1st Gen R53 Cooper S Random off whirring noise

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by melvinyip, Sep 4, 2015.

  1. melvinyip

    melvinyip New Member

    Apr 26, 2015
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    Hi guys, I've been having this odd whirring noise when the ac blower is on.
    It comes and go randomly.

    The noise would be slightly louder if I increase the blower speed, and will ONLY be gone if I turn off the blower completely. Sometimes it would just randomly go away without doing anything. It's pretty annoying and I'm A little bit afraid something would be broken anytime soon.

    Would be great if anyone could give me a heads up on this issue and how can I solve it / prevent it from getting worst or causing further damage to my AC. Cheers

    [ame="http://youtu.be/ATbouu7F2lw"]YouTube[/ame]
     
  2. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Jul 31, 2009
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    It sounds like the barings may be going out on your blower fan. When was the last time you changed your cabin filter? Also what is the year and model of your Mini?
    It looks like a R53 JCW
     
  3. melvinyip

    melvinyip New Member

    Apr 26, 2015
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    It's a MCSa 2006, cabin filter changed couple of months back. Any chances of fixing the blower fan bearing?
     
  4. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    May 4, 2009
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    Bearing on the fan or simply a dirty fan blade. And it's not easy to get to........

    Bentley manual will be needed.
     
  5. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    If it's a bearing you have to replace the fan motor.
     
  6. ZippyNH

    ZippyNH Well-Known Member

    Jan 25, 2010
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    try this...
    Remove the filter...
    lie on your back..and reach up...you can touch the fan..car off obviously...will be about as far as you can reach...find it...then you can take a TINY bit of grease....and finds the same spot, with the grease on your finger tip...and put the dab on the center bearing area...the fan is a squirrel cage style fan...look at realOEM for a pic...
    I did this at about 40,000 miles...was still fine at 96,000 when i sold it...no odd noises!!:):D
    I first tried to use the super LONG HOSE from a can of seafoam and some MOBIL 1 spay-lube (great stuff, but $$$$, has not been made in years) then greased it...i held the hose at the center...and had the wife push the can top...if you have a great lube you like, you can try the two step process....
    my mechanic said changing the fan was a PITA....so was trying to avoid it...a rattle free MINI is rare, and I did not want to take the dash apart and start any...
     
  7. melvinyip

    melvinyip New Member

    Apr 26, 2015
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    Thank you so much for the advice!! Was worry that I would need to take apart my
    Dash to fix this! Will give it a shot. Thank you once again!!
     
  8. melvinyip

    melvinyip New Member

    Apr 26, 2015
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    By the way, is this the fan u were referring to?
    [​IMG]
     
  9. melvinyip

    melvinyip New Member

    Apr 26, 2015
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    Hey guys, just reporting back on the issue. Sound didn't appear for weeks after applying grease onto the middle bearing of the fan motor. Solution seems to be holding up well so far. Thank you!
     
  10. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Thanks for letting us know what the out come was! Congrats
     

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