Lou, how much did the pump set you back?

 

Holy crap. My car is 2 months older than yours and same mileage. I need to check the fan. Whenever I'm under there, I test it and it spins freely. Maybe I should just replace it for piece of mind.

 

I just had the after-market fan guard installed on my PS fan. So far the fan and pump are operating the way they should.

 

I replaced mine about 10K miles ago, but thanks for the heads up.

Got the updated version of OEM FAn so no guard is required it is built in....and it was on my door step in 2 days....takes only 5 mins to install.

Here: http://www.bavauto.com/shop.asp

 

+1. Had the fan replaced with the newly designed one about 10Kmiles ago... Recently, PS pump went dead, came back, went dead during the same day. I had it replaced the next day, because even one day was enough to live with the idea of my car bursting into flames. I parked it outside of my house during the night, and at the top level, away from all the cars at work; didn't carry any passengers, etc.

This is scary indeed!

 

Fan replacement is a good idea, but the pumps can and do fail on there own.

 

Yikes!

So, did the fan die and the pump started burning (but continued to provide power steering for a while) before you parked? (Then was kaput the next morning?)

 

Holy cow! As crazy as it sounds, I'm sure you know you were very lucky you don't have a char-grilled MINI!

 

Holy crap. If your MINI got on fire because of that dumb fan, would insurance cover something like that?

 

Mine went out two weeks ago (same scenario, although I didn't see it to verify that it was charcoal). 02 Cooper CVT. This is my third go-round with the power steering components, including pump replacement, column issues, and now the fan (and wiring harness and thermo). Apparently the fan locked, the fuse blew, the car overheated (quickly), and fused the thermo housing. I'm still trying to fix the resulting problems, and am up to about $1100 at this point (on this month's problem).

I'm really disturbed to see that this seems to be a not-uncommon problem. Personally, I can't believe the wiring harness upgrade wasn't a recall issue, because from what I understand it has either been the cause of my problem, or at least the reason it went from bad to much worse.

I'd appreciate any tips in dealing with my dealer. I tried to go to a private MINI repair person, but his work didn't fix the coolant leak and now he won't return my calls. Indy's definitely no place to own an out-of-warranty MINI.

 

miniconcarne,
thanks for making this thread and including photos.
billie

 

I also would like tips/suggestions as to this issue. MINI-USA told me to take it to the dealer. If they agree to help out they "MAY" pay for some of it.
I need to get in touch with a service rep.

I also feel this should be a recall.


Check this out:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/faults-fixes/49527-important-have-you-had-power-steering-pump-failure-please-vote-yes-no-47.htmlA

According to this poll more than half have had failures!!!

 

While I agree that this is a problem area, less than 1500 respondents is probably not a valid portrayal of the actual numbers.

 

Yes, those are just the numbers from that particular forum. Could much higher!

 

This is scaring me! Should I get this new fan or would it be ok just to get the cover under neath it? how do you install it? thanks!

 

Sorry - I didn't see the question frenchie- The cost for the replacement unit was $350 plus $15 freight from BBA. I feel it is worth it to have the unlimited replacement available..I think this may be a common issue. Add another $23 for the fluid from BMW and we are on the road for $388. Week two with no problems from the amateur mechanics work (me). Cost quoted from the local MINI dealer was $1350.
I would do it again...BBA was very helpful even though the cost was higher than expected...a board problem rather than a run on problem. I don't know the cost difference for the two repairs.
Take care all.

 

i dun know muhc abt my car....now i am scared

 

Judging by some of the comments, it appears that some MINI owners are seeing PS pumps catching on fire for the first time. This has been going on for a looooong time. Just check the sticky at the top of this sub-forum.

 

Looong time! Not the first time I noticed this, but STILL happening. I just wanted to tell my story. Horrified at the carnage! I was hoping this item was a recall issue. I figured if they recall exhaust tips, why not pump-a-que?

 

See... you hit the spot. The exhaust tips -apparently- burn people, the failed pumps so far did not burn anyone (luckily). It's crazy how the recall items are determined, dont you think?

 

This probably belongs in Post #1 of the Spontaneous Engine Bay Fires sticky (and I see the OP has posted in that thread recently).

Problem is, I see that SCoop hasn't updated the list since April of last year, and has not even posted anywhere on NAM for a year. What a shame -- this first post was a nice running tally but now it's missing valuable, supplemental data.

 

It is. Power steering pump replacement is pricey, bad press for people burning their legs is costly!!

I really do consider myself lucky, it very well could have caught fire in my garage. I hope this never happens, but it could....

 

2006 MCS with 25,000 miles on it. It's not super loud yet, but it is audible...I'm hearing a high pitched whine coming from the engine bay while the car is idling (can't hear it when inside the cockpit, but when standing outside). Reminds me of a whine I heard from a similar MINI (way louder, but same pitch) while at the dealer once when the MA said that's the sound of the power steering pump going bad. Is this accurate or do most R53 MINIs have such a whine (when it's not the supercharger)?
Thanks,
Greg

 

if it's whining quite bad send it to bba remanufacturing in taunton ma. for a rebuild . 200.00 plus 25.00 shipping plus a warranty . try to beat that .

 

My steering died a few weeks ago, and we decided to order the Haynes Mini book and check the fan, fuse, etc. ourselves and attempt the Power Steering Pump cleaning if needed. After waiting a week and half for the book, it finally arrived. $30.
We then discovered we needed the following:
a torque wrench ($16 from Pep Boys), extra Pentosin fluid ($22 from BMW), three self locking nuts ($2.34 ea also from BMW), and a socket set with a various sizes to get the nuts and bolts off. We also used a screwdriver to remove the hose clamp (called a circlip in the book.)
So we managed to get the fan off, fluid out, but are having trouble removing the hose pipe from the reservoir on top from the pump itself. We got the clip off, two bolts in the back, the single bolt from the supply pipe and now we are stuck.
Can someone tell us how to get the pump out?
And is it easier to get the pump out if we remove the pipe and electrical plugs first?

Thanks so much, we are totally stuck :S