Chalkboard needs help, fan clutch issue.

[Neil1138]

Tried everything on this one guys. Could use some help

I'm having a bit of trouble with my fan clutch, it refuses to lock up. Bought a new one before bimmerfest, installed it and it would not lock up, even when it was 100+ outside. If I let the e30 sit idle, it will creep up to 3/4 temp before I engage the electric fan and prevent the car from overheating. For bimmerfest we ended up putting on a fan clutch that was almost at full lock 24/7. Sucked

I then returned the bad one and got another one after bimmerfest, same problem. I returned that one and got another one, same problem. I've gone through 3 fan clutches that refuse to lock up. After the car is up to temp, I can stick my fingers in the blades and stop the fan. I've done the newspaper tests, everything. I just can't believe that 3 fan clutches in a row are bad.

The thermostat is new and works, the waterpump is new and works, all hoses are new, the radiator is new. There are no leaks in the system so it is building the needed pressure. I am at a loss here. It's just hard to believe that 3 brand new fan clutches are bad, something else has to be at play.

Any thoughts?

[Pantless Spency]

thats weird. you could always run an electrical spal fan.

[MR 325]

Just curious, have they all been the same brand? If so, what brand?

[jlevie]

Just curious, have they all been the same brand? If so, what brand?

That would be my question. While you could get a defective BMW fan clutch, having that happen twice is a stretch.

[Neil1138]

First one was Sachs, second and third I do not know.

I've returned the third one and decided to just do an electric fan conversion. Bought the Spal low profile fan, will update.

Thanks for the input guys

<3

[bmwguy325is]

Im curious if some how when you installed them you damaged them? Not pointing fingers

[Neil1138]

No worries sir. I can assure you it is being installed properly :)

Not quite sure what's going on with the e30 but hopefully the electric puller will work fine.

[bmwguy325is]

No worries sir. I can assure you it is being installed properly :)

Not quite sure what's going on with the e30 but hopefully the electric puller will work fine.

Id agree thats really weird. I have put 250000 miles on my E30. I have only replaced the fan clutch once

[CHIF8008]

well from my experience if they were stored laying down then the oil leaked out. so your "new" fan clutch is just as bad as the old one. actually very hard to find a lace that stores them correctly.

electric fan is deff. the way to go

[Gregs///M]

I recently suspected and replaced my fan clutch. My old one would never lock up. However, even my new one would not lock up either. I let my car sit and idle for a longer period of time and then I noticed it locked up.

Try waiting at idle for a bit longer perhaps? Also, don't drive a newspaper in there hard, just lightly and it should beat the hell out of it but continue to spin.

[Neil1138]

well from my experience if they were stored laying down then the oil leaked out. so your "new" fan clutch is just as bad as the old one. actually very hard to find a lace that stores them correctly.

electric fan is deff. the way to go

Good point. I haven't noticed any silicone oil leakage but that's a very real possibility.

I recently suspected and replaced my fan clutch. My old one would never lock up. However, even my new one would not lock up either. I let my car sit and idle for a longer period of time and then I noticed it locked up.

Try waiting at idle for a bit longer perhaps? Also, don't drive a newspaper in there hard, just lightly and it should beat the hell out of it but continue to spin.

I did the newspaper test very gently. Single piece of paper, folded a few times.

If I leave the car idling for a while (in 100+ degree heat) it will creep past half way and onto 3/4 before I engage the electric pusher fan and prevent the car from overheating. If I just left the car and didn't turn on the pusher fan, it would for sure climb into the red and overheat. I'm assuming all of the fan clutches are bad because they are not engaging even when the temp is near 3/4.

I've considered just dropping it because it'll be fall here soon and not hot enough outside to worry. Out of curiosity, when exactly is the mechanical fan supposed to lock up? 170-180F or so?

Again, thank you for the input guys <3

[E30Gus]

I'm curious as to where you bought the clutches from. I had the same problem from Pelican parts. Brand new one did not work so I returned it. I went through two like this before giving up and keeping the old one that partially works. Going electric soon.