So I was doing my first oil change today and went to check my PS fan. It is very hard to move. So where can I get just the fan? How can I check for other damage that the fan being out may have caused? I have only and the car for about 4000 miles with a total of 51000 miles on the car. I need the car for a 4 hour road trip (straight highway all the way) How serious is it to be done soon? It looked like it was just 4 screws holding it on.

 

Classic MINI in Ohio has a nice NAM discount. It is an easy swap out. Just 4 screws/bolts & a wire connector. I'd recommend doing it you do not want to cook the power steering motor.

 

Swapping out the fan is easy...just unbolt the bracket, then remove the 4 screws (some early ones has rivits you must drill out) and install the new fan. There is also one electrical plug to plug/unplug.
The fans can be ordered 2 ways...with the bracket, and without...it is so simple to reuse the bracket, I'd rather save the $30 and twist 4 screws!! The fan runs 140-180$.
If you remove the old one, use some compressed air, blow it out, then lube it up, reinstall it for your trip...it should be fine for a trip. Just be sure to check the fuse for it...it my be in the inside...depends on if the wiring has been modded, and order a new fan.

 

Ps...with only 40,000+ I'm on my 3rd fan...that's why I spent the 79.00 to get the power steering fan duct kit from moss (oem). So fsr the last replacement is goung strong, and spins as smoothly as a fan with a magnet it it ever will. It does much more than a simple shield to protect the fan from sand during the winter that seems to destroy the bearings in the fans.
Newer fans also have a thermal cutoff fuse of sorts to prevent a fire if the fan gets stuck, and he electric fuse does not blow...that is that extra box next to the electric plug on the replacement fan.

 

130k miles and 6 years on original ps fan - no issues.

 

OK, thanks for the info all I dont think I can get the part changed by the time I need to leave for the wedding tho.(shipping the part and all that) Since the drive will be open highway (~75mph) is the fan that necessary for the trip?

 

The fan only operates at high temperature and/or when the a/c is on. If temperatures there are mid 70's/80's, I wouldn't worry about it for one trip. You will find that most have only two nuts to take off of the studs and only to unplug the wiring. Very easy to replace in minutes.