Viscous fan

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ETERNITY
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Fri Aug 10, 2018 11:13 pm

The viscous fan comes in after 5 mins of driving

It’s stays on and drowns the engine note and slows down the performance and deaccelaration is prolonged

It’s a loud whining sound as the engine rpm increases

I Have changed the radiator and fan coupling/clutch and still have the same problem

I have bought a thermostat but not changed yet because I tested the previous one and it seems fine but was Checked at boiling point (kettle)

Puzzled?
Last edited by ETERNITY on Sat Aug 11, 2018 10:33 am, edited 1 time in total.
325i sport tech 2, lach silver, 1989, BBS RS 16 split rims,

[URL=http://s878.photobucket.com/user/ETERNI ... 0.jpg.html][img]http://i878.photobucket.com/albums/ab35 ... 46cc30.jpg[/img
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paultv
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Sat Aug 11, 2018 7:12 am

If your temps are good, maybe the old fan coupling was shot, and the new one needs running in, they tend to be "hard coupled" for a week or two depending on usage, then they loosen up and only spin when hot.

Cheap eBay viscous fans are known not to perform correctly in our cars best to buy OEM if possible.



Paul :-)
4th May 1990 325i Convertible.

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ETERNITY
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Sat Aug 11, 2018 10:10 am

I bought a BGA (bullsye)

Thanks Paul
325i sport tech 2, lach silver, 1989, BBS RS 16 split rims,

[URL=http://s878.photobucket.com/user/ETERNI ... 0.jpg.html][img]http://i878.photobucket.com/albums/ab35 ... 46cc30.jpg[/img
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arrisbmw
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Sat Aug 11, 2018 1:00 pm

thats strange never heard mine, before or after fitting a new viscous coupling.
my old one was knackered try the rolled up magazine test.

I suppose if your worried about performance , electric fan gotta be the way to go,
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Sat Aug 11, 2018 2:45 pm

Performance is affected because there seems to be a lag when the fan is on and making that jet noise

Theres a fault that I can’t figure out and neither can the mechanic
325i sport tech 2, lach silver, 1989, BBS RS 16 split rims,

[URL=http://s878.photobucket.com/user/ETERNI ... 0.jpg.html][img]http://i878.photobucket.com/albums/ab35 ... 46cc30.jpg[/img
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paultv
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Sat Aug 11, 2018 2:49 pm

Is the car sounding normal when run without the fan belt for a quick test?

Paul :-)
4th May 1990 325i Convertible.

BMW E30 Cabriolet Best Mod Ever:

https://bmwe30cabriolet-wdm.blogspot.com/
ETERNITY
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Sat Aug 11, 2018 3:10 pm

Haven’t tried that yet

So undo the fan belt right and run it
325i sport tech 2, lach silver, 1989, BBS RS 16 split rims,

[URL=http://s878.photobucket.com/user/ETERNI ... 0.jpg.html][img]http://i878.photobucket.com/albums/ab35 ... 46cc30.jpg[/img
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martauto
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Sat Aug 11, 2018 3:32 pm

paultv wrote:Is the car sounding normal when run without the fan belt for a quick test?

Paul :-)
Good way to check Paul !

Mart.
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Just got too old.
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Sat Aug 11, 2018 3:33 pm

Haven’t tried that yet

So undo the fan belt right and run it
325i sport tech 2, lach silver, 1989, BBS RS 16 split rims,

[URL=http://s878.photobucket.com/user/ETERNI ... 0.jpg.html][img]http://i878.photobucket.com/albums/ab35 ... 46cc30.jpg[/img
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martauto
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Sat Aug 11, 2018 3:47 pm

ETERNITY wrote:Haven’t tried that yet

So undo the fan belt right and run it
You dont have to go very far and you will know pretty soon.

Mart.
Only the E46 cab left now.
Just got too old.
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paultv
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Sat Aug 11, 2018 4:24 pm

Yep, loosen the alternator, get the belt off, you can finagle it over the fan and get it out - then start up and listen. This will take the viscous fan, water pump and alternator bearings out of the equation -

I fitted a cheap viscous a while ago - the car sounded like an F1-11 taking off and it refused to loosen up, so bought a Behr which cost twice the money but worked fine.

Paul :-)
4th May 1990 325i Convertible.

BMW E30 Cabriolet Best Mod Ever:

https://bmwe30cabriolet-wdm.blogspot.com/
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arrisbmw
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Sat Aug 11, 2018 4:31 pm

i would not drive the car without the water pump will overheat very quickly. as no coolant is being pumped around
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M3KUK
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Sat Aug 11, 2018 6:53 pm

Yes mine is noisy too, cheap one off ebay, would buy a named brand next time.
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martauto
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Sun Aug 12, 2018 1:36 pm

arrisbmw wrote:i would not drive the car without the water pump will overheat very quickly. as no coolant is being pumped around
Like Paul said, it`s only for a few seconds and you dont even have to drive it, just see how it is without it.

Mart.
Only the E46 cab left now.
Just got too old.
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Sun Aug 19, 2018 10:18 am

paultv wrote:Yep, loosen the alternator, get the belt off, you can finagle it over the fan and get it out - then start up and listen. This will take the viscous fan, water pump and alternator bearings out of the equation -

I fitted a cheap viscous a while ago - the car sounded like an F1-11 taking off and it refused to loosen up, so bought a Behr which cost twice the money but worked fine.

Paul :-)
I just did the same and mine and replaced it with a behr and it still sounds like a jet. The sound and interference with the performance is annoying.

The sound is loud and I can feel a drag from the fan

Not sure a¤” where to go from here.
325i sport tech 2, lach silver, 1989, BBS RS 16 split rims,

[URL=http://s878.photobucket.com/user/ETERNI ... 0.jpg.html][img]http://i878.photobucket.com/albums/ab35 ... 46cc30.jpg[/img
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paultv
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Sun Aug 19, 2018 5:24 pm

it will take a few days to loosen up - they are pretty sticky out of the box

Paul :-)
4th May 1990 325i Convertible.

BMW E30 Cabriolet Best Mod Ever:

https://bmwe30cabriolet-wdm.blogspot.com/
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Sun Aug 19, 2018 6:16 pm

Ok hopefully engine noise will go back to normal and I can enjoy the m20 note
325i sport tech 2, lach silver, 1989, BBS RS 16 split rims,

[URL=http://s878.photobucket.com/user/ETERNI ... 0.jpg.html][img]http://i878.photobucket.com/albums/ab35 ... 46cc30.jpg[/img
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