Causes for fan clutches to go bad so soon.

[Learning]

Hi folks

I have a 91 BMW 318i. My last 2 fan clutches only lasted for about 2 years each. I thought they were supposed to last much longer. Before, they had lasted for about 4 years. What can cause a fan clutch to go bad so soon?

Thank you in advance for your answers.

[AndrewBird]

Rather than replacing the factory fan clutch over and over, why not upgrade to an electric fan and ditch the engine driven fan all together? Cheaper in the long run, gain back HP and usually more efficient.

[jlevie]

Are you using OE/OEM clutches, or Pacific Rim knock offs?

[jalopi]

I'll have to agree on the electric fan idea - I got one from summit racing for about $120 shipped. It's a Zirgo fan, 3000 cfms... which even if that number is exaggerated, it still does a pretty good job of keeping my car cool.

[Learning]

I told my mechanic about the electric fan, however, he said an electric fan wouldn't last long as it would come on and off, on and off all the time.

Also, my mechanic found that it was the thermostat that had been causing overheating of my car and not the fan as I had suspected, and so he took the thermostat out without replacing it with a new one because all the parts store had been closed as it was late in the evening. He said it was OK to have no thermostat as we lived in Southern California and it never got to zero temperature here. What do you guys think? Are there advantages and disadvantages for not having a thermostat? My car is now running very cool. The gauge is only slightly passes the blue mark all the time. Is this good or bad?

[dnguyen1963]

Your mpg will suffer...

[Learning]

Your mpg will suffer...

Could you please explain how my mpg will suffer?

[digger]

Could you please explain how my mpg will suffer?

if it doesn't get to full operating temp the temp the ECU will add some enrichment.

[AndrewBird]

While running without a thermostat won't hurt anything, it is better to have one installed. The engine was designed to work most efficiently at normal operating temp, not below (or above for that matter).

Personally, I think it sounds like your mechanic is full of shit. An electric fan won't wear out quickly because it turns on and off all the time. They are DESIGNED to do that. A decent quality fan will outlast the life of the car as most now days are brushless, which means only one moving part.

Honestly though, I know of several people who do not run any cooling fan (including me, but in my e34). Temps here get into the high 90's and I haven't had a problem. Might try just removing the fan and see what happens.

[superboosted]

.

Personally, I think it sounds like your mechanic is full of shit. An electric fan won't wear out quickly because it turns on and off all the time. They are DESIGNED to do that. A decent quality fan will outlast the life of the car as most now days are brushless, which means only one moving part.

Um,yeah new mechanic time.

[jalopi]

Can it be 'fix your own car' time now? :)

[nando]

I told my mechanic about the electric fan, however, he said an electric fan wouldn't last long as it would come on and off, on and off all the time.

Also, my mechanic found that it was the thermostat that had been causing overheating of my car and not the fan as I had suspected, and so he took the thermostat out without replacing it with a new one because all the parts store had been closed as it was late in the evening. He said it was OK to have no thermostat as we lived in Southern California and it never got to zero temperature here. What do you guys think? Are there advantages and disadvantages for not having a thermostat? My car is now running very cool. The gauge is only slightly passes the blue mark all the time. Is this good or bad?

your mechanic is an idiot.