Electric rad fans

Post Fri May 06, 2016 9:05 pm

ETK says my M3 unit is only shared with the similar S14 engined 320is. So what's the difference between these and others with electric fans ?
My unit has seen better days and all 3 bolts stud on the back of the motor which mount it to the frame have snapped clean off.
Has anyone removed the fan blade from the motor ? Is just a push fit ? I avoided trying anything before I do break anything else.

Thanks

Post Sun May 08, 2016 2:29 pm

Smaller diameter?? The 'other' fans will fit an E30, but are a very tight fit.

Post Sun May 08, 2016 11:29 pm

I assumed other models with an electric fan would all be the same. Just not seeing why its any different for a 325 or whatever other models had one.

Post Sun May 08, 2016 11:44 pm

You mean other E30 models, not other BMW models, such as E34 or 36? In that case, I have no idea, but if you can get it to fit physically, then the electrics will not be a serious problem.

Post Mon May 09, 2016 10:10 am

Yes, other E30 models had an electric fan and seems to be mounted the same way/position, so wondering why they are listed as different. Was suspecting if there is any difference, then the fan and motor are probably the same and maybe just the mounting frame and legs are different.

Post Mon May 09, 2016 10:20 am

Just the moving of a mounting hole slightly would result in a different part number, or a different electrical plug/length of cable.

Post Mon May 09, 2016 1:22 pm

I removed the fan blade from mine but had no luck in finding a motor that would fit.

I assumed the m3 fan would have a higher output as there's no viscous fan like on the other cars, however when mine died I fitted an e28 fan as a temporary solution and noticed no difference in the temperature, it fits exactly the same but has straight fan blades like the early m3's.

Post Mon May 09, 2016 1:34 pm

Don't think flow will be a problem with a BMW fan. I've used E34/36 aircon fans with E30 M5x conversions, and on full speed, the fan's nearly strong enough to move the car along on its own.

Post Mon May 09, 2016 1:47 pm

Paul_D wrote:I removed the fan blade from mine but had no luck in finding a motor that would fit.

I assumed the m3 fan would have a higher output as there's no viscous fan like on the other cars, however when mine died I fitted an e28 fan as a temporary solution and noticed no difference in the temperature, it fits exactly the same but has straight fan blades like the early m3's.

is there a spline on the motor shaft , is it meant to just pull off the shaft ? I tried removing mine in this way but it didnt want to budge and was unsure I was missing something.

Post Mon May 09, 2016 4:47 pm

Not a spline as such, more of a locking pin through the motor shaft.

Post Wed May 11, 2016 8:34 pm

BMG wrote:
Paul_D wrote:I removed the fan blade from mine but had no luck in finding a motor that would fit.

I assumed the m3 fan would have a higher output as there's no viscous fan like on the other cars, however when mine died I fitted an e28 fan as a temporary solution and noticed no difference in the temperature, it fits exactly the same but has straight fan blades like the early m3's.
is there a spline on the motor shaft , is it meant to just pull off the shaft ? I tried removing mine in this way but it didnt want to budge and was unsure I was missing something.

If your fan is like mine then after removing the locking clip you have to hit the end of the motor shaft with a hammer to separate them. As demlot said there's a pin through the motor shaft which the blades slide over to stop them from spinning on the shaft.