Running my M40 without the fan blades...
Moderator: martauto
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cubist
- E30 Zone Newbie
- Posts: 41
- Joined: Tue Oct 26, 2010 11:00 pm
Stupid or ok until I can get some time to replace the water pump this weekend? Bearing is going in the water pump and the resulting wobbly fan has snapped off 4 of it's blades putting it out of balance. Two nasty dents in the bonnet to show for it now as well... so I took what remains of the fan off and it's running fine without it, so far. No change in running temp and only a slight rise to just above quarter in traffic. Your views please, cheers.
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HJG-E30
- E30 Zone Regular
- Posts: 557
- Joined: Sat Dec 05, 2009 11:00 pm
- Location: West Sussex
Obviously not ideal!
Make sure the coolant is topped right up and keep an eye on that gauge!
I'd do a test on the brown temp sensor first though to make sure it's working correctly!
Make sure the coolant is topped right up and keep an eye on that gauge!
I'd do a test on the brown temp sensor first though to make sure it's working correctly!
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maggspower
- Turbo Farmer Tractor Driver
- Posts: 2376
- Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Nowhere near South Wales, ok butt
Normal driving about will be fine, avoid trafic jams at all cost though. As mentioned keep one eye on the temp.
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cubist
- E30 Zone Newbie
- Posts: 41
- Joined: Tue Oct 26, 2010 11:00 pm
Cheers chaps... general concensus seems to be that it's ok in the short term. New sensors fitted two weeks ago when we slotted this refreshed engine in. Oddly enough, we took out the cheap pattern pump that came with the engine and put in a very low miles OE one I had spare... which must have dried out on the shelf. Lesson learnt 
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cubist
- E30 Zone Newbie
- Posts: 41
- Joined: Tue Oct 26, 2010 11:00 pm
Just in case anybody else gets in my situation, it's running fine without the fan blades and with no drop in coolant level. 200 mile round trip yesterday without drama or temp change even at a brave 85-95 for some stretches.
Have sourced two sets of fan blades both with the same 4-bolt fitting but one has two extra blades. Can't hurt to have a spare but i'll fit the one with less blades as it tends to run cool anyway. If it all goes tits-up before I get the new thermostat and pump fitted i'll be back on here with the sorry tale.
I know, it'll all be my own fault...
Have sourced two sets of fan blades both with the same 4-bolt fitting but one has two extra blades. Can't hurt to have a spare but i'll fit the one with less blades as it tends to run cool anyway. If it all goes tits-up before I get the new thermostat and pump fitted i'll be back on here with the sorry tale.
I know, it'll all be my own fault...
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harry_p
- Engaged to the E30 Zone
- Posts: 5313
- Joined: Thu Oct 12, 2006 11:00 pm
- Location: norfolk
the e30 heater fan is pretty powerful.
whilst it's quite cool outside just the heater on hot and full power is probably enough to keep the temperature stable even after long periods in traffic.
obviously, it might be a bit uncomfortable, but it's better than a cooked engine and being stranded at the side of the road.
whilst it's quite cool outside just the heater on hot and full power is probably enough to keep the temperature stable even after long periods in traffic.
obviously, it might be a bit uncomfortable, but it's better than a cooked engine and being stranded at the side of the road.
cheers,
harry
harry
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Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member
- Posts: 49360
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
85-95 MPH won't be a problem. 5-10 MPH might be!
There's a gauge right in front of you. Watch it, and turn the heater on full if the needle starts heading to where it shouldn't.
Personally, I'd be far more worried about the dubious water pump bearings than the lack of fan blades.
There's a gauge right in front of you. Watch it, and turn the heater on full if the needle starts heading to where it shouldn't.
Personally, I'd be far more worried about the dubious water pump bearings than the lack of fan blades.