Public Service Announcement - Check your fan clutch AND Aux fan
 

Hi folks,

Re: 2005 3.0 w/ 134kmiles

I was in the fast food line after a highway run. I idled for about 8 mins ordering and getting food... I could see the temp gauge move to the right - halfway between middle and red (I know the gauge is buffered and should be in center under a range of temps). I shut off car immediately and let it cool for 40 mins.

I then made it home at proper temps of 95-97 deg C. Car is fine when it is moving .

I discovered I had a bad fan clutch and a bad Aux fan

Fan Clutch - I could easily stop the fan with hot engine running with a small roll of newspaper. Newly installed fan clutch will shred newspaper roll now and not stop.

Aux Fan - Fan won't come on at all. I tried to activate it in INPA. Doesn't come on with AC. It has both 12v power and a good ground. I think it is just a bad fan. Have ordered one. Based on forum posts, I think the US-made E53 experiences aux fan failure (not a sensor or wiring issue) more than E39 or E46...just a weak observation.

So, do yourself a favor and check both your aux fan and fan clutch before summer heat and stop and go traffic or other idles

^Good advice for any BMW, even those without clutch fans. Thanks for the reminder.