first, how do you tell apart from the high or low speed cooling fan?

High- is it when the fan goes on and off in short bursts? and Low- i am guessing its running continuously when the car first starts? (fan only kicks in when the radiator becomes hot but it goes off fast)

another question on the power steering fan, i know i have to replace it because it hadn't spin with the radiator fan on. plus the fan does not move freely, it seems stuck when spinning by hand. is it normal for the power steering fan to be covered in engine oil? (like a small film on the fan blades) because i am afraid that i have to keep replacing the fans because of it (i found this out today and hope this did not caused my radiator fan relay to go bad earlier)

last question, will this cause any trouble apart from the car replicating a sauna? the air conditioner went out at 85,000 miles and was never fixed with the car currently at 118,000 miles. remembered dealer said the compressor had failed and car was leaking refrigerant at 85,000 miles.

 

Low speed fan will cycle. High speed fan is VERY loud and comes on when coolant temps reach appx 225*. Most times you would never hear the HS fan. If that is all you ever hear or see working, could be a new fan assembly is in order. The TCE brand on Ebay is perfect replacement and has a life time warranty.

The PS Pump cooling fan has a fuse. Check both fuse and fan whenever you change your oil. It is imperative that it be working as it cools the circuit board in the PS Pump and w/o it working it too will fail. Most times you can just remove the fan, and clean out the gunk in it with WD40 spray and some high pressure air. The gunk which collects in there usually makes the fan seize up, blowing the fuse.....if it's coated wtih a thin film of oil/dirt, could be either a main bearing seal or the oil pan gasket is seeping. Both known leak areas on the MINI's. I had same problem, oil wet underside of engine. Never once was there a puddle under the car to ever indicate any issues....just enough to mess up the PS fan...

Another leak area is the gasket for the pulse generator also known as the crank sensor. It is up front behind the Supercharger (MCS).

 

yea i was thinking about fixing the oil leak. however i was thinking about using more preventive measures such as using this fan shield with the newer ps fan. http://new.minimania.com/web/item/NMA3042/InvDetail.cfm

do you think that shield would fit on the newer fans?

also is it safe to run the car with a failed ac compressor? will it cause problems to other components? i dont plan on fixing the ac because i have a feeling this car is dieing on me. however everything else was maintained!

 

Mmmm, not sure there is an absolute fix for this fan. There is a plastic shroud available which covers the fan area completely, with a build in duct for air to be vented to the fan. I would think that would work the best of all possibilities out there. Best thing to do is just keep an eye on it, keep it cleaned out and free spinning.

And if you have a newer fan with a built in plastic shroud ? good question, not sure how well it would fit. Maybe call and ask for someone in their tech department - see what they say.

Toll Free Order Line: 800-94MANIA

What makes you think the a/c compressor is bad ?

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...olution-5.html

Low speed fan fix thread ^^^^^.

Bob

 

This is the OEM version.....works to protect the PS fan from GRIT/Sand too...the shild you pictured just protects the PS fan from rocks+plastic bags.





There have been reports of Power Steering Pump failure for higher mileage Mini Coopers. Moss now has the only BMW Mini Cooper factory solution to extend the life of the power steering pump - a special ducting system to supply much needed air to the power steering pump fan. Drilling required. Professional installation recommended.
*NOTE: No Instructions Available. This Factory Upgraded Power Steering Duct & Panel are both incompatible with skid plates. Aftermarket fan shield will also need to be removed.
101-592 $79.95 Ducting Kit, Power Steering Fan
02-06 S Hatchback w/Auto
04-08 S Convertible w/Auto

 

Running a car with a failed AC compressor in moist cases are fine....the clutch on it will keep the compressor from turning....
But an AC delete pulley can be installed....it might just need a recharge..most do every 5 years or so, using 134A.
If the clutch fails in such a way that the compressor keeps turning, an issue could develop, but since the clutch is magnetic (I'm pretty sure) this in unlikely. Just don't turn it on,
The TYC fan if you need to replace the radiator fan on E-bay or roc- auto is a good way to save some $$.
Which is your problem??
The PS fan, or the Radiator cooling fan....Even the AC compressor? Sometimes these issues are interconnected......

 

Often the PS fan get stuck....and on some cars (depending on hoe they are wired) it will cause the Radiator fan to not run (due to a blow fuse)
.
Many cars have a failed resistor on the radiator...leading to the fan not running on low speed on the radiator...sometimes, over time, causing the AC compressor to possibly fail due to the higher pressures it must run at to cool when the car is not moving, and the condenser has less airflow...
The car runs very hot, and you hear the HIGH speed fan cycling on and off...on and off.....very loudly.

 

ZippyNH, thanks for your long reply, however i dont think the air duct will work on a manual cooper s. that would have been the best alternative for the gasket repair.