Power steering overheating

[Driver407]

Currently at thunderhill for a track day, in between lunch. At the end of my fourth session i got an error saying “increased force on wheel” drive moderately. The wheel seemed to have lost power steering and got the wheel icon in dash. I browsed a few posts related to this but there wasnt alot of info. I sat out a session and the error has gone away and everything seems fine now. It is 100+ outside and climbing. I was in comfort steering all day. The wheel was hard to turn but after cooling down it is normal now.

Seems the power steering unit overheated? Anything to worry about? Anyone have more info or experience this? Should be fine once it cooled down?

[Suds]

OP which steering mode are you using?

Years ago a friend told me that at the M Driving school they were told to not use Sport or Sport+ because of overheating the electric steering on the track.
Maybe true don’t know, I always use efficient.

[fiveohwblow]

Originally Posted by Suds

OP which steering mode are you using?

Years ago a friend told me that at the M Driving school they were told to not use Sport or Sport+ because of overheating the electric steering on the track.
Maybe true don’t know, I always use efficient.

OP stated comfort mode.

[Driver407]

Been in comfort all day. I just ran a session and was fine. I cut the session short 5 minutes because we are running east and west back to back with 20min in between. Think the limited cooldown time was getting to it. At 106* degree now. Only have two more sessions.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Suds

OP which steering mode are you using?

Years ago a friend told me that at the M Driving school they were told to not use Sport or Sport+ because of overheating the electric steering on the track.
Maybe true don’t know, I always use efficient.

This does not make sense. How can putting MORE assist yield to less overheating. Logically, it should be the other way around.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by irokdayellup

Been in comfort all day. I just ran a session and was fine. I cut the session short 5 minutes because we are running east and west back to back with 20min in between. Think the limited cooldown time was getting to it. At 106* degree now. Only have two more sessions.

I use Sport+ steering on track and have never suffered any overheating on 100+ track days overall with the F82, even on very hot days.

[NYG]

This is a first. I use comfort steering exclusively with a bunch of 100F+ days at NJMP and LRP. Wonder if it has anything to do with the aftermarket midpipe heat? I only say this because my Z06 transmission started running a lot hotter when I switched to titanium (whole transmission is wrapped in the exhaust pipes).

[Driver407]

I didnt have this issue last year in the same heat. The only two factors that changed from my last track day last month are:
1) Track day was both tracks with 10 20min sessions (instead of usual 5) in the day and only 20 minutes cooldown between each.
2) Removed the dust shield and installed ap racing 9660 up front

Going to check in with a local shop sometime this week and try to learn more.

[VeloF1]

Originally Posted by irokdayellup

I didnt have this issue last year in the same heat. The only two factors that changed from my last track day last month are:
1) Track day was both tracks with 10 20min sessions (instead of usual 5) in the day and only 20 minutes cooldown between each.
2) Removed the dust shield and installed ap racing 9660 up front

Going to check in with a local shop sometime this week and try to learn more.

Good seeing you Monday. Keep us posted. I was running steering in Sport+ and tuned by Alex@Alpine to GTS. Fortunately, I didn’t have any similar issues. It was definitely HOT!

[Driver407]

So i called hmb motorwerks after hearing several people mention them at the track. Talked to the f80 guy and he said there isnt much to be concerned about.

If it overheats, it just fail safes until cooled off and shouldnt degrade or cause an issue if it happen multiple times. He also hasnt really encountered this issue. He said they are starting to see new issues crop up now that more f8x are on the track.

He recommended air ducting if it keeps happening.
Avoiding back to back sessions on hottest day of the year is probably wise also...

I did look back at my footage from last year and i was in sport steering vs comfort this time in the same conditions. So may try going back to sport at my event on the 20th..

[RSXDC5]

Throwing this out there just in case...

Pop your hood when in the pits, let the heat OUT. If you have a canopy tent thing, drive under that in the pits, get the engine area in the shade.

[Driver407]

VeloF1 was parked next to me, along with an m2. They both pop their hoods. I generally don't have a problem. But after this, I did, haa.
Both of us were right on the edge of the canopy/awning at the track so didnt get alot of shade.

[Mizzlam]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

This does not make sense. How can putting MORE assist yield to less overheating. Logically, it should be the other way around.

sport and sport + put less assist thats why comfort is comfort bc its the most assisted of the 3. sport and sport+ are closer to no-power steering thus less ps intervention.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Mizzlam

sport and sport + put less assist thats why comfort is comfort bc its the most assisted of the 3. sport and sport+ are closer to no-power steering thus less ps intervention.

We are saying the same thing

[Mizzlam]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

We are saying the same thing

Gotchu boss

[TractionControlDelete]

Originally Posted by Mizzlam

sport and sport + put less assist thats why comfort is comfort bc its the most assisted of the 3. sport and sport+ are closer to no-power steering thus less ps intervention.

This

[Driver407]

Earlier this month i had the EPS overheat again at the tail end of my last session.

Some variables i noted:
-90 degree day other than the 110 it happen in the past.
-I was in sport steering the entire day.
-My buddy Velof1 was there and had no issues in his m4.
-Last session was open pit and was scheduled for 60min. I got to around 30min when this happen. Other sessions were ~20min
-popped my hood for most the downtime (which i generally dont need/do)

Im starting to think the front dust shield removal for my AP bbk may be letting a little more thermal heat through the fender liners and aiding to this issue.

I have been debating adding some sort of heat insulation to the front fender area around where the EPS unit it. Anyone have any recommendation on what to use for that?

I saw one forum post that mentioned removing the liner and disconnecting the eps/ground wire and cleaning it. Have not done this yet.

Reconnecting and/or insulation of some sort are the only two things i can think of atm. (Aside from maybe the eps unit needing replacement)

As i have noted and seen looking for more info. There are not many cases of this.

[NYG]

Originally Posted by irokdayellup

Earlier this month i had the EPS overheat again at the tail end of my last session.

Some variables i noted:
-90 degree day other than the 110 it happen in the past.
-I was in sport steering the entire day.
-My buddy Velof1 was there and had no issues in his m4.
-Last session was open pit and was scheduled for 60min. I got to around 30min when this happen. Other sessions were ~20min
-popped my hood for most the downtime (which i generally dont need/do)

Im starting to think the front dust shield removal for my AP bbk may be letting a little more thermal heat through the fender liners and aiding to this issue.

I have been debating adding some sort of heat insulation to the front fender area around where the EPS unit it. Anyone have any recommendation on what to use for that?

I saw one forum post that mentioned removing the liner and disconnecting the eps/ground wire and cleaning it. Have not done this yet.

Reconnecting and/or insulation of some sort are the only two things i can think of atm. (Aside from maybe the eps unit needing replacement)

As i have noted and seen looking for more info. There are not many cases of this.

If it means anything to you, I had front dust shields off well before I did the AP kit and was running a decent amount of front rake with comfort steering. Never had power steering heat issues.

[Driver407]

Originally Posted by NYG

If it means anything to you, I had front dust shields off well before I did the AP kit and was running a decent amount of front rake with comfort steering. Never had power steering heat issues.

Yeah, I assumed since AP recommends you remove them that it shouldnt really cause any issues. Im sure there would be more overheating issues documented if that were true.

Just trying to hunt down any variables or potential fixes for it. Feel like it is going to be a uphill battle trying to diagnose at a shop being it only happens in extreme track conditions.

[NYG]

Originally Posted by irokdayellup

Yeah, I assumed since AP recommends you remove them that it shouldnt really cause any issues. Im sure there would be more overheating issues documented if that were true.

Just trying to hunt down any variables or potential fixes for it. Feel like it is going to be a uphill battle trying to diagnose at a shop being it only happens in extreme track conditions.

Did you eliminate the easiest solution by changing the power steering fluid? Remember it absorbs moisture as well so if it overheat once, it'll only make it more prone to it.

[Driver407]

Originally Posted by NYG

Did you eliminate the easiest solution by changing the power steering fluid? Remember it absorbs moisture as well so if it overheat once, it'll only make it more prone to it.

The f8x have EPS electronic power steering .

[NYG]

Originally Posted by irokdayellup

The f8x have EPS electronic power steering .

I can't believe it's only been a year and a half since I got rid of my M4 and I'm already capable of saying something that stupid. I won't even edit that out so people can ridicule me.