poxy viscous fan

[sparkyk4]

hi guy's,
why does my fan run constantly ?? sounds like a poxy range rover ! i have just got a cheap '91' 325i and all i can hear is the fan, it's robbing that lovely straight six sound !
the temp never goes anywhere near half way but its constantly on ! it may well still be the viscous fan clutch, but it looks new?
or can the thermostat or water pump make it do this or temp sensor either i believe on the 325 ? dont know where to start really, as allways...not alot of money !
any help would be great
thanks in advance

[asmith88]

if its always on then it sounds like a viscous failure and you will need a new viscous, when the engine is cold try sticking a rolled newspaper against the fan it should stop, also try when the engine is warm the fan shoul not stop against the papers resistance

[blingsta]

if the temp doesnt get to half, i suspect a dodgy thermostat too

[Brianmoooore]

Correct running temp. on a UK spec six pot puts the needle at just past the 'quarter' mark. Four pots run at 'half'.
Some new viscous clutches do tend to drag a little when cold, but should soon loosen up when they get warm or get a few miles on them. If you get fan noise all the time, really loud when you rev the car, then the coupling is duff.

[sparkyk4]

thanks already guys
this is definatly running engine speed, dont like taking it past 3-4,000rpm as the sound is bad
i can when engine is off turn the fan freely both ways with no drag, feels smooth
il try the newspaper thing tomorrow

[Andyboy]

Correct running temp. on a UK spec six pot puts the needle at just past the 'quarter' mark.

Really??? Mine have all run at a half or just under.

Best place for a viscous is Andrew Page (motor factors) who do a Borg WArner coupling for around 30 quid.

[Brianmoooore]

Well the M20 should run at 80degrees and the M40 at 88, so I would hope to see the gauge in different positions.