A Fault from factory? Fan blades cut coolant pipes?

[DanTheMannn]

Hey,

So I've got a 325i with high comp m20 lump,

Recently the fan had cut through the top coolant pipe causing it to leak coolant.

So, as you do you try and correct this fault, i first cut down the fan so it could no longer hit the pipe.

Then for the hard bit, went to a BMW breakers near me and looked at 5 or 6 e30s, ALL with cut coolant pipes? Is this a factory fault then?

Bit silly if you ask me if they didn't spot it? Anyway, electric fan now in and pipe replaced (after searching ebay for hours)

Thought i'd just ask if anyone else had the same problem?

[Grrrmachine]

There should be a factory shroud around the radiator and the fan. This channels the air flow, but also prevents the hoses coming anywhere near the fan. Is your shroud missing?

[pacerpete]

There should be a plastic strap type locating clip attached to the engine lift bracket at the front of the head. This secures the top hose and stops it coming into contact with the fan blades.

This clip is usually missing or substituted with a cable tie on council / drift / stance scrap

It is readily available from a dealer for approx £2.

[JungleGus]

You cut down the fan instead of fixing the pipe properly? wow

[DanTheMannn]

Ah shroud must of been missing then,

yes cut down the fan then replaced pipe for a few weeks until i had a chance to install the twin electric fans.. Makes sense i thought instead of not using the car at all?

[aimlessrock]

Dan, you did check that the viscous fan was on the right way did n't you?”¦if its on the wrong way it can rub against the top hose..i spotted this on a mates E30 after i noticed some chaffing.

[pacerpete]

Ah shroud must of been missing then,

yes cut down the fan then replaced pipe for a few weeks until i had a chance to install the twin electric fans.. Makes sense i thought instead of not using the car at all?

The missing part costs less than £2 and can be fitted in minutes ........


PS It might be worth checking your engine mounts. if they are doing a Pisa impersonation , that will not help .

[DanTheMannn]

Bit late now! And from what i hear loosing that fan and replacing with the electrics improves HP and keeps engine more cool?

(Engine mounts were also fucked at the time.. may have had something to do with it!)

[DHFiS]

It's the thermostat that determines the engine temp. Why do you want to keep the engine "more cool"?

[DanTheMannn]

Drift days.

[Grrrmachine]

And from what i hear loosing that fan and replacing with the electrics improves HP

Common misconception. Where do you think the power comes from to run the electric fans? If anything, it'll decrease HP due to the increased inefficiency of having to use the alternator, rather than just driving the fan straight off the crank which is how it is originally.

[gooner1]

I'll be removing all the Glazing from my E30 this week.

Do your worst, Jack Frost.