What the heck is this above my power steering pressure hose?

[FFWD]

Looks like some type of mount that's coming apart, and I think it says something about being nitrogen filled. Probably should be replaced along with my leaking pressure hose, but can't find it in RealOEM and don't know what it's called (or what it does - doesn't seeem to be connected to anything, unless it already broke).

[tcp]

It's the VANOS pressure accumulator, part #11367836050.

You can find it as part #4 on this diagram.

[FFWD]

Thanks! It's so mushroomed, I thought it was some rubber mount (but wondered by there was printing on it, LOL). Well damn, that's another $370 on top of my power steering pressure hose and hard lines. If this part isn't workig (or worse, leaking pressure), I assume vanos stops working, but does could it have caused any damage?

[Slideways]

Thanks! It's so mushroomed, I thought it was some rubber mount (but wondered by there was printing on it, LOL). Well damn, that's another $370 on top of my power steering pressure hose and hard lines. If this part isn't workig (or worse, leaking pressure), I assume vanos stops working, but does could it have caused any damage?

Never heard of one going bad. Since that one looks like it has been at the bottom of the ocean, probably best to replace it. Should be easy to find a used, good condition one for 100 bucks or less. Don't forget to get two new sealing rings.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/146362229147?_skw=e46+m3+pressure+accumulator&itmm eta=01K0WW7BWGXS1WJPRH1VN4YYMT&hash=item2213de619b :gX0AAOSwbyxmrScq&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA4FkggFvd1GGDu 0w3yXCmi1fslV96qUKSGo3WNchQYv%2FDOVAJ9cfD8fB%2BEXa FeTrRPvKaDiD3EjZsbM4k5kSK2fdD1JHj9t3cY9GMgd9x9c6n5 c3KmLii7JCyht%2FkqYrgQ6a1gM5OH7knb6bNA78YGSFEPeV7G h3yXMI0jmzWJsm7KO7PH8XL6bvbCRNNR7UcCXicUl2uOECMJU3 7EQWxmDLrUpIYdtLqMp6FVlyKwi02xycM0pV7O4Dz1vRS2wBfv d2%2B1DCd9d861d%2BaZJlx94xj8gq4WZH2twAm%2FSK05G6J% 7Ctkp%3ABk9SR7a-nZyHZg

[D-O]

Don't forget the power steering reservoir. It has a filter inside that cannot be replaced separately and if you are going to drain the system and replace the hoses now would be the time to replace it.

[FFWD]

Never heard of one going bad. Since that one looks like it has been at the bottom of the ocean, probably best to replace it. Should be easy to find a used, good condition one for 100 bucks or less. Don't forget to get two new sealing rings.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/146362229147?_skw=e46+m3+pressure+accumulator&itmm eta=01K0WW7BWGXS1WJPRH1VN4YYMT&hash=item2213de619b :gX0AAOSwbyxmrScq&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA4FkggFvd1GGDu 0w3yXCmi1fslV96qUKSGo3WNchQYv%2FDOVAJ9cfD8fB%2BEXa FeTrRPvKaDiD3EjZsbM4k5kSK2fdD1JHj9t3cY9GMgd9x9c6n5 c3KmLii7JCyht%2FkqYrgQ6a1gM5OH7knb6bNA78YGSFEPeV7G h3yXMI0jmzWJsm7KO7PH8XL6bvbCRNNR7UcCXicUl2uOECMJU3 7EQWxmDLrUpIYdtLqMp6FVlyKwi02xycM0pV7O4Dz1vRS2wBfv d2%2B1DCd9d861d%2BaZJlx94xj8gq4WZH2twAm%2FSK05G6J% 7Ctkp%3ABk9SR7a-nZyHZg

Wow, thanks! I searched EBAY using the part number, not name, and they were all $600+ (not sure why when brand new ones at half that). I'm waiting to hear back from a local part-out, if not that one looks great.

And yeah, my car might as well have been at the bottom of the ocean with all the salt we use on the roads around here.

[FFWD]

Don't forget the power steering reservoir. It has a filter inside that cannot be replaced separately and if you are going to drain the system and replace the hoses now would be the time to replace it.

Is there no way to clean it, maybe by back-flushing? I know it's probably a low-cost item, but you've seen the pics of what I'm dealing with, so I'm sure there are a lot more rusty parts I have yet to uncover.

[ATB88]

Jesus, is this what east coast cars look like?!

[Slideways]

Is there no way to clean it, maybe by back-flushing? I know it's probably a low-cost item, but you've seen the pics of what I'm dealing with, so I'm sure there are a lot more rusty parts I have yet to uncover.

Not really, but the reservoir is made by ZF and you can get them pretty cheap OEM with the BMW logo scraped off.

It depends on how the fluid looks when you drain it. If it is very brown and the reservoir is the original one, then it is a good idea to replace it. If the fluid is red, then keeping the reservoir for a few more miles should be fine.

[FFWD]

Jesus, is this what east coast cars look like?!

51st state car with 300,000 kms of daily driving.

[FFWD]

Not really, but the reservoir is made by ZF and you can get them pretty cheap OEM with the BMW logo scraped off.

It depends on how the fluid looks when you drain it. If it is very brown and the reservoir is the original one, then it is a good idea to replace it. If the fluid is red, then keeping the reservoir for a few more miles should be fine.

Since it's basically just a plastic bottle, does it matter much if I go with a Vaico, Rein, or (eek) Uro for as low as $12?

[M3llowM3]

51st state car with 300,000 kms of daily driving.

i mean, if it was winter driven it actually isnt even that bad considering the amount of salt we put down here

[6speedS54]

Jesus, is this what east coast cars look like?!

I am whining with the slight rust on the west coast near the ocean, when I saw that I shouldn't worry too much

[FFWD]

Not really, but the reservoir is made by ZF and you can get them pretty cheap OEM with the BMW logo scraped off.

It depends on how the fluid looks when you drain it. If it is very brown and the reservoir is the original one, then it is a good idea to replace it. If the fluid is red, then keeping the reservoir for a few more miles should be fine.

I put a clean aluminum pan under the leak, and the fluid is (surprisingly) red and clear - looks practically new. The way the reservoir is caked with gunk, I expected it to be brown, but I guess it was just seeping, probably through the cap seal. I ordered a Rein anyways to have on hand and I'll decide when I get a look at the inside of the original.