This is the story:
Yesterday my car started making this whirring sort of noise (something like when a fan is on) even though I had switched off the car. It was very strange, and I knew something was really wrong. I took it to the mechanic today and he has basically (after 3 hours of 'looking') told me that I need a new pump and power steering cooling fan - along with new wiring. Something to do with "The fan going bust, thus not cooling, making the pump go bust from over heating, which has shorted the electrical circuit, and thus some motor/fan is not switching off despite turning the car off" (not quoted word for word - but this is what I understood). From some people I have spoken to, this doesn't make sense.

Now comes the biggest problem, the price he's quoting me for the new parts are ridiculously out of my budget. $700 for the new power steering pump and $220 for the new power steering cooling fan. And with labor costs that amounts to about $1200 - $1300 ($85 / hour).

I really can't afford that. If there is absolutely NOTHING else I can do, then I will take it to the dealership and get it fixed at these rates (as the mechanic seems to be quoting the dealership rates).

There are 3 things I need help with:
1. Is there someone who understand MINI mechanics enough to first diagnose the problem and tell me whether this guy is right or wrong.
2. Help me source the new parts I might need, presumably the Power steering pump + fan + wiring - for cheaper than the dealership.
3. Help me repair the problem with the new parts (if necessary). Cause $85 an hour is really steep!

Extra information:
1. MINI Cooper (R50) - 2004
2. I live near Boston

If anything else, then just ask.

PLEASE HELP ME! Really desperate!!

~ Nitika

 

Well this is a pretty common problem if you search around. And those prices are right in line.
$85 an hour is a very fair rate, that's what I charge. The cheapest dealer I know of at $110 an hour, and some dealers as much as $200 an hour. Then don't forget dealers tag on those extra shop fees. Our local dealer add 7% for disposal and rags and such to every ticket.

Needing a P/S pump and fan not a big surprise, the wiring may not, but I can't say cause I'm not looking at it. We have seen wiring problems on northern cars that sees snow and salt.

Go with New parts, they come with a 2yr warranty. Otherwise you'll spend more money to redo it.

 

Thank you for replying. So it's good to know about the hourly rate.

Buying new parts I am not against. Just trying to look at cheaper options for the new parts. Any suggestions where to look, or should I just stick with the dealership?

 

Just thought i should let you know there is a ps fan in the marketplace for $100 right now

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co.../product/16785

 

Will this work on an R50? It says its for an R53.. so not sure.

But thank you!!

 

Try Greasy's Garage in Worcester, MA.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...c-in-ma-2.html

 

Thank you so much for this information! I have booked an appointment with them for Thursday.
I have read through their testimonials but just wanted some personal reviews if anyone has them. This place is about an hour away for me and I want to be sure that this is a good idea.

Any thoughts? Anyone?

 

I dont have personal stories but the 2 years i have been on NAM, i have heard about greasys garage more than a few times, all great stuff...

 

thanks.. that's great. i am pretty sure i shall be sticking to the appointment. they seem to be my best bet without having to go to a dealership!

 

Can a new fan be installed as a "preventive care" measure? before a PS related failure occurs? How difficult is it to install a fan, and in a nut shell what's the proceedure? TIA

 

So, I can ask the guy I am going to see tomorrow about my issue. Let's see what he says. Though, from what I have been hearing and researching, a P/S failure is almost a given in 1st generation MINI Coopers. And, it's not always related to the fan.

Correct me if I am wrong.

 

From what I read, the P/S motor fails because it is has mechanical commutators with brushes that eventually wear out. As pointed out many times, a brush-less design would have lasted far longer.

Has any aftermarket group ever offered a brush-less (and fan-less) replacement P/S motor for our MINI's, that would physically bolt right in?

 

I wish I had the answer to this but I do not. I can let you know if and when I find out.
But this is really a big pain. There should be a recall or some compensation if there are so many people suffering from the same problem part.

 

There is someone who is championing such (my apologies to him for forgetting his name). He advocates that everyone with a failing P/S pump, file a complaint with the NHTSA.

I just did a quick search on the NHTSA site, and under MINI, found several about P/S failures. You might want to read a few of those, to get an idea of the wording typically used to get the NHTSA's attention.

 

Hey Walt,
Thanks for this information. I think I have read through this thread before and had planned on complaining anyway. But I will need a new pump to get my car functioning, which I need it to.

 

The fan is in an area (bottom, near the tires) that gets lots of crap tossed at it besides just water/salt/snow. The newer cars have a duct that gets clean(er) air up front and ducts it to the fan. Look for power steering fan shroud...

http://www.mossmini.com/Shop/ViewPro...eIndexID=93994

 

So, I am at Greasy's Garage right now. *Fingers Crossed*. Let's see now what they say. :-) Hopefully it shouldn't drill too big a hole in my pocket.
Thanks everyone for suggestions, shall keep you all updated.

 

I am back from Greasy's Garage, and I must say, I am impressed. Pete and John were absolutely amazing - including everyone else who worked on my car whose name I am sorry to have forgotten.
They did have to change the pump, and have installed a new pump with a 2 year product guarantee and 1 year service guarantee. That makes me feel good.
The fan had accumulated a lot of muck, but they just cleaned it out and placed it back because there wasn't anything technically wrong with it.
They also checked everything else in the car to check what else was failing and what wasn't.
On a side note, they installed my AUX input that i got from outmotoring.com! iPod - yey!

All in all, car seems to be working far better. The sounds from the engine seem quieter. And I also walked out knowing what other repairs I have to invest in soon.

Thank you all for your help - especially for recommending them. Shall get even basic oil changes done from them now!

 

Great to hear you have had such a good experance.
After my first visit, I decided they are THE shop to go to for work on my MINI.
It is an hour or so from my house, and well worth the drive.

 

@nits231

There is nothing wrong with the fan, but there could be something wrong with your resistor.

Take a look at this
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...lution-16.html

I have done it myself. It works, Before I was afraid of using A/C on traffic because my resistor is shot and thus no fan until engine temp gets really hot.

 

So I am going to them again for my front wheel bushings (have to research what exactly that is). I can ask them about the resistor. But as of now, after changing the pump, the noise has gone and all seems well. In fact (maybe its psychological) I find my car more responsive. Which is great.

 

The resistor he is referring to has to do with the radiator fan...NOT THE PS FAN...different issue. Still interconnected in a way or two, but a different item/problem.
Pete can explain it to you in a few seconds, but it sounds like things are going well.
The bushing will make the car steer like a new car!! +1 (actually better in my case!).

 

All right. I shall ask Pete (or someone) about this day after.
The Bushings I have to get done because I am scared that something will go radically wrong and then I'll have to spend $5000 to repair. Lol. But anyway, John told me that my car will improve magnificently once I get the bushings done.
Can someone tell me what exactly is a bushing? I tried searching, but couldn't understand anything.
And thanks for explaining what a resistor is!

 

The bushings are where metal and metal meet, and need to slide or be joined in a moving joint (a bushing acts as kinda like cartladge in a persons joint, allowing a sliding, joint, that is tight with little free play)....there are many different types of bushings...bust the ones having to do with steering and suspension are the most common...overtime the plastic/rubber bushing wears, get loose, and then there is too much free play...a bit, and things get sloppy, too much, and VERY bad things can happen..like loss of steering, or failure od suspension parts to work effectively....
when it is time to do them, get them done....
When mine were done I was like WOW, I didn't realize the difference (more pressesion on steering, and the car rebounded on bumps straight..it had been slightly twisting...so ride unproved....but like any worn failing part, it needs to be fixed.
With some, the change is subtle, bigger with others, but when they are worn, just put them on the list, and do them.

 

Zippy, thanks so much for explaining what it is. So I know as a fact that my steering has been sloppy, and my car doesn't go in a straight line unless I hold onto the steering wheel tight. initially I thought that it was a wheel balancing issue, but after getting my wheel balance checked, it turned out to not improve much. Fixing this shall improve that for sure.
Thanks for the info again. Shall post now after getting it done. :-)

enjoy!