how do you check if viscous fan is working properly

Wed Jul 17, 2013 11:03 pm

having a little trouble with cooling and been advised to check the coupling on the viscous fan. not sure how to check this. help would be greatly appreciated.

Wed Jul 17, 2013 11:14 pm

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... ooling#Fan

I've never seen anyone actually shred a newspaper with the fan (Ive seen some fingers get ripped apart though

) but the difference between the cold and hot tests should be fairly obvious.

Wed Jul 17, 2013 11:16 pm

Get a rolled up newspaper, stick it in the fan, when the engine is running, if the newspaper rips then its fine, if not, its had it. Another way if it overheats in traffic, but is ok when moving, then its knackered.

Wed Jul 17, 2013 11:35 pm

nice 1 jmc330i this will be my first job tomorrow. many thanks, il be keeping my fingers well out the way

Wed Jul 17, 2013 11:42 pm

yeah its fine when on a run just when left on idle it creeps up to 3/4 on gauge. also rad pipes go a bit hard.

il try the newspaper test tomorrow and il let you's know how I get on. thanks again for your help guys

Thu Jul 18, 2013 9:18 pm

done the newspaper test and very glad to say it was the viscous fan that was knackered

for a while there I thought it was the head gasket. thanks again for your help guys