With all the threads about the radiator fan, here is a problem I haven't seen before.

The radiator fan on my 2008 Clubman isn't coming on and the car is overheating when I idle. It's fine when I'm driving.

Here's the part I haven't seen before. I popped the hood and tapped the fan housing with a hammer and it came on.

I turned it off and the fan ran for awhile. When it stopped, I started the car again. This time I took a small stick and gave the blades a little lush and again it started spinning. (Be careful trying this at home. Keep your fingers out of the way and maybe wear eye protection in case the stick flies at your face.)

Has anyone else had this issue?

Is the fan shot or could I clean it out /lube it up, etc.? If so, what should I use?

 

Sounds like a typical electric motor (brushes) age/failure/dirt/corrosion. Can happen on a lot of things.

In this case, the solution is probably to replace the fan, as it's likely an entire kit.

If you really wanted an adventure, you could probably disassemble the entire kit and clean the electric motor, brushes and commutator like we did in the old days, but replacing a $70(?) fan may be a better/quicker solution.

 

If I'm going to go through the trouble of taking it out I'll just replace it.

I may see if I can clean it up a little while it's still on the car.Maybe some Dust-Off from the computer store and a little white lithium grease or something.

I won't have the time to replace it or a couple of weeks or so.