Help!! I turned off the ignition on my car over an hour ago, and I can hear a sound like a high pitch fan running. I started and stopped the ignition as soon as I came to my initial stop, thinking maybe something was stuck.. but to no avail.. it is still running. Does anyone have any ideas what this could be? I have a 2002 - Mini Cooper S

 

check the fluid level in your overflow radiator tank. if it is low it may over heat . my car did this , i quickly found out that my rad had sprung a leak .

 

I should have checked earlier threads.. found my answer.. and it does not look pretty. everytime I go to the mini dealership it is at least $500.. this could be more expenive. No responses necessary.

 

thanks ratblast.. yep, that is what I found from earlier posts, and the fluid levels were non existent.

 

I had the same issue with the fan, along with a gurgling sound during acceleration (air in the system). It was a coolant leak through a leaky thermostat housing. If your leak is in the same place, it shouldn't be that expensive to fix (about $80, plus labor).

Shine a flashlight down next to the driver's side of your intercooler (assuming you have a left-hand-drive Cooper S). The coolant hose runs through this area and connects to the thermostat housing here. Look for evidence of a leak.

In the meantime, keep the coolant level topped up. MINIs can be picky regarding coolant. Stick to the MINI brand or Prestone 50/50. There is a 3rd brand that's good to use, but the name escapes me right now.

 

A much better outcome than I just had...

Same kind of whirring noise from under the hood when engine turned off. 5 hours later, alarm goes off because battery is dead.

The cooling fan for the power steering pump had frozen and the controller for the pump had overheated and locked itself on.

$1000 for a new power steering pump. (sigh)

Had them put in that 15% Alta pulley I'd had my eye on for a while at the same time though. So I don't feel quite so bad, but eeeesh.

-Scott
2004 Dk Silver MCS, Dinan S1 + 15% Alta Pulley