R57 Cooling fan not working

[JHodge]

I have an R57 cooper s 2009, the cooling fan just will not kick in at all, I know that it is not the thermostat as this has been changed, it's not the resistor as both fan speeds work when direct power is put to it, the relays and fuses seem to be intact, the CTS has also been replaced. I am completely running out of ideas and help would be much appreciated

[E-bmw]

You haven't mentioned a radiator coolant temperature element, has it got one & if so has that ben replaced/checked as that is what will set when the fan comes on.

[JHodge]

Yes the coolant temperature sensor has been replaced and also the resistor on the radiator is working as both radiator speeds work when connect straight to the battery

[21TonyK]

Have you gone through the dash control/screen and looked at the coolant temp to see what its doing?

My R56 fan was failing to cut in, turned out a replacement thermostat housing was needed but sounds like you have that covered.

[JHodge]

I’ve installed a temp gauge on idle the temp just doesn’t stop going up ran it to about 105/107degrees before switching it off started steaming and coolant boiling with over spill out of the cap aswell, but yeah thermostat has been done twice just to make sure🤣

[E-bmw]

It sounds like it's possible there could be no water getting pumped round the engine, so either you have a blockage/air lock or the pump isn't working.

Where did you install the gauge?

Edited by E-bmw on Wednesday 21st May 07:47

[JHodge]

Okay I’ll have a look into that thanks, looking into it online does seem to have all the symptoms of this including a scrapping sorta sound I assumed something to do with brakes but this is making more sense.

I have mounted it on the right side of the rev counter.

[E-bmw]

JHodge said:

I have mounted it on the right side of the rev counter.

I mean where is it taking it's temperature reading from?

[JHodge]

Ofcourse haha, Top radiator hose just below the coolant tank.
When I put it in I did just cut the hose with draining it and coolant just dribbled out barely anything, was expecting a lot more but just assumed it was because the car wasn’t running

Edited by JHodge on Thursday 22 May 14:47

[E-bmw]

Yep, sounds like a full-on air lock at the minimum.

Get it filled up properly & bled, then see what happens.

[JHodge]

Do you reckon it would be worth me just doing the water pump anyway I can’t see any record of it being done, it’s at 87k miles

[E-bmw]

Assuming the water pump is part of the cambelt kit, surely it is now well overdue if it hasn't been done already?

[JHodge]

Water pump isn’t part of the cambelt kit, they are chain driven and i have an invoice for the timing chain being done but cant find any evidence of a water pump being done.
I changed the coolant sensor again and it seems to be working so maybe the other one that was put it was a faulty part.

[E-bmw]

Ah, yes, my bad I forgot they are a chain engine.

Fingers crossed that is it, however I would still be looking to bleed the arse off it with what you have seen so far.

[JHodge]

Went to change the water pump but looks like a fairly new one in there so 1 less job, completely flushed the coolant and replaced it and bled it so hopefully we should be all good from here.
Thankyou for your help much appreciated