Radiator overheated, had that changed out- guy tells us he put in a new one and that the power steering fan isn't working.

Got home and hadn't heard the engine fan run after the engine shutting off, like it used to. It's an hour drive there and back on a tropical 85 degree day- it's hot out- so figured the fan ought to have kicked on, even with the new radiator. Took it back & they fire up the AC to show me that the fan still works. It's not overheating so just drive it they say. Mmmmm...

Then after hemming n hawing, a few foot shufflings later and they say that yeah, they ARE BMW repair ppl but... maybe not so much on Mini's .... shootz....

Any ideas on what's up?
2005 R50 CVT 78k miles

 

Pretty common issue your low speed fan isn't working - there is a massive thread on it

 

If the low speed fan isn't working you need the Dorman Fan Relay . As for the powersteering fan not working, make sure it isn't seized and replace the 5a fuse in socket #41 in the drivers side footwell fuse box if it's blown and the PS fan should start working again, but this will only work if the cooling fan relay is working as it should.

 

Ooooohh~ thanks for both those helpful replies. I spent hours on here searching .... Didn't know what to call what I was looking for :/

I'll check that fuse~ I hope the PS prob is just that~

This gives me a better understanding of what to expect when the guy gives me the ghastly diagnosis ~ *sigh

Very much appreciate both your replies~ thank you!

 

If the fan is seized... Pretty common...it is a simple it and 2 screws to swap it out...15 minutes on your back MAX...about $100-175 depending on where you buy them.
Water does get into the motor, rusts the bearings....so the fuse does pop...you can blow out the fan...some compressed air, but it is likely bad. You can get it "bare" or on the panel it is screwed too...either way, a simple fix

 

I believe the P/S fan should kick on when the AC is on. In some cases, the fan can lock up, preventing the cooling of the power steering pump, which in turn causes the pump to overheat and fail. In some instances, the plastic protective grille on the outside of the fan can be knocked off. In this case, even something as simple as a plastic bag on the road can get sucked up into the fan. If this happens, it can bend the shaft and render the fan inoperative. In our case, the grille from the fan was missing altogether and the shaft was bent, preventing the fan from turning at all. Check to see if the grille is still covering the fan and if it is free spinning. We have a tech article that can help you with the replacement. Fan here and grille here if needed.

 

Check the fan if the gunk has built up on the back side between the fan blade and the motor itself. : Sometimes the fan can be cleaned and blown out in the gap between the fan and the motor itself, where rock and junk gather. If not see the below link.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...fan-issue.html


Check the Low speed and if it need replaced see below :

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ng-issues.html

 

Well I'm bummed~

Changed out blown fuses 31 + 41, engine fan still doesn't run, faint coolant smell still wafting.

Sure wish the manual had less assumptions about knowing to coolant flush every 2-3 yrs cuz we did service maintenance religiously. Plugged cores were the radiator's issue :/

The Old Boy says he isn't inclined to continue repairing an 11 year old vehicle. Might also have something to do with our impending move to remote snow country with spotty cell service and The Little Car's low, close to the road, ride.

I'm sad. I love driving The Little Car and have been looking forward to driving CONUS in fresh cool mountain air with The Old Boy on his bike near by. The Little Car has been a memorable pleasure driving Swiss Alps, German Hill Country, Denmark villages, and here, a perfect sized island ride.

Know anybody who might be interested in a Good Natured 2005 R50, BRG, CVT, 78K, white mirror, roof & wheels, leather interior (still smells good), has one parking lot door ding and is looking for an Oahu re- homing, preferably with a cozy garage

 

It's your low speed fan resistor. Always has been....every gave you some hope that it wasn't. If you can trigger it with AC (switches on then off then on then off). Faint coolant smell is because it's getting hot and boiling over a little or the seam on the coolant tank is gone (another common issue) the temp gauge won't move from middle. Up to you if you want to bail on the car for about $150 in parts and 1.5 hours of install time. As for interest - everyone on this site has been trained to avoid the CVT like the plague...

 

I would go for the fix. Then put up for sale as you are moving.

 

Kahnfucious~
Got The Little Car as a fun city ride that I can handle on Bad Pain Days with a bad leg~ it's been a blast driving.
The Old Boy is 6'2" with a 50" chest~ wider now that he's retired. Been a pretty good sport about squeezing into The Little Car on occasion. He has his share of old service related injuries. It's not about bailing for $150 in parts, it's about reliability in extreme winter conditions when your body isn't what it was.
And yes, I'm a bit touchy about giving up what has been a real pleasure for me.
Appreciate your knowledge, the assumptive additions aside

The relay is on order- the Little Car will be tip top for it's next owner ~ thanks folks

 

Okay - good luck try to stay in the MINI family. The old clubman drove surprisingly like the hatch - no idea of how the new clubman will feel

 

Sat in the new F54 Clubamn, was very nice and did feel even more premium then the current F56

 

Sat in one, too.
Looks great and "premium" feel.
Considering once it comes out with AWD.

 

Yep, I think everyone is waiting for the that in a JCW version.