I would inspect the motor mounts.

What did you do to / for your E53 today??
 

The only logical conclusion is the viscus clutch locking up. About once a year somebody on xo reports this happening.

Collateral damage often is the coolant reservoir or a dent in the hood, the fan shroud of course.

The viscous clutch is warmed from the coolant in the water pump.

Edit: seems it’s actually actuated from a bimetallic strip on the front of the fan clutch and heat wash from the radiator kicks on the fan when the waste heat from the radiator gets to a particular temp.

Even when warm you can stop the fan it should never lock up.

When cold you can (and I have) stipped the fan with my fingers.

Yeah, I thought that too, Andrew - until I had a viscous clutch fail on me and I looked into it more. Turns out they operate mostly from radiator airflow - the radiator heat causes changes in a small spring at the front of the viscous clutch. Very little heat from the water pump reaches this actuator spring.

Have a watch of this - I watched it and learnt a lot! :thumbup:

https://youtu.be/UwM4OqsLek4

Which replacement did you go with Wayne? Genuine BMW viscous clutch is quite pricey here at $255 from FCP Euro. :damn:

The M57TU in my 3.0d uses a slightly different unit than the one used on the M54... I got an OEM Hella unit from the UK - set me back about NZ$200 (USA$120) inc. shipping. Bargin!!

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/w7IAA...m4C/s-l500.jpg

https://www.ebay.com/itm/8MV-376-734...72.m2749.l2649

At that price, I jumped at it and abandoned any plans to go electric. :thumbup:

I thought the heat was conducted from the bolt going into the water pump but I guess it makes sense if the bimetal strip is on the front it will be airflow causing the effect.


https://youtu.be/RDuGsDUiXQw

The link above didn't work I found a good video showing the method.

Never too old or experienced to learn.

Sucked a piece of plastic bag onto RR rotor and melted it to pad/rotor. I will be scrubbing the rotor and see if some sanding of the pad will save it. [emoji2959]

Over here plastic bags are called Saudi birds and the travel in flocks. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...cd202439b0.jpg

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I would start with a utility knife blade. I see no reason you can’t scrape that off. Use some heat to help losen and of course sand the pad as well.

I've got safety razors and green scrubby pads and about 4 cans of brake cleaner (suspiciously hard to find here) plus a new reason to hate driving in the Middle East [emoji850]

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Maybe try the budget option and brake really hard a few times? (allthough budget is a bit of a trap in this case, you'll probably burn a gallon of fuel for this hehehe)

I talked to the mechanic yesterday, he was stumped about what could have happened. When I got the car he found several loose or missing screws in the radiator shroud and made sure it was all tight. He could see his repairs were still in place, just not much left of the shroud. Also, the clutch moves freely so not locked up at the moment. Fan blades missed the hoses and transmisson cooler so that's a plus!

Either way I'll have the clutch and fan replaced, don't really have time to figure out the electric fan route at the oment.

Why would I check the motor mounts?