Sudden loss in power steering and coolant leak

[lennylen]

Hey all,

I was driving my '05 330ci down the road about to make a right turn at a stop and all of sudden I lost power steering and the car started leaking coolant while making a squeeling noise. Battery light also came on.

I was able to drive it home so I hooked it up to DIS the faults I got were the following:
27DA BSD generator
278B temperature sensor, engine coolant

I believe the coolant has stopped leaking but I still have no power steering. Does this mean I need a new alternator?


Any help or advice would be much appreciated!


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[lennylen]

After some more investigation it may be that the head gasket is blown... Hoping there's no damage to the engine as the car didn't overheat. Anyone know why that would effect the power steering?

Will be towing her to my mechanic tomorrow

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[PetesZ]

Check your serpentine belt. The belt tensioner is a known failure point.

You will lose charging cooling and power steering.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-accessory-belt-tensioner-assembly-11287838797-1-2?ads_cmpid=352576039&ads_adid=22972407319&ads_matchtype=&ads_network=g&ads_creative=85218275839&utm_term=&ads_targetid=pla-74834319395&utm_campaign=&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&ttv=2&gclid=CjwKCAjwopTYBRAzEiwAnU4kb5WUJfXBlKbXTFLw4c1W sywdo3dZWbTisRjWXb5bp0Do1RHcRRuz1xoCZOkQAvD_BwE

[PetesZ]

Daughters car did. Exactly the same thing.

No coolant leak. But the belt could have hit a hose or reservoir

[lennylen]

Check your serpentine belt. The belt tensioner is a known failure point.

You will lose charging cooling and power steering.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-accessory-belt-tensioner-assembly-11287838797-1-2?ads_cmpid=352576039&ads_adid=22972407319&ads_matchtype=&ads_network=g&ads_creative=85218275839&utm_term=&ads_targetid=pla-74834319395&utm_campaign=&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&ttv=2&gclid=CjwKCAjwopTYBRAzEiwAnU4kb5WUJfXBlKbXTFLw4c1W sywdo3dZWbTisRjWXb5bp0Do1RHcRRuz1xoCZOkQAvD_BwEYea h! After some more research looks like you hit the nail on the head.. I'm just glad it's not the head gasket..


Thanks a million for your insight!

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[Karl Lazlo]

Check your serpentine belt. The belt tensioner is a known failure point.

You will lose charging cooling and power steering.

Yup, been there, done that. But, in my case the tensioner grenaded itself, launching into the expansion tank. Pretty bad ass failure, to be honest.

[PetesZ]

Mine was caused by a fatigue fracture in the bracket on the center web in the casting. I would replace that assembly at 100k as preventative maintenance. I did the bearing not the bracket.

Learned something new that dat

[danewilson77]

I'm surprised that the serpentine belt went / you drove it home and car didn't overheat.

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[lennylen]

Update, mechanic checked it out and looks like it was the tensioner and pulley! Will get more details tomorrow.

I'm surprised that the serpentine belt went / you drove it home and car didn't overheat.

Sent from my SM-G955U using TapatalkYeah luckily I was literally less than a minute away from home when it happened. The car did start to overheat after the power steering loss and the heat gauge was in between the middle and the red. Definitely got lucky and hope didn't do any damage to the motor!

Thanks again for all the help everyone much appreciated!!

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