400SE Electric Fan Assembly
Discussion
Hi Folks - I hope this finds you all fit and well. Conscious I haven't dialled in much in recent times - KCR ^Y hada long spell in the paint shop but has just kept rolling on - nothing bar service work required - till potentially now!
Pretty sure I am going to conclude in the morning that the fan is dead - I assume it is an original single unit - I think you can get them from MAW?
I have read all sorts of horror stories on here over the years about taking the radiator out -
From folks experience can the fan be changed with the radiator in situ?
Is it easier to remove the bonnet?
With a brand new paint job not keen to take front spoiler/bumper assembly off.
Thanks in advance for the benefit of your wisdoms.
EWAN
Pretty sure I am going to conclude in the morning that the fan is dead - I assume it is an original single unit - I think you can get them from MAW?
I have read all sorts of horror stories on here over the years about taking the radiator out -
From folks experience can the fan be changed with the radiator in situ?
Is it easier to remove the bonnet?
With a brand new paint job not keen to take front spoiler/bumper assembly off.
Thanks in advance for the benefit of your wisdoms.
EWAN
I've an 89 350i with the single fan and had the fan out by just removing the bonnet. Its tight and I had to cut some cable ties to move some wiring. My fan had gone stiff due to rust build up in the motor but I managed to take most of it apart and flood it with WD40 to flush it out. Been fine for several years now.
A long time since I had my 350i, but when I changed the fan I am pretty sure I didn’t have to remove the radiator. I think I did take the bonnet off, but to be honest it was a long time ago, so cannot really remember.
Good luck this afternoon and hopefully by the time you read this you have done it.
Good luck this afternoon and hopefully by the time you read this you have done it.
350i's are indeed different to 400SE's, I have both, and have done both.
On the 400SE (SX!) I took the rad out upwards, after removing the fan assembly.
One part was a bit tight so I cut a notch into the crossmember to get it out.
If you're only doing the fans then no need to move the rad. Expect every bolt on the fan casing to shear off as they will be rusted solid.
I had a bit break off the cowl at the bottom but repaired it and put it back in.
On the 400SE (SX!) I took the rad out upwards, after removing the fan assembly.
One part was a bit tight so I cut a notch into the crossmember to get it out.
If you're only doing the fans then no need to move the rad. Expect every bolt on the fan casing to shear off as they will be rusted solid.
I had a bit break off the cowl at the bottom but repaired it and put it back in.
Thanks once again all.
Well - testing and identifying all electrical connections etc was great practice but proved the inevitable conclusion - one very seized fan.
My good lady helped me take the bonnet off - access better than I had expected.
Thankfully top bolt drilled straight out - one lower one missing. Third one 15 minutes with a hacksaw blade and much skin left behind! Start to finsh under an hour.
Simon at MAW Solutions very helpful replacement Davies Craig unit arrived today.
Onto the next chapter!!!
Well - testing and identifying all electrical connections etc was great practice but proved the inevitable conclusion - one very seized fan.
My good lady helped me take the bonnet off - access better than I had expected.
Thankfully top bolt drilled straight out - one lower one missing. Third one 15 minutes with a hacksaw blade and much skin left behind! Start to finsh under an hour.
Simon at MAW Solutions very helpful replacement Davies Craig unit arrived today.
Onto the next chapter!!!
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