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Engine fan on at startup?

Posted: Sat Dec 02, 2017 2:36 pm
by Wildfire
Maybe Z4C has started doing something funny. Every time I start the engine engine fan comes on, on full.

If I restart the engine it turns off and it’s fine. No EML light.

Any ideas?

Engine fan on at startup?

Posted: Sat Dec 02, 2017 2:58 pm
by Smartbear
Wildfire wrote: Sat Dec 02, 2017 2:36 pm Maybe Z4C has started doing something funny. Every time I start the engine engine fan comes on, on full.

If I restart the engine it turns off and it’s fine. No EML light.

Any ideas?
Hi, my si did that & its the Cars way of trying to compensate for a failing water pump! I’d order one now and stop using the car before you flambé the magnesium engine :o
Get the codes read to be sure but that’s a mirror image of my cars behaviour, I had no warning lights up but stored codes of “implausible pump speed” were logged.
Rob

Engine fan on at startup?

Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2017 1:06 am
by Wildfire
Balls! Will order one on Monday and see if I can get it fitted ASAP!

Only bad thing is I’m currently 150 miles from home!

Engine fan on at startup?

Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2017 1:39 am
by Ducklakeview
Yup, common side effect of a failing water pump, BUT as said, I would have the codes read first rather than just shelling out for a replacement.

Not a difficult job to DIY, and parts aren't too bad. I did one recently and a genuine pierburg pump plus a branded thermostat, BOTH with lifetime unlimited mileage warranty came to £370 inc vat. There are pierburg pumps on eBay for I believe around £240-250 but I thought £370 all in for both was a better deal, especially as if they ever fail again they will be replaced FOC.

Refilling the cooling system can be tricky, bmw insist on using a vacuum filling unit, which does the job correctly in minutes. I have only done them using the correct tool and automatic pump bleeding sequence, which runs the water pump for 12 mins continuously with the engine off and cold. But in order to do that you need a constant voltage supply connected to the battery as the ign, interior fan and dipped headlights need to be on for the full 12 mins. This draws about 40 amps, so you must have a diagnostic support unit attached to the battery that is capable of supplying the required current while maintaining 13v+

I can imagine it being a nightmare to vent the air from the system without the above.

Mike

Engine fan on at startup?

Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2017 1:44 am
by Wildfire
I'm pretty mechanically and have tools, just not too much time in the run up to work. I've found one for £310.

If only you were local Mike!

Engine fan on at startup?

Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2017 1:47 am
by Ducklakeview
Wildfire wrote: Sun Dec 03, 2017 1:44 am I'm pretty mechanically and have tools, just not too much time in the run up to work. I've found one for £310.

If only you were local Mike!
£310 for just the pump? If so, that's not cheap!

Mike

Engine fan on at startup?

Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2017 1:54 am
by Wildfire
Hmmmmm... really? ECP is £500 odd.

Engine fan on at startup?

Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2017 2:00 am
by Ducklakeview
Wildfire wrote: Sun Dec 03, 2017 1:54 am Hmmmmm... really? ECP is £500 odd.
I can get you the pierburg pump, and an oem stat, both with lifetime unlimited mileage warranty from ecp for £370 inc vat. Here's an invoice from last week showing warranty and retail prices which are plus vat..
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Mike

Engine fan on at startup?

Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2017 2:13 am
by Wildfire
Cheers Mike! I'll give you a bell soon.

Engine fan on at startup?

Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2017 8:20 pm
by Wildfire
Ok, so I've made it home the 150 miles. The car only seems to do it when totally cold?

Still pointing towards the water pump?

Anyhow I've plugged the code reader in and there is nothing stored and all monitors etc. are ok. As I've just hit 73k I am thinking of having it replaced as a preventative measure as I need the car over Christmas.

Engine fan on at startup?

Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2017 8:27 pm
by Smartbear
Wildfire wrote: Sun Dec 03, 2017 8:20 pm Ok, so I've made it home the 150 miles. The car only seems to do it when totally cold?

Still pointing towards the water pump?

Anyhow I've plugged the code reader in and there is nothing stored and all monitors etc. are ok. As I've just hit 73k I am thinking of having it replaced as a preventative measure as I need the car over Christmas.
Hi, mine only did it from cold as well, what code reader did you use, cheap & cheerful or a professional type?
A garage read the codes on mine with some serious kit :?
Rob

Engine fan on at startup?

Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2017 8:37 pm
by Ducklakeview
As Rob said earlier, code read is needed. A lot of the cheaper obd ones will either not talk to the modules needed, or read pending codes.

Mike

Engine fan on at startup?

Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2017 8:39 pm
by Wildfire
Ah right. Many thinks again Mike and Rob.

I reckon it's on it's way out. It wasd just a cheap and cheerful, not INPA. Ah well....

Engine fan on at startup?

Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2017 8:55 pm
by Scooba_Steve
Wildfire wrote: Sun Dec 03, 2017 8:39 pmAh right. Many thinks again Mike and Rob.

I reckon it's on it's way out. It wasd just a cheap and cheerful, not INPA. Ah well....
You near me? I'm NW London

Engine fan on at startup?

Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2017 9:14 pm
by Ducklakeview
Wildfire wrote: Sun Dec 03, 2017 8:39 pm Ah right. Many thinks again Mike and Rob.

I reckon it's on it's way out. It wasd just a cheap and cheerful, not INPA. Ah well....
You are pretty much on the mileage for it being done tbh. I would change the stat whilst you are in there as well. They aren't known for failing, but they are an electrically controlled stat rather than a traditional wax capsule one so I would change it, although if the stat fails, it should fail safe, ie open rather than closed.

Mike