1st Gen R53 Cooper S Mini Cooper S (R53): Power Steering Pump/Fan/Duct Installation

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by wrh3, Jun 15, 2010.

  1. FUEGO

    FUEGO Club Coordinator

    May 4, 2009
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    Not sure when MINI introduced the duct but our Oct '04 R52 Cooper didn't have it, nor did my Aug '05 MCS. But my wife's Sept '06 MCS did. Sometime during the track off-season I plan to "clean up" my MCS's pump and add the duct. Not so for our R52 Cooper though because she'll be headed elsewhere as soon as the new roadsters hit the ground :D
     
  2. ZippyNH

    ZippyNH Well-Known Member

    Jan 25, 2010
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    #42 ZippyNH, Oct 24, 2010
    Last edited: Oct 24, 2010
    I've had the duct kit on my 05 since middle of 07 I think.....no issues...simple install....is cheaper than a new PS cooling fan...so if it just keeps the fan alive longer, it will pay for itself!!
    When I do my oil changes, the fan seems to been cleaner, and looser...
    The one negative is the duct must be moved to drain the oil....so an extra 2 minutes to remove the 2 clips....
     
  3. ZippyNH

    ZippyNH Well-Known Member

    Jan 25, 2010
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    The duct, if I remember right were standard on only the 06+ cabrios "s" only, auto tranny since the spaces a tighter, and airflow is less. Moss is the only seller of the duct that I know of. The kit fits perfect on a r53 manual...I did have to drill 2 holes in my PS fan shroud to connect it...the newer ones have holes in it for the clips.
    Considering how $$$ the PS pump is....I think it is a nobrainer mod!! Not sexy, but heck, it could save a tone of $$$.
     
  4. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    Apr 23, 2009
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    2 questions about post-replacement, when everything is buttoned back up and ready for fluid:

    1 - Does anyone know the capacity of the system? I have a can of the right Pentosin fluid but it's not full so I'm trying to decide whether I need to get another. I could buy one just in case but I don't need a new can of fluid siting there aging and wasting space on the shelf if I already have enough.

    2 - When bleeding the PS system is it better to have the weight of the car on the ground or will it work just as well with the tires in the air (car still on jack stands)?

    thanks
     
  5. wrh3

    wrh3 New Member

    May 18, 2010
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    1. When I replaced mine I think I used maybe 80% of one can?

    2. Up in the air is fine, you don't want any resistance until the air is out of the system.
     
  6. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    Apr 23, 2009
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    Thanks.

    I can't believe the power steering fluid capacity isn't listed in either the Bentley manual or the Haynes. Neither do either of them say anything about whether resistance to turning is good or bad while bleeding...I'm glad I asked. :Thumbsup:
     
  7. EUNOS96

    EUNOS96 New Member

    Dec 18, 2012
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    awesome write-up. I didn't realize how easy of a job it was with this external electric unit. I've got just about 200k on my R53 and it's just now going out on mine. I'd say bravo to MINI for making it last that long, regardless of its current failure.
     
  8. tmors424

    tmors424 New Member

    May 14, 2010
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    Isen't that what the fan is for? :Thumbsup:
     

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