Cheap fix for blown PS fan
I just lubed mine. It was kind of stuck and was gritty.
I took it off and sprayed a bit of some mid-weight penetrating lube. (Basically lightweight gear lube in an aerosol can).
Spun it by hand a few times to work it through. Hooked it up to a 12v power supply and verified it's no longer stuck.
I put it back on the car and turned on the A/C - working like a champ. Probably extended the life of the part by about 5 years.
I took it off and sprayed a bit of some mid-weight penetrating lube. (Basically lightweight gear lube in an aerosol can).
Spun it by hand a few times to work it through. Hooked it up to a 12v power supply and verified it's no longer stuck.
I put it back on the car and turned on the A/C - working like a champ. Probably extended the life of the part by about 5 years.
4th Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Elgin, IL
A fool and his money is soon parted!!A new fan is about $110-150, a new PS pump is closer to $600, plus the CHS-11 PS fluid, and possibly labor......I just know MINI spent tons of money on un-needed stuff on our cars to improve the reliability of already perfect (or should I say imperfect) parts!!
What you did sounds fine....for a week or two while you order the new part, but long-term, it is kinda laughable!! The PS motor is a DC motor with brushes..so its life span is VERY temperature dependent.
I hate to say, but a few hours some summer day, in traffic, or just idling at the store with the AC on, (with no air-flow due to its position, and close proximity to some very hot items) and your PS pump is getting a workout!! It will not take too long for the brushes to wear out, begin to be out spec and be able to work....and time for some $$$, and if it cuts out on a tight turn, and you don't make it, and end up going into oncoming traffic
....I hope I don't see you in the news killing a bus load of handicapped children!!I am not trying to Flame you, just trying to make you understand that your actions have impacts and unintended consequences to you and the ones around you!!
Have you ever driven a car without power steering? It's certainly drivable, you will just have a slight workout in the parking lot.
It's not like the wheel will get snapped off your hand when the PS stops working. It will be noticeable but the car should not change a direction mid turn.
To get an idea how stiff the steering is without power assist, try it out. As you are driving on an empty road, turn the key one click to OFF but with ignition still ON so to not lock the steering wheel. Turn the wheel back and forth to change lane. Press the brake pedal to slow down and the wheel becomes stiffer. You can also do the same in a parking lot. Be careful to press the brake pedal no more than once or you may lose power brake.
For those who has never driven a car w/o PS, it can be a surprise.
For those who has never driven a car w/o PS, it can be a surprise.
2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Cheshire, CT USA
To get an idea how stiff the steering is without power assist, try it out. As you are driving on an empty road, turn the key one click to OFF but with ignition still ON so to not lock the steering wheel. Turn the wheel back and forth to change lane. Press the brake pedal to slow down and the wheel becomes stiffer. You can also do the same in a parking lot. Be careful to press the brake pedal no more than once or you may lose power brake.
For those who has never driven a car w/o PS, it can be a surprise.
For those who has never driven a car w/o PS, it can be a surprise.
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