I've experienced it myself ..... and I can't count the number of times I've read about all of the problems associated with the power steering fan - getting stuck, stopping, causing overheating, dead batteries, etal. Why MINI hasn't done much of anything to fix the problem is one thing, but I've never read anything about people who are using the Moss/Cobalt stainless steel shroud/cover. It looks like it should work. Whats the deal ?

 

You can do the same for under $5. I did it with my last MCS and about to do it this week on my new MCS. Get some of that mesh looking gutter gaurd and cut it to fit over the power steering fan. You can attatch it with short self tapping screws on the edge of the fan. I prefer shallow head screws so the screws run less of a chance of grabbing something such as a bag.

It provides added security and doesn't look bad. Plus, why spend a lot on a chrome cover when no ones going to see it anyway.

 

I think the 2004 on Mini's (and some late 2003's?) have a stock plastic grill over the Power Steering fan. I had Steve (of Steve's Auto Clinic fame) put one of the Cobalt shields on when he put in my Alta Pulley. Takes like 5 minutes if the car is already jacked up. He thought it was worth doing as the stock plastic grill was adequate and a definite improvement over having nothing, but the Colbalt unit was much stronger.

Dave

 

Does the fan run all the time? How can I tell if mine has gone bad, other than the lack of power steering?

 

It's hard to tell how well they work but I've had one on for about a year and have not had any problems. Moss has them on sale for $20 and they take 15 minutes to fit.

 

The problem is that the cooling fan for the pump is susceptible to stones, dirt, other foreign objects; they can cause the fan to stop running. Your power steering will still work. But the fuse for the fan will often pop and take with it the coolant fan, which can cause overheating etc, etc, ad nauseum.
I'm getting the impression that most people don't do anything to protect against this happening ... and then just let MINI take care of it under warranty.

 

For those not up to fabricating a shield, MiniMania.com has one:

http://new.minimania.com/web/Item/NM.../InvDetail.cfm