Viscous fan, Bin it?
Moderator: martauto
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OllieB
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Is it worth chopping the viscous fan on a 325i for an electric one or is there no noticeable power gain? Also is it worth running the car on super unleaded, I always do but people have said its not worth the extra cash as there is no timing advance or something.... Cheers, Ollie
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johnl320
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Ollie
Most people bin the fan when they need the space for a conversion. the fan only engages when the viscious unit is hot(in slow traffic) .when driving normally or cold the fan is only spinning because of the slight drag in the unit . As soon as air is rushing past the fan when driving along the fan is actually being pushed around slightly. Besides an electric fan fan still needs power via the alternater which will load the engine in the same way. hope this helps, no doubt someone will argue.
Regards
john
Most people bin the fan when they need the space for a conversion. the fan only engages when the viscious unit is hot(in slow traffic) .when driving normally or cold the fan is only spinning because of the slight drag in the unit . As soon as air is rushing past the fan when driving along the fan is actually being pushed around slightly. Besides an electric fan fan still needs power via the alternater which will load the engine in the same way. hope this helps, no doubt someone will argue.
Regards
john
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Gwynleym10
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Ah the electric fan debate!
If your viscous fan is working (do the newspaper test...it should shred a roll when the engine is hot) leave it, you probably will not notice any power gain, i certainly haven't.
But if its gone, i think its a nice conversion. It always far more accurate cooling of the radiator, as it is more accurate in the end it should provide less strain on the engine. might save you a couple of pennies in fuel rather than more bhp!
I also like the sound of a viscous fan clutch, sounds like a volvo! electric fans sound far more modern.....
Also an electrical fan should be more reliable, if wired all correctly viscous seams to have a terrible habbit of failing when you need it thte most....I have also heard that some shops (incld ECP/GSF) have not stored them correctly, meaning that they never work properly.
If your viscous fan is working (do the newspaper test...it should shred a roll when the engine is hot) leave it, you probably will not notice any power gain, i certainly haven't.
But if its gone, i think its a nice conversion. It always far more accurate cooling of the radiator, as it is more accurate in the end it should provide less strain on the engine. might save you a couple of pennies in fuel rather than more bhp!
I also like the sound of a viscous fan clutch, sounds like a volvo! electric fans sound far more modern.....
Also an electrical fan should be more reliable, if wired all correctly viscous seams to have a terrible habbit of failing when you need it thte most....I have also heard that some shops (incld ECP/GSF) have not stored them correctly, meaning that they never work properly.
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Simon13
- The longest resto in the world !
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don't even bother with super unleaded it makes no difference! about 1 mpg in economy but hurts alot more in the pocket!
Hmm as u have a sport like me your fan should blow and make your engine sound like a lorry in this hot weather mine does!
Hmm as u have a sport like me your fan should blow and make your engine sound like a lorry in this hot weather mine does!
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Gwynleym10
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After taking mine off ive been wondering if viscous fans blow or suck? If they blow surely their blowing hot air from the engine onto the radiator?
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johnl320
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They suck mate, otherwise they would be fighting against the airflow when driving
john
john
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Gwynleym10
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thought they must do...it does make sence!
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Karan
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viscous sucks.... sucking fans have limited capabilities for cooling... blow thru in front of rad is better 
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Gwynleym10
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just like mine! (and most new cars it seams.....)
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rowemeister
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Dont have either fan and install an ice cube dropper into the bonnet.
It will drop ice cubes onto the radiator controlled by temp.
7.3 bhp
It will drop ice cubes onto the radiator controlled by temp.
7.3 bhp
325i Sport with Hartge H27 lump
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Brianmoooore
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Anyone know any more about this? What is the wrong way to store them?Gwynleym10 wrote:have not stored them correctly, meaning that they never work properly.
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Karan
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viscous should be stored upright as it would sit in a carBrianmoooore wrote:Anyone know any more about this? What is the wrong way to store them?Gwynleym10 wrote:have not stored them correctly, meaning that they never work properly.