A/C Aux Fan difficult to replace?

[Best4x4xFAR]

I've searched and searched, but I must be using the wrong key words. I'm sure others have replaced the auxiliary fan on an E53. Is it difficult? Are the parts expensive? Are there any DIY's posted for this? Our A/C works fine when we are moving, but goes warm at idle. Dealer wants $1,200 to replace the fan Seems a bit ridiculous to me, no? Thanks..

[upallnight]

Look up bumper removal since the bumper needs to be removed. The fan is removed from the bottom of the X. Just two bolts secure the fan to the radiator support.

Perhaps there's a youtube video on either the fan removal or the bumpr removal.

[upallnight]

Youtube video to remove the front bumper cover.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rZ31Ia7Lqo

[David.X5]

There is a DIY - I had to do this myself already - http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ditioning.html

You will have to completely remove the front bumper cover (I asked a friend to come over and help to avoid scratching it, but it wasn't such a hard job, the parking distance sensors are the only PITA part of that) and then you can wiggle and jiggle the old shroud and fan out and the new one in.


FCP Euro sells the Behr fan for around $340. If you are a repeat customer, they have coupon codes to knock another $10 off that price. The Behr is OEM for many of the cooling parts, can't say for sure who made the original fan. I have had no problems with mine yet.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by David.X5

There is a DIY - I had to do this myself already - http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ditioning.html

You will have to completely remove the front bumper cover (I asked a friend to come over and help to avoid scratching it, but it wasn't such a hard job, the parking distance sensors are the only PITA part of that) and then you can wiggle and jiggle the old shroud and fan out and the new one in.


FCP Euro sells the Behr fan for around $340. If you are a repeat customer, they have coupon codes to knock another $10 off that price. The Behr is OEM for many of the cooling parts, can't say for sure who made the original fan. I have had no problems with mine yet.

Siemens

[Best4x4xFAR]

Thanks Everyone!

[Best4x4xFAR]

Well, installed the new fan this weekend. A/C is nice and cold at a stand still once again. Wasn't too bad, worst part was getting the old one out, seemed to be stuck in the upper clips.

Or maybe I should say the worst part of it was that it was taken to a dealer, cause half the front bumper bolts were loose, there was a new little ding in the front fender, and a recently replaced CV boot now has an awfully clean looking slice in it (with nearly no spray yet around the wheel, so it is fresh)..

I hate to be accusatory, but it sure seems like some retaliation for not paying them $1,200 to replace the fan

[cn90]

Tons of DIYs in E39 forum...

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by Best4x4xFAR

Well, installed the new fan this weekend. A/C is nice and cold at a stand still once again. Wasn't too bad, worst part was getting the old one out, seemed to be stuck in the upper clips.

Or maybe I should say the worst part of it was that it was taken to a dealer, cause half the front bumper bolts were loose, there was a new little ding in the front fender, and a recently replaced CV boot now has an awfully clean looking slice in it (with nearly no spray yet around the wheel, so it is fresh)..

I hate to be accusatory, but it sure seems like some retaliation for not paying them $1,200 to replace the fan

I'm curious as to how a dealer could have those things to your X if you did the fan replacement yourself.

[Best4x4xFAR]

Originally Posted by upallnight

I'm curious as to how a dealer could have those things to your X if you did the fan replacement yourself.

Okay, here is the long story...

Took the X5 to the dealer because the air was blowing warm at a stop, fine when moving. Assumed it was the Aux Fan, and asked them to check its operation, since I did not know how to effectively test the fan, given it uses a PWM signal to operate..

Dealer called and said they had to evacuate the A/C system, and refill with a refrigerant with Dye to check for leaks, $279 please..

I had a conversation with the service advisor, told him I did not believe that was he issue, since it worked fine at speed, and told him I wanted them to verify operation of the cooling fan before authorizing that service.

Service Adviser called back and said there were 'no codes' for the fan operation, and that the center vents were warm, but the outside vents cool, which means the charge is low.

I disputed this, and told them that was not my experience, and asked them AGAIN about checking the fan. I was told the Fan checked out fine, and that this was what needed to be done. So I told them to go ahead..

Dealer called the next day said it was fixed, they added a pound of refrigerant, come get it..

Wife Picked it up, paid the $279. Drove it that night, not fixed, same exact issue persisted. Took it back to the dealer the next day. Service adviser said it felt cold to him at idle (have no idea how, it didn't even resemble cold). No loaner cars available, will call when they have a car for us and will take it back to look at it..

Week later we called, and took it back.. This time (After they had it for 7 business days) they diagnosed it as a bad Aux Fan (Really, you don't say?). $1,200 please..

Raised Hell, made them commit to refunding the original $279 toward repairs. Was not happy with the quoted price. Asked the service manager for a reasonable discount (life has been hectic, car was already there, I was prepared to bend over and take it if we could work something out). Despite the misdiagnosis, charging for un0needed services I told them were not needed, returning the car as fixed when it clearly was not, and jerking me around for another week before getting it back in, the service manager was not willing to work with me.

So I told them I would pick it up and they could refund me my original service cost (of course it was less the $149 diagnostic fee, despite the fact that I diagnosed it for them from the beginning). But I'd been driving their shinny new 528i around for a week and a half, so..

So I ordered the parts for second day delivery, and set aside the morning of my Fourth of July Holiday for the replacement..

When I started taking it apart I found most of the bumper fasteners loose, one missing. Clearly they had the bumper off already (So the service manager shot the dealership in the foot not working with me on what amounted to $200 discount, since they had done most of the labor to take the bumper off and put it back on anyway).

When I was under the car removing the lower fasteners, I notice the grease on the outer CV boot. Hmmm, no grease splatter on the wheel or the suspension (car has been drive about 3 miles since picking it up from the dealer). Grab a paper towel and wipe off the grease. About a 1.5 inch clean opening in the boot. No signs of rubbing or dry rot (boot is only a year, maybe two old?)

Yeah, I replaced the boot, and I used a GKN Loebro purchased from Pelican Parts. Its a royal pain in the A**, and I'm not looking forward to having to do it again now..

There is no way for me to prove anything, so I am sh** out of luck, but I'm pretty sure it was not a component failure in the normal course of service. Boot looks great otherwise. Did they think I was going to bring it back to them for the boot replacement?!?!?

Its my own fault I guess, never should have set foot in the dealer after the warranty expired..