E39 Fan hitting the block

[anonymous-user]

I don't think you mean aux fan, it sounds more like the main fan which IIRC is on a viscous coupling.

Either the coupling has failed or your whole water pump has bust.

[MajorMantra]

dibbers006 said:

Jumped in the 530 this morning and hear a loud clanking sound from the engine bay.

Overnight, the aux fan seems to have decided to start hitting the block.

It's not flapping against the shroud, it's actually hitting the metal of the engine.

It looks pretty straight on its mountings, so what the hell have I / it done overnight?!

Possibly a fractured blade that finally gave up the ghost when you started the car today?

[MajorMantra]

Has the fan's bearing collapsed, allowing extra play?

[996TT02]

Cool starry bra, but check what's wrong and fix it - or do you want an Internet diagnosis and repair?

[njw1]

Seeing as a plastic fan hitting an engine wouldn't make a 'clanking' sound and a viscous fan on a BMW would have to move backwards by a hell of a long way to actually make contact with the engine I think we need pictures here...

[njw1]

Is the fan definitely on the right way around?

[Elliot2000]

It will almost certainly be water pump bearings worn

[anonymous-user]

dibbers006 said:

Bearing does look most likely

No excrement, Mr Holmes!

You should be fine. Key thing to remember is these engines do NOT like being overheated. I got away with murder via a 50p piece, a small bottle of sparkling water and a careful limp around the M25 to a garage. But that's another story...