Anyone removed clutch fan and replaced with electric?

[bcredliner]

Wires on 3 wire fan--positive, negative, ECM.
Wires on 4 wire fan are cooling fan stage relays one/two/three and ground.
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/att...7&d=1182443088

[bugbyte]

How is the installation going? Did you got it installed?

[bcredliner]

Will install tomorrow or Friday.

I decided to return the installation kit I had in favor of one that has an adjustable thermostat controller rather than a fixed temperature I had. Primary reason is that I don't want to bore a hole in the cooling system to install the sensor. The relay that is on the way uses a temp probe. Since the probes tend to be less accurate I ordered the adjustable version so I can control when I want the fan to engage.

Wiring is all in place, concealed and tested. Once the new relay arrives, it won't take much time to finish the project.

It may take longer to remove the mechanical fan as I choose not to purchase the clutch fan removal tool. I needed a 32mm wrench so rather than purchase the tool that I won't likely use again I bought the wrench for not that much more. I will try to remove the fan with the wrench and a long screwdriver to hold the pulley. If that doesn't work I will make what I need to keep the pulley from turning. The 32mm wrench arrived today.

[bugbyte]

Awesome! Good luck on the installation. Take pictures a lot of it.

[SlickGT1]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

Will install tomorrow or Friday.

I decided to return the installation kit I had in favor of one that has an adjustable thermostat controller rather than a fixed temperature I had. Primary reason is that I don't want to bore a hole in the cooling system to install the sensor. The relay that is on the way uses a temp probe. Since the probes tend to be less accurate I ordered the adjustable version so I can control when I want the fan to engage.

Wiring is all in place, concealed and tested. Once the new relay arrives, it won't take much time to finish the project.

It may take longer to remove the mechanical fan as I choose not to purchase the clutch fan removal tool. I needed a 32mm wrench so rather than purchase the tool that I won't likely use again I bought the wrench for not that much more. I will try to remove the fan with the wrench and a long screwdriver to hold the pulley. If that doesn't work I will make what I need to keep the pulley from turning. The 32mm wrench arrived today.

put wrench on, get a little sledge, or a big hammer, and give it a sudden whack. It will come off before anything gets to spin.

[bcredliner]

I have seen that removal method used. I think there is the possibility, however small, to damage the water pump so I would rather use a holding tool and I am under no time pressure.

[SlickGT1]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

I have seen that removal method used. I think there is the possibility, however small, to damage the water pump so I would rather use a holding tool and I am under no time pressure.

No, don't go nuts. A solid rap on the wrench, and its off. The thread pitch on that nut is huge, and once you break off the nut loose, even a fraction of a turn , it is off. A box end across the fan bolts will hold the fan in place too.

[bcredliner]

Thanks, I may give that a try.

[bcredliner]

SAE is just a bit larger than 1 1/4in. wrench. There is a cars and coffee tomorrow so I will wait until after that to start on the fan.

[admranger]

32mm us the size of the fan clutch nut.

Please remember that it is left hand threaded.