Power steering fan is gone!

[thanos30]

I initially had a power steering cooling fan. Today I changed my oil and saw it was GONE! There doesn't appear to be any damage to the bolts or the wiring connector. The dealer claims there is no reason to remove it except for power steering problems, which I haven't had. It is cleanly gone - and I'm now out of warranty. Maybe it loosened itself and fell off?

I've read that early prod. MINIs don't have a ps cooling fan. Is it necessary, or am I stuck paying $130 to replace?

[thanos30]

To be positive, maybe a kind techie saw that it was broken, took it off, but was in a hurry and forgot to mention it.

I've checked my ps fluid, reservoir was full, steering works fine.

If it really was the dealer's fault, I've been driving for 3 months and 9,400 miles without the fan. My fear - I need the fan, at least for summer when it's 100 F. What if I use a 4" computer fan instead?

But then I think, the fan's so small, the power steering doesn't have a little radiator, can it really help from overheating? BMWs do not have a ps fan, and neither did early MINIs - Nov '01 build:
http://www.mini2.com/forum/general-discussion/15094-i-dont-have-power-steering-fan.html

[thanos30]

I took the blow and bought the MINI fan. To save $140 on the fan so I can then pay $1,000 for the power steering pump and rack - no sense.

[thanos30]

I'm convinced one dealer (I've been to 2 in the last year) took off the power steering fan. I know I had a fan last May (happens to be in a picture). There was no damage to the wire connector or bolts. The dealer says no normal maintenance would require removal. However, my oil pan was removed and the fan is 1 inch away.

So depending on whether it was a well intentioned tech as mentioned before, or a number of lazy ones. Either:

1) Both dealers are guilty: dealer 1 who took it off (with the oil pan), and dealer 2 to never notice at oil changes OR

2) Dealer 2 who took it off and forget to mention it.

The dealers take a hard line, there's no proof of anything, and I'm out of waranty. Great way to build trust.

[thanos30]

Quote: Originally Posted by Max

Yeah that sucks

Well at least they are consistent worldwide

Max

They are definitely pretty consistently low grade in Northern California, and "Dealer 2" is the best regarded one around here.

I figure the fan cost me about $15 per ounce - more than silver! I didn't notice when I paid, my local dealership also charged me $1 per self locking nut.

On the whole, I do like the parts guys, very helpful, very interested in the cars. It's the salesmen and service advisors that are poor.