viscus fan !!

[JAFF]

please can some one help me the viscus fan on my e30 320! is constantly going and makes a horrible noise i need a new one bt i dnt knw wot im looking for i have on only just joined the e30 scene

[smithy318i]

Hi Jaff.
Sounds like you have a duff fan. It's pretty easy to replace with a new one.
the viscus fan comes off by turning the 32mm nut clockwise.

[TW166Y]

the viscus fan will constantly spin, thats why its called that mate! it speeds up with your engine too! either that or convert it to an electric 1?

[JAFF]

my impression of vicus is that the mercury inside the coupling only engageds the fan when the car gets to hot
and that my problem was that the viscus has seized ?either way im not sure im new to the e30 zone and to the e30 so all comments are gr8fully recived

[Brianmoooore]

Viscous only locks when it senses the rad is overheating. It freewheels normaly and the fan shouldn't make any significant noise. The fan note changes to a roar when the coupling locks.

[JAFF]

thats perfect thanks alot ill go buy a new coupling then

[TW166Y]

right brian, when it roars what does that mean?

please explain to me the best way you can as it takes me a while to understand, please be patient

[Chris-W]

It'll sound a bit like a prop powered plane, as it displaces more air when engaged.

[TW166Y]

my mrs fan roars on hers you see! it didnt use to but now it does... does this mean the fan coupling has gone? if so can someone please just explain to me if it has and why it has... im not questioning anyone, just learning

[smithy318i]

if you can't turn the fan easilly with your hand when the engine is off, the couping is fubar.

the fan locks when it gets hot, and unlocks when cold. if the fan is locked when its cold, it fuuked.

you wont notice this at idle because it only works when your driving.

[smithy318i]

if you can't turn the fan easilly with your hand when the engine is off, the couping is fubar.

the fan locks when it gets hot, and unlocks when cold. if the fan is locked when its cold, it fuuked.

you wont notice this at idle because it only works when your driving.

i think!

[TW166Y]

so basically i should be able to spin it, when the engine is off, yeh?
if not then its shagged? does that mean the coupling is fooked or the fan?
it doesnt half roar though mate, honestly i swear down, it propper roars like a lion on steriods!

[gcorky]

it will roar/woosh at high engine temps.its locking the fan and driving it as if it were 1 piece.
as it cools the fan will spin at a reduced rate.

so basically twigg ithe coupling is a clutch that is engaged at higher temps to engage the fan and disengage when cooler and not required.


a new/good one will make the fan roar/woosh -if it doesnt its suspect.

note.someone mentioned mercury its not?i chopped one and its a thick viscous /oil and a bi-metalic actuator type affair.

[GBE30]

I personally like the roar of the fan! If its noisy when the car is hot then it works, noisy all the time then can only guess it has seized or such!

Not sure about mercury though thats one poisonous bit of kit. They are waxed based i think!

My tires are inflated with Anthrax/Air mixture 30/70

My air con is topped up with Napalm.

[JAFF]

yep thats wot mines doning as well i was told to check the thermostat as well at this time as well to make sure it hadent perished and i did that and guess wot it had so if your fan is doing the same as mine then i would check that as well dosent take 2 sec s if your intressted i just looked on gsf parts and its £45 for a new coupling

[smithy318i]

you only need the coupling

[TW166Y]

as a cucumber graham, thanks mate, cheers smithy

[smithy318i]

ecp is 24 + vat

[TW166Y]

but lads, these fella's are saying a roar is right, is it me or am i reading wrong! JAFF Sounds like yours is the same as my ladies which means its ok yeh?

[gcorky]

if you can't turn the fan easilly with your hand when the engine is off, the couping is fubar.

the fan locks when it gets hot, and unlocks when cold. if the fan is locked when its cold, it fuuked.

you wont notice this at idle because it only works when your driving.

i think!

no no no smithy m8,yhe hole point of the viscous fan is to disengage whilst on the move and air through rad is sufficient to cool vehicle.its required at stationary and low road speed.

you could remove the fan and get on a motorway without it and temperature would be normal,till speed reduced or hit traffic.

[JAFF]

no m8 thats the point mine isent i got to get anew coupling they are 45 quid from gsf promise you

[TW166Y]

so it should in effect make a louder roar on tick over if hot?

[TW166Y]

no m8 thats the point mine isent i got to get anew coupling they are 45 quid from gsf promise you

seems expensive mate

[JAFF]

no m8 thats the point mine isent i got to get anew coupling they are 45 quid from gsf promise you

[JAFF]

well i went to santa pod on the weekend and because the thermostat and fan where fucked i over heated and cooked me head gasket beta be safe than sorry i was told by e30 to buy brand new never second hand on a coupling

[TW166Y]

right im with you! yeh mate, its a sorry situation when they go. how much is your head gonna cost?

[JAFF]

gota go boys get me some parts ne one wana know how much a part is b4 i go get mine goning to gsf in cheltnam

[gcorky]

if youve got a good one let the car idle for 15 mins(normal temp.) then stick the rolled up news paper in.if it stops the fan instantly -its shagged.

remove the fan and coupling with a 32mm spanner on water pump.your fan is bolted to this with allen bolts.
bolt fan to new coupling then fit fan assy back on vehicle......you then will hear the roar/woosh we are talking about.


symptoms of failed coupling.guage goes up/overheats in traffic then normal once on the move.bearings in coupling can fail and you would hear this at idle speeds and at latter stages feel play in the coupling itself.

average price 35 quid.
twigg idle engine speed it aint quick enough to roar but rev it and it will
if the engine is hot-if you are having the above problems ,change it !

[Nelly]

Ahhhh - my brain is starting to melt LOL

[JAFF]

the head gasket and bolts come to 57 but im gna do the cam belt kit and stat cums to just over 100 email me later if u eant m8

[TW166Y]

if youve got a good one let the car idle for 15 mins(normal temp.) then stick the rolled up news paper in.if it stops the fan instantly -its shagged.

remove the fan and coupling with a 32mm spanner on water pump.your fan is bolted to this with allen bolts.
bolt fan to new coupling then fit fan assy back on vehicle......you then will hear the roar/woosh we are talking about.


symptoms of failed coupling.guage goes up/overheats in traffic then normal once on the move.bearings in coupling can fail and you would hear this at idle speeds and at latter stages feel play in the coupling itself.

average price 35 quid.
twigg idle engine speed it aint quick enough to roar but rev it and it will
if the engine is hot-if you are having the above problems ,change it !

BINGO.. im on the money now mate, cheers graham

[TW166Y]

the head gasket and bolts come to 57 but im gna do the cam belt kit and stat cums to just over 100 email me later if u eant m8

who's skimming the head?

[gcorky]

the head gasket and bolts come to 57 but im gna do the cam belt kit and stat cums to just over 100 email me later if u eant m8

if its overheated m8,crack test and skim will be required 50-80 at machine/engine shop.

[TW166Y]

thats not too bad

[alane]

there 34.99£ plus vat from gsf

i renewed mine at the weekend ,

an easy test to see if the fan is fooked is with the engine hot and running GENTLY push a rolled up newspaper or magazine into the fan blades if the fan stops the coupling is no good
if it tries to shread the paper its working .

ps dont just ram the newspaper in push it in slowly and gently you will be able to tell immediatey what going on . of course another way to tell its no good if the car is overheating in a traffic jam which mine was !