She heard a loud bang

[Overboost]

Ask the Mrs. if it sounded like a jet just before the fan blew. My guess is the clutch failed and it was trying to spin at 3000 RPM.

[andrewwynn]

Originally Posted by Chip19

The worst part is the whine I hearing now. “I WANT A NEW CAR!”

Mine makes that same sound. (Wife not car).

I just teased her that any time a tire is low on air or ice freezes a window and "the horror" she can't go through Starbucks drive through for "an entire day" her go-to complaint is "get a new car"

We've spent less than $80/month repairing her 18 yr old e53 for going on 3 years which is amazing to me what other car could do that!?

Mine is about 9 months younger just about to turn 17 (based on production month) and has only averaged $40/mo with some substantial repairs involved like all 8 rotors the disa valve alternator thermostat coolant reservoir a couple of door handle carriers etc.

I have to explain that we would pay more in car payments in half a year for a newer car that would cost more in repair and more in insurance.

We have full coverage on both our cars $0 deductible comprehensive for $100/mo total. That's not happening with a newer car. I'm looking for my next X5 always. I'd like to find one with 100,000 miles from 04ish year just to reset the clock a bit but my goal is to get to 280,000 to double the purchased miles on my first x5

[andrewwynn]

Originally Posted by Overboost

Ask the Mrs. if it sounded like a jet just before the fan blew. My guess is the clutch failed and it was trying to spin at 3000 RPM.

It does seem like that was the failure; i never thought of that, i grew up on cars that didn't have a clutch and the fan did spin up to 5000 + RPM, but they were of course designed to deal with that.

[Crowz]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

It does seem like that was the failure; i never thought of that, i grew up on cars that didn't have a clutch and the fan did spin up to 5000 + RPM, but they were of course designed to deal with that.

Yep metal blades

I remember when I got a friend of mine to make me a solid metal piece to replace the fan clutch on my 1985 trans am. It cooled great but sounded like a b17 bomber on final approach when driven. I went back to the fan clutch setup.....

[andrewwynn]

You can't just replace the clutch the fan can't have agressive pitch. The cars I've owned with locked fans had maybe 2-3° pitch to them not like the 30° pitch on my e53. Funny story though


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[Chip19]

Yes, she said high pitch noise very shortly before the bang, as she was accelerating onto the interstate. Not enough time to react to the squeal/jet engine noise. She thought maybe it was the tranny. She was already having a bad day, but she knows to pull over and call me. Besides the fact that it really scared her. She thought it was the tranny because it sounded like it was stuck in a low gear, and was over-reving. Probably just the fan spinning up.

It has just over 204k miles. I think it had 140k when we bought it, I estimated that it was only about half done.

I’ve put urethane thrust bushings on the front, replaced the CV boots, replaced the coolant expansion tank, front window regulators, tail light lenses, cam position sensor, CCV piping, starter, rebuilt the DISA valve, put in usable LED backup lights (and resisters) and probably a couple of other things that I can’t think of at the moment. I would do it all over again to avoid a car payment and depreciation.

I sit in front of a computer all day, and I enjoy escaping to the physical world as much as I can.

I need to fix her other car before I can get this one on the lift to do a complete list of required parts. Good news is that I can replace the oil filter bracket gasket, and find out what’s vibrating in the front end at the same time. I think it may need a new steering box/rack. I gave the tie rods a good shake already, and couldn’t feel any play.

It may be time to part it out, and get one a few years newer only with adjustable lumbar support. This one is an ‘02. I’m thinking if under $1000 for parts, that I’ll fix it up and sell it on.

[Chip19]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

We've spent less than $80/month repairing her 18 yr old e53 for going on 3 years which is amazing to me what other car could do that!?

Saab —- sigh — I have two of them, and I will be very sad when I can no longer get parts.

[Chip19]

I explained to her about the fan clutch. She said “it’s not the first time it made that noise. I probably should have told you when it happened before - about a week ago.”

Oh well, being intermittent I probably wouldn’t have been able to identify the source.

[Crowz]

Cheapest to own I think is either my 1970 ford falcon or the 2000 bmw 323i.

The 323i has cost $4 a month in repairs for 18 years and 400,000 miles.

The falcon cost... well... nothing in 48 years repairs wise.

Thing has 100,000 miles on it with the factory hoses, water pump etc.

The carb needs rebuilding, the brakes need changing but still runs and drives.

I don't count plugs, oil changes in this since we seem to be only discussing repairs.

[Crowz]

I explained to her about the fan clutch. She said “it’s not the first time it made that noise. I probably should have told you when it happened before - about a week ago.”

Oh well, being intermittent I probably wouldn’t have been able to identify the source.

The way I figure it if the wife pulls over when something goes wrong that's about all I can ask of her.

Wife had a warning of overheating on her pacifica a few weeks ago and she looked down and the temp gauge was climbing or pegged. Anyways she pulled over instantly and called me. Drove 20 miles to check it out and the antifreeze wasn't showing in the tank. I looked around with my flashlight and followed a coolant leak to the top radiator hose being completely off the radiator and the hose clamp dangling 1/2 way down the hose. I guess the previous owner/repair person didn't tighten the clamp. Put the hose back on and tightened the clamp, topped off the antifreeze and cranked it up. Good to go.

Hasn't given a problem since. Her fast thinking saved the motor. I was so proud of her.