So I was recently in a front end crash (person in front of me slammed on their breaks, causing me to rear end them) and my Mini spent a good 4 weeks in the shop. I should mention that the body repair shop I went to, forgot to connect the radiator hose to the engine due to negligence and I drove the car around for a day and a half before an engine light came on letting me know anything was wrong. So my trust in this repair shop is totally gone by this point.

The big ticket item that was replaced, was the radiator. When does the radiator fan typically turn on? All the time? Or just when necessary? By all counts, the car does seem to be running beautifully at this time, but the radiator fan does not appear to be turning on. Can someone tell me when the fan should be turning on? It hasn't exactly been hot here in Oregon the last few days, but the fan does not appear to be turning on at all... is that normal?

I need some help before I march back to the body shop for potentially the 3rd time with another problem...

Also, does anyone know who makes the motor for the Mini? I'm very concerned that this repair shop is trying to screw me over and that I may have damaged the motor for the nearly 2 days I drove the car while the radiator hose to the engine...

 

While I don't know all the exact particulars, I can assure you that you didn't drive your car for 2 days without a radiator hose attaching your engine to the radiator.

You may have had an overflow hose disconnected but if you drove for over 4-5 miles without a radiator hose, you would have probably seized the engine.

As far as the cooling fan, the fan will come on in two incidences.

1) when the temp sensor determines it's needed.

2) the ac comes on.

Though they use the same fan, just because the fan comes on when you turn on the ac doesn't mean the fan will come on when the engine cooling system needs it.

My suggestion is to go turn on the ac and see if it comes on. At least that way you know it's hooked up and works.

Also, are you sure they hooked up the ambient temperature sensor? You'll know because it won't show outside temps (first clue) and the ac won't blow cold air.

HTH's


Mark