Evening disaster 2003 3.0 can't handle the cold!!!

[ecproductions85]

so i have been around for a couple of years and usually just get on to browse when I am having slight issues. I bought my x in 2007 with 48k and has been a fairly decent ride def had its issues though. When I drove it off the lot it needed FSR, pixels where damaged but I got a heck of deal and I am fairly mech. inclined and said I can handle it. Had to put on alternator at around 55k as I had the notorious shut down of the electrical system. Car has been everything I wanted for the climate that I live and this thing handles like a dream in all conditions. For those who never get to use there x in the snow well Ill have to say your missing out. Well I have been pretty much problem free till about 3 months ago when I started to get s sound that kinda sounded like marbles in ur hand when you move them around def hard to explain. Well it began to get pretty cold around my way and after deciding they it was probly Idler pulley I said hey ill fix it come spring. Yesterday I went up to ski for while and on the way home I seen this little red light flicker and seen that it was the red battery light flickering on and off. I was like DAMN battery, alternator, voltage regulator. well I make it home and grab my volt meter thingy and run some test with the car started I am at 10.9 car off 11.7. Ok alternator def takin a poop only after a year. Its a bosch alternator refurb with lifetime warranty so not to big of a deal. take car of it tomorrow. Grab my jump box and hope in the x and head for town to see some friends. I make it about a block and realize no heat. I had just got home from a good 45 min mountain ride and knew the car was warm temp gage was good so I am like WHAT THE F***. I get to the stop sign and see smoke/steam. I hear a hiss like a hose is busted or some sort so I take it back to the house and and pull her in the garage and find this.........(pics below)

not really sure what the problem is or what failed I know water pumps are capable of failing and causing damge like this but the wter pump looks fine still in place and doesnt seem to be leaking. They sound I was getting wasnt really a chirp that the water pump is suppose to make. I havent done anything to the x as of yet but I guess Ill be buying a radiator , fan blade( i am assuming fan cutch is still good) fan shroud, and I guess a water pump while everythings out.

PSSSS I started the car today and they marbly sound is gone. not sure if its from the fan clutch and now that the blades are gone ,no load I dunno anyones input will be helpful and motivational to resurect the X before the next snowstorm hits

[ecproductions85]

bump anyone surely someone has had a similiar problem

[primetime]

The marbley sound is usually related to the VANOS if its not your water pump. Start searching this board on VANOS threads...hope this helps.

[CTSportX5]

From the pics it looks as though the waterpump bearing busted causing the wobbly fan and most of its blades shearing off. This is common with water pump failures. Looks like you need a whole cooling system overhaul.

Is there play with the busted fan?

[aaron0558]

Happened to me about 2 yrs ago. Disregarded marble sound for approx. 2 wks. and whammo....bearing in the water pump seized and fan blade was in pieces. Found a 3 inch piece above the belly pan about 6 mo's ago while changing oil

[X5rolls]

Check for movement in the fan side to side - bet it is loose and the bearings went.

[wallyx5]

Originally Posted by CTSportX5

From the pics it looks as though the waterpump bearing busted causing the wobbly fan and most of its blades shearing off. This is common with water pump failures. Looks like you need a whole cooling system overhaul.

Is there play with the busted fan?

What you described as the marble sound is what happened to me when my water pump bearing went out.

[flyingmachine]

you were lucky because it looks like those disintegrated fan blades didn't destroy other things like hood, power steering hoses...

think this way, the parts it damaged are probably about time for replacement anyways.

[ecproductions85]

Folks after further review I am leaning towards the fan clutch failing its is wobbly from side to side, water pump seems to be in great condition its def OEM and Its at 80k its getting replaced while everything is removed. Been making the sound for 3 months now and I have been driving it extremly hard here latley in the snow susprised it lasted this long should have addressed the issue when I discovered the noise, the noise was very minimal and went away with rpm raise.

anyone have any experience with these fan clutches. the fan DOES not move freely on the bearing seems to be locked up and spinning const. I have noticed in the last 2 weeks it taking longer than normal to warm up any thoughts on that?

[ecproductions85]

I compared my water pump tonight to a refurb bosch from parts store, mine rolls like a hot knife through butter just like the new one. Regardless its getting replaced, but I REALLY wanna know the MAIN cause for future reference and to help fellow members. The least I can do