How long should it take to replace the fan
 

Hello all,

I just got a call back from an Indy Mechanic that is working on my 2003 x5 3.0L because she had overheated the other day. It seems the auxiliary fan is not working and he has to replace that as well as the thermostat. He told me to take off the entire front and whatever other items he has to do to change both of those items it would take about 6 hours and that the time is according to book estimates. Could anyone verify that this estimate sounds about right?

thank you,

Sounds about right...

I was quoted four hours to replace the t-stat on the e39 m5 but I also had to replace the aux fan so around two more hours to replace it. Decided to DIY as I had all of winter time to complete the job..

Why would the auxilliary fan not working cause your x5 to overheat? I haven't had mine work for the past 2 years and not once has the car overheated. Unless you use your AC often, the aux fan doesn't play a huge role in the cooling system. It only comes on when the engine temps get to a certain temp and then shuts off.

Not sure how much time is given for specific repairs, but the front bumper, fan clutch, expansion tank, and radiator all have to come off to remove the aux fan. Also include draining the cooling system and refilling/bleeding once put back together.

I agree in terms of the overheating angle. My Aux fan gave up the ghost and the only thing that changed was my aircon stopped working properly. I live in Africa and drive around all day in +30 deg Celcius and mine never looked like overheating (2006 3.0D, but it should behave much like yours). If your X is overheating I am pretty sure it is not the Aux fan!

Incidently I was charged 6 hours labour to repalce the Aux fan and purge and regass the aircon (BMW dealer in Johannesburg).

I suppose 6 hours is about right to chargem for an AUX fan replacement. If only engineers made the fan more accessible without removing so many parts and offered individual replacement parts for the fan assembly, I'd be less frustrated with the idea of repairing/replacing it.

Aux fan wasnt the culprit. You guys were right.
 

I just wanted to update you guys to say that while i inititally took my aux fan to a mechanic to be replaced because it wasnt working, and my car had overheat, it wasnt until your comments that i had the mechanic check other possible reasons that the overheating was occurring. I almost paid for the aux fan and the labor until i read other posts on the website and someone suggested a failed or cracked head gasket as the possible culprit for overheating vehicles. i made it a point to have the mechanic check the possibility of a cracked head gasket and he said that it had occurred and that i needed to go to a shop that would be able to help me with the cracked head gasket. That he couldnt do it.
Anyone know of a good Indy in Staten Island NY or very near?

thanks,

How had he diagnosed that the head gasket let go?

According to him - He ran a diagnostic test. Said there was residue that showed coolant was coming out of exhaust? something to that effect.

Now i'm worried how much this is going to cost me. Any clues?

Not cheap!

Casey.... We looking at 1200 or like 4200? any ideas?

I was quoted $1,600.00 from a Jacksonville Fla BMW stealer, I mean dealer. I have not replaced it yet because I can't even feel a difference ? I spent close to $2,000.00 grand repalce the front air struts, air compressor and control modual then they tell me I need to replace the aux fan???? I will take it to an Idny if the aux needs to be changed one day?

I was quoted $1,600.00 from a Jacksonville Fla BMW stealer, I mean dealer. I have not replaced it yet because I can't even feel a difference ? I spent close to $2,000.00 grand repalce the front air struts, air compressor and control modual then they tell me I need to replace the aux fan???? I will take it to an Idny if the aux needs to be changed one day?

Bay diagnostic
Brooklyn, ny

or go to my favorite
k&s repair
corner of ave.Y and E.17 str.
Brooklyn, ny

And ask them to find the cause of overheating.

I would get a second opinion. Residue coolant in the exhaust isn't typically the symptom. A compression test, analyzing the oil, oil in coolant mixture, are what i;m used to hearing. For all you know, the impellar on your water pump might have broken off, therefore not pumping water in the system.

I think it's much more simple. I think it's time for you to change coolant fluid.

Yeap, At least then you could determine if oil and coolant are mixing together....common if a headgasket is blown.

Well, coolant good only for 50000 miles or 5 years, after than as a result- overheating.

I was under the impression that coolant doesn't have any additional cooling properties over water. Coolant and Water would technically cool the car down equally. The advantage coolant has is it protects the radiator and cooling paths from rust, corrision, as well as preventing the liquid from freezing up in cold temperatures.

I've never heard of changing coolant to be the solution for an overheating car. I understand that long life coolant is suggested to be changed every 5yrs/50000 miles but it wont lead to overheating directly.

Aux fan unit costs $550 US+ labors