o-rings

With the recent cold weather in Northern VA area, my power steering on the STI has started to get insanely loud.  The steering still works and is smooth, and there was no signs of leakage.

I googled power steering whine and searched on iwsti and nasioc.  Apparently, there is a quick fix people recommend that involves changing out one o-ring before spending a lot of money to switch out the power steering pump.  Since I only had the noise for 2 quick drives (total of 20 miles max), I figured I would give it a shot.

I ordered 10mm x 14mm x 2mm rubber o-rings from advance autoparts, per the specs on nasioc and this youtube video I watched of someone changing their o-ring.  About a week later (and three trips where advance did NOT have the o-rings in despite telling me they were ready for pickup), I got the o-rings and gave it a shot.  WRONG size! I went back to advance and bought a variety pack.  I managed to get 2 sizes that were very close and took the smaller one and jammed it in.

During my trip to advance auto, my power steering fluid leaked enough to get onto the header and now the car was a little low.  Luckily, I had checked the fluid level so I caught it before the reservoir was empty.  I went back to advance and got some ATF Dexron III and topped it off.  After driving it around a little bit, the whine is gone! All that is left is to keep an eye out for leaks and to check it on a few more cold starts to verify the noise is gone.  If this works, I spent under $20 to fix it! (that includes 2 variety packages of o-rings, 4 of the o-ring I originally ordered, and a bottle of dexron III ATF).

splash guards

bored saturday

washed the MINI and started some work on it.

garage stuff

spent a few hours re-arranging the garage.  still need to think about more overhead shelving.

finally got around to installing some parts that I have had for the MINI for years sitting in boxes.
- SWC PAC steering wheel control module for aftermarket stereos.  wiring was straight forward once the steering wheel shroud and dash were removed for accessibility.  programming it was annoying but I figured it out
- ian cull auto up circuit.  allows double tap on windows to do auto up, vdc auto defeat, and programmability if I ever want to add in a garage door opener.
- redline goods shift boot and ebrake handle boot. old ones were torn and dirty.  these really freshen up the interior.

bought a small garage

a few pics of my small new garage.  i just moved in so still getting stuff situated:

getting closer to negative millionaire status lol

bored ramble

As of Friday morning, the MINI is street legal again! passed VA safety so now I just need to do emissions this coming winter (December).

Went house shopping on Saturday so I have narrowed down my search to a townhouse with 3 bedrooms and 2.5+ bath with one car garage.  I would really like a 2 car but seems like prices for those are a lot higher.

I am thinking of keeping my area to west springfield area since I have to travel to DC at least once a week and do not qualify for HOV on 66.  My drive into Vienna VA will remain the same.

I've been researching organizational ideas for one car garages so I can plan how to maximize usage of the limited space.  So far I plan on getting a small scissor lift, wall shelving, and a portable shed for the back patio for storage of parts that I don't need immediately.