When I was doing the pulley/oil change/strut reinforcement plates on my R53 a friend noticed that the power steering pump fan was all gummed up and is hard to turn by hand. From everything I've read on here, these fans are generally problematic and replacement is common. Is there a consensus on the best (cheapest?) source for a new fan? I assume it's not a particularly difficult installation, as it seems pretty accessible w/ the car on jack stands.

Thanks!

 

I can't touch on where to get it but I can say that I would get it soon. The last thing you want is to have to replace the fan and the pump.

 

The oem spal fan with the correct plug is available from many places...
It usually comes with a new bracket, but you can get thr fan seperate for a few bucks less...depending on the production date, the fan is held to the beacket by screws (newer) or rivits, than can be drilled out, the new fan installed with screws...
as long as you can get to the fan on ramps or jackstands, swapping it out is very simple...less than 15 minutes if you take a beer brake...
Sometimes fan (no plug, soldering needed) are avalable, but considering the harsh location, the factory plug with the added little box (possible a thermal fuse?) Is your best bet imo.
$180 or so seems to be a balpark price...at one point you could get the oems from a few scources for about $45 cheaper, but they have come up in price.
I got mine from WAYMOTORWORKS.COM when i did mine a few years ago...he sells all oem, and other aftermarket parts, great mini parts scource, and decent shipping prices.

 

PS
With a 2005 you may have a seperate fuse fir the ps fan inside the car...
This changed happed on 2005 production year cars, or on cars, like mine, a 2005 model year, but late 2004 production, at the discression of the dealer...
With the older wiring, a siezed fan could blow the fuse for the radiator fan (shared), leading to overheating when the car was not moving....

 

you can find the fan here

http://www.bimmerspecialist.com/usa/parts/index/mini

 

Mine is an 06/05 production.

 

Perfect. That's a solid price from (what appears to be) a reputable vendor. Many thanks!

 

Speaking of power steering components, is anyone else's power steering system really whiny when you are at a dead stop? I was told by one shop that it's a common thing for Minis and they recommend I just don't worry about it since it's more just a sound, not a function issue.

Any easy and cheap fixes to that too?

 

Pre 2005 pumps were kinda whiney...
The pump was improved in 2005 to make it quieter..
New pump..more quiet $500
Rebuilt..might be an old whiney one..look the same..$200+
So just live with it..check you fluid level.

 

Good find. Forgot about those guys.

 

Thanks for the quality intel, as always, Zippy.