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#1
03-16-2017, 09:50 PM
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Driving without Fan Clutch (waiting for parts to arrive)
So, my 2005 X5 M54 with 125K miles...
My factory Behr Fan Clutch decided to make noise. I can see the fan blades wobbling during engine running. With engine off, I rock the fan blade at 3 and 9 o'clock position, it moves like this (youtube video is from an M5, not my car, just to show the wobbling): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n7BnhchH0g From years on forum, I know some people do fine (different BMW models) without fan clutch. Some installed an electric fan and some simply removed the fan clutch. We all know that some fan movement is "probably" important when it is hot summer and car is < 10 mph speed. At highway speed, there is no need for the Fan Clutch at all. - So, I am now running without Fan Clutch, I just avoid prolonged stop. The Aux Fan (in front of Ac condenser) works fine and only on demand. - Ordered a new Sachs for $87 (yes do NOT use Behr as Behr quality is not the same as 10 years ago) Fan Clutch, it should arrive soon. So: 1. Who in this forum runs without Fan Clutch? 2. Any issues?
__________________
1998 E39 528i 5sp MT 2006 E53 X5 3.0 6sp MT 
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#2
03-16-2017, 10:32 PM
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Good day!!
It is so amazing that this question would come up today... Just yesterday I pulled the clutch and fan out of my 2001 540i/6 because it was starting to wobble and cavitate... I did extensive research on installing an electric fan from one of our E53's and I think it will work with the aide of an E46 fan speed controller... I have not witnessed or even read of any ill effects in cooler than summer climates... When in the summer, it is IMPERATIVE that your AUX fan is fully operational, and even more important on your M52 motors... Most times on the 3.0L's, that little needle on the temp gauge doesn't tell you the motor is hot, it indicates you popped your head gasket... Exaggerating, please don't yell at me... I think it wouldn't be hard to swap in the electric fan from the 4.4L version to work with your 3.0L... BUT, I don't know for sure... Good luck!!! Cheers!!
__________________
2001 E53 X5 4.4i (03-07-2001 build date) White exterior / hellbeige interior (6MT swap vehicle - Manny) 2002 E53 X5 4.6is (12-20-2001 build date) Imola Red exterior / M-texture interior (Red) 2003 E53 X5 4.4i (06-26-2003 build date) Silver exterior / Black interior (Silvester II) 2008 Mini Cooper S ragtop (04-17-2008 build date) Dark Silver exterior / Gray interior ( Topless) BMWCCA member (#4745)
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#3
03-16-2017, 10:39 PM
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I already bought a Sachs Fan Clutch (arriving soon), I am planning to go back to stock, which is set up with Fan Clutch.
For your 540i E39, check the engine mounts. Look for the DIY by "BlackBMWs" in bimmerforums on how to replace the engine mounts.
__________________
1998 E39 528i 5sp MT 2006 E53 X5 3.0 6sp MT
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#4
03-17-2017, 01:39 AM
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Quote:
I put new motor mounts in when I rebuilt the motor about 20K miles ago... The original fan and clutch were used after the rebuild and it wasn't long when they exploded one bitterly cold morning... I lost my coolant sensor, hoses, and the shroud... I replaced all that with used parts... My fan exploded again just recently, again on a bitterly cold morning last month... I put on one I had from a 4.4L X5 water pump pull... Aftermarket fan, but OEM clutch... The clutch must have been bad right away... It would wobble and allow the fan to sit still with the motor running... No resistance at all on the clutch... Very odd to see actually... I pulled it and am now looking to just run electric... Cheers!!!
__________________
2001 E53 X5 4.4i (03-07-2001 build date) White exterior / hellbeige interior (6MT swap vehicle - Manny) 2002 E53 X5 4.6is (12-20-2001 build date) Imola Red exterior / M-texture interior (Red) 2003 E53 X5 4.4i (06-26-2003 build date) Silver exterior / Black interior (Silvester II) 2008 Mini Cooper S ragtop (04-17-2008 build date) Dark Silver exterior / Gray interior ( Topless) BMWCCA member (#4745)
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#5
03-18-2017, 05:13 AM
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Quote:
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#6
03-18-2017, 06:22 AM
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Quote:
Cheers!
__________________
2001 E53 X5 4.4i (03-07-2001 build date) White exterior / hellbeige interior (6MT swap vehicle - Manny) 2002 E53 X5 4.6is (12-20-2001 build date) Imola Red exterior / M-texture interior (Red) 2003 E53 X5 4.4i (06-26-2003 build date) Silver exterior / Black interior (Silvester II) 2008 Mini Cooper S ragtop (04-17-2008 build date) Dark Silver exterior / Gray interior ( Topless) BMWCCA member (#4745)
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#7
03-16-2017, 10:40 PM
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I do on my e46 330xi. Have been for about a year. I took it out to swap the radiator, which turned into more stuff since I broke some things and never put it back in. I monitor temps with my app and it stays between 190 and 210 on a hot day. I am planning on putting in an electric fan on it and I am sure you can do that with your 3.0.
I even let the car idle for 30 min and it never got hotter than 210.
__________________
2004 E60 545i Sport 6MT. Black/Black Build Date 6-2004 102k miles
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#9
03-16-2017, 10:48 PM
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Yup. I hear the fan in the front turn on every now and then while driving. I got the idea of going without the fan from bimmerfest in the e39 section. Some member drove years without in Cali and in stop and go traffic with the ac on.
__________________
2004 E60 545i Sport 6MT. Black/Black Build Date 6-2004 102k miles
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#10
03-16-2017, 10:49 PM
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And it sure was nice not having that fan in when the voltage regulator went out on it. Made taking out the alt pretty straight forward.
__________________
2004 E60 545i Sport 6MT. Black/Black Build Date 6-2004 102k miles
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