465t-normal-power-steering-reservoir-2005-545i-4.jpg)
Looks like mice fur...
![Is this normal? Power steering reservoir on 2005 545i-5.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e60-discussion-2/104155d1482364465t-normal-power-steering-reservoir-2005-545i-5.jpg)
Looks like mice poopies...
And I don't know what this liquid stain is? Could it be mice pee? Or some spill... maybe an oil spill?
![Is this normal? Power steering reservoir on 2005 545i-6.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e60-discussion-2/104156d1482364465t-normal-power-steering-reservoir-2005-545i-6.jpg)
Any thoughts on theoil cap power steering reservoir and liquid stain?
Thanks!
Here is a picture of what I saw:
![Is this normal? Power steering reservoir on 2005 545i-1a.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e60-discussion-2/104150d1482364465t-normal-power-steering-reservoir-2005-545i-1a.jpg)
Now here are the areas I was concerned about:
![Is this normal? Power steering reservoir on 2005 545i-1.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e60-discussion-2/104151d1482364465t-normal-power-steering-reservoir-2005-545i-1.jpg)
I was really surprised to see what my
Zoomed in:
![Is this normal? Power steering reservoir on 2005 545i-2.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e60-discussion-2/104152d1482364465t-normal-power-steering-reservoir-2005-545i-2.jpg)
![Is this normal? Power steering reservoir on 2005 545i-3.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e60-discussion-2/104153d1482364465t-normal-power-steering-reservoir-2005-545i-3.jpg)
And, to add to the surprise, I found this also:
![Is this normal? Power steering reservoir on 2005 545i-4.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e60-discussion-2/104154d1482364465t-normal-power-steering-reservoir-2005-545i-4.jpg)
Looks like mice fur...
![Is this normal? Power steering reservoir on 2005 545i-5.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e60-discussion-2/104155d1482364465t-normal-power-steering-reservoir-2005-545i-5.jpg)
Looks like mice poopies...
And I don't know what this liquid stain is? Could it be mice pee? Or some spill... maybe an oil spill?
![Is this normal? Power steering reservoir on 2005 545i-6.jpg](https://5series.net/forums/attachments/e60-discussion-2/104156d1482364465t-normal-power-steering-reservoir-2005-545i-6.jpg)
Any thoughts on the
Thanks!
#3
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Sorry... I don't think it's the oil cap... I think that's the power steering reservoir right?
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Its normal for it to "sweat" a little bit, but i do agree that is excessive. The other debris could be anything. I find sand every now and then on my acoustic covers.
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I would show either show the dealer or clean it off to see if it builds up again then show the dealer. Either way there is one common denominator. Unless of course it does not build up like that again.
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The goop outside the power steering is probably power steering overflow/leakage mixed with dirt. My power steering reservoir leaks because the o-ring on the lid has been crushed by some ape over tightening it.
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Thanks for all your suggestions guys.
In December '09, I had the Power Steering warning on my iDrive. I took it to the dealer and they noticed my power steering fluid was too low due to winter / cold-weather contraction. They checked for leakage underbody and found nothing. They topped off the fluid and cleared the warning message - all for a wonderful $149.50. I should have just topped off the fluid myself and see if the warning message would disappear...
Anyway, I'm wondering now if the o-ring got crushed due to over-tightening like or_550i suggested?
In December '09, I had the Power Steering warning on my iDrive. I took it to the dealer and they noticed my power steering fluid was too low due to winter / cold-weather contraction. They checked for leakage underbody and found nothing. They topped off the fluid and cleared the warning message - all for a wonderful $149.50. I should have just topped off the fluid myself and see if the warning message would disappear...
Anyway, I'm wondering now if the o-ring got crushed due to over-tightening like or_550i suggested?
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