Introduction:
* I have 2004 330i and I love it. I do my research on it if something happens, maintain it regularly, and try to keep it in shape as good as financially I can. Its my daily driver.
Story:
* On 07/22/17 (yesterday) I decided to go to Angeles Crest Hwy (its close-by to me), and enjoy my car driving aggressively. Everything was really nice, sound, temps, handling, grip, I enjoyed it a lot.
After a while I decided to turn right to the view point, relax a bit, have some cigarette and drive back home.
Issue:
* As soon as I pulled over my power steering went off. Then I noticed red oil pressure indicator. Naturally, I aligned my wheels, turned of the car, opened the hood and decided to wait a bit so engine can cool down. As I recall, temp gauge was in the dead middle.
I turned my car back on, pressure indicator was still there, red, power staring was still off. There was no connection so I didn't have a chance to check the first actions I need to do in this case. I decided to start steering my wheel. After couple rotations, power steering came back, and light went off.
I started driving away and everything was pretty much normal.
Personal thoughts:
* As I returned home I did my research. I found this thread (http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=930140) and according to "Rekless Rob", "I had the same problem, your idle speed is too low! The oil pump is not turning fast enough when you are at idle. What happens is your engine reaches operating temperature, the oil is hot and thins out, less oil pressure. An idle speed of 500 rpm is too low and the oil pump is not pumping as fast, oil pressure light starts to flicker."
Seems legit.
Things to consider:
* I have CCV to PCV modification.
* My last oil change was 3000 miles ago (liquid molly)
* My steering rod has a little leakage which I am aware off.
* I changed my power steering pump couple months ago.
* I was driving in sport mode, revs were relatively high for 20 min with aggressive steering.
* This morning I checked power steering liquid, it was a little lower than it should be.
Conclusion:
* My opinion is that after driving aggressively with high revs a came to rapid stop. Engine revs went down quickly and oil was hot. Oil pump didn't have enough power to keep pressure. It caused red lamp.
Regarding steering, as my rod has a bit of a leakage, aggressive steering led to more leakage as usual and liquid level went lower than it should. it caused lower pressure and power steering went off.
Why I am here:
*This forum is like family for me. You guys helped me a lot in fixing my car even if you didn't know about it (this is my first car).
Naturally, when trouble happens I feel like sharing about it so I can learn, and find the best cost effective solution.
Every opinion will be valuable for me and if someone have a better idea what happened yesterday I will be more than thankful for a healthy discussion,
Thank you
* I have 2004 330i and I love it. I do my research on it if something happens, maintain it regularly, and try to keep it in shape as good as financially I can. Its my daily driver.
Story:
* On 07/22/17 (yesterday) I decided to go to Angeles Crest Hwy (its close-by to me), and enjoy my car driving aggressively. Everything was really nice, sound, temps, handling, grip, I enjoyed it a lot.
After a while I decided to turn right to the view point, relax a bit, have some cigarette and drive back home.
Issue:
* As soon as I pulled over my power steering went off. Then I noticed red oil pressure indicator. Naturally, I aligned my wheels, turned of the car, opened the hood and decided to wait a bit so engine can cool down. As I recall, temp gauge was in the dead middle.
I turned my car back on, pressure indicator was still there, red, power staring was still off. There was no connection so I didn't have a chance to check the first actions I need to do in this case. I decided to start steering my wheel. After couple rotations, power steering came back, and light went off.
I started driving away and everything was pretty much normal.
Personal thoughts:
* As I returned home I did my research. I found this thread (http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=930140) and according to "Rekless Rob", "I had the same problem, your idle speed is too low! The oil pump is not turning fast enough when you are at idle. What happens is your engine reaches operating temperature, the oil is hot and thins out, less oil pressure. An idle speed of 500 rpm is too low and the oil pump is not pumping as fast, oil pressure light starts to flicker."
Seems legit.
Things to consider:
* I have CCV to PCV modification.
* My last oil change was 3000 miles ago (liquid molly)
* My steering rod has a little leakage which I am aware off.
* I changed my power steering pump couple months ago.
* I was driving in sport mode, revs were relatively high for 20 min with aggressive steering.
* This morning I checked power steering liquid, it was a little lower than it should be.
Conclusion:
* My opinion is that after driving aggressively with high revs a came to rapid stop. Engine revs went down quickly and oil was hot. Oil pump didn't have enough power to keep pressure. It caused red lamp.
Regarding steering, as my rod has a bit of a leakage, aggressive steering led to more leakage as usual and liquid level went lower than it should. it caused lower pressure and power steering went off.
Why I am here:
*This forum is like family for me. You guys helped me a lot in fixing my car even if you didn't know about it (this is my first car).
Naturally, when trouble happens I feel like sharing about it so I can learn, and find the best cost effective solution.
Every opinion will be valuable for me and if someone have a better idea what happened yesterday I will be more than thankful for a healthy discussion,
Thank you
