With the engine running at operating temperature, I can stop the fan with 1 finger and spin it backwards would you say that the fan clutch isn't working? :eeps:
Nope. It only engages when the car is struggling to maintain operating temperature.
Go drive hard for a bit and pop the hood, try stoping the fan immediately, after one minute, and 3 minutes. Should engage at least at one of those points. But, use a thin newspaper roll, not your finger.
+1 VERY important unless you enjoy a trip to the hospital. The fan employs a fluid coupling that progressively engages the fan based on engine temperature.
Coolant temp was 3\4 to red and getting hotter and i could still stop the fan and spin it backwards with the engine running. No way this is normal for a fan clutch.
Yes, the fan clutch is bad. As in my first post, it should only engage if the engine is struggling to maintain op temp. If you were idling at op temp it shouldn't be on in winter in most cases. If the temp was at 3/4, hell yeah it should be engaged.
I have a simpler way of doing this.
With engine hot, place your hand behind the fan, if it blows well (like your living room standing fan at home @ medium speed), then it is fine.
Or hold a piece of paper behind the fan (between the fan and engine), if the paper flaps, then fan is good.
Sorry not to be scientific!
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
BimmerFest BMW Forum
11.4M posts
753.1K members
Since 2001
A forum community dedicated to BMW owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about Bimmerfest events, production numbers, programming, performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! Bringing the BMW community together.