Radiator fan gone!

[bmwaddict]

Out today and the temperature started creeping up in traffic, no coolant leak so called AA and turns out fan has gone. A quick call to BMW and I find out a new one is £501! More than a new rad!

Anyone removed and replaced fan themselves and is it a straight forward job as it looks pretty simple? Any special tools required? TIA.

Dan

 

[VRSteve]

Could you replace with a pacet fan???

 

[firebobby]

Out today and the temperature started creeping up in traffic, no coolant leak so called AA and turns out fan has gone. A quick call to BMW and I find out a new one is £501! More than a new rad!

Anyone removed and replaced fan themselves and is it a straight forward job as it looks pretty simple? Any special tools required? TIA.

Dan

Hi Dan
I would have thought it wouldn't be to hard to do, what has gone on your old one, is it seized or just a poor connection ??

 

[Ewazix]

Could you replace with a pacet fan???

There have been a few threads asking if an aftermarket alternative can be used but I haven't seen anybody manage it yet. The original is a variable speed unit and has multiple connections including with the ecu which controls speeds based on various temperature sensor inputs. But it must possible if someone knew what they were doing?

 

[bmwaddict]

Not seized Fred, Just worn out apparently.

 

[firebobby]

Not seized Fred, Just worn out apparently.

Is it worth checking the electrical plug connection Dan, try some electrical cleaner.

 

[bmwaddict]

will do thanks.

 

[MrPT]

I still haven't gotten round to ebaying this if you are interested?

Dead easy to replace - a few torx bolts to unscrew to get the front panel in the engine bay off and detach the fan pack. Then it just slides out.

Agree it's worth checking the connections first. Also the wiring loom if you feel up to it - you can use the BMW wiring diagrams to test every connection, point-to-point. This is the reason I have a new unit going spare - my issue was actually a dodgy connection between fan pin 4 and pin 8 of the X60001 connector in the DME.

 

[bmwaddict]

Pm'd.

 

[buzyg]

The fan is pretty easy to replace. It's expensive to buy though. I had mine done at a local indie for less than I could source a new fan for.

 

[MrPT]

Just for the record, bmwaddict (Dan) is popping round to pick up the fan tonight and is paying cash. I said I'd take it back and give him a refund if it doesn't fix his issue - a misdiagnosis is how I ended up with a new spare fan in the first place, so don't really want to pass on the bad luck! :?

 

[Scooba_Steve]

Sounds more than fair

 

[bmwaddict]

Thanks again Paul, a true gent

 

[Rally]

Just for the record, bmwaddict (Dan) is popping round to pick up the fan tonight and is paying cash. I said I'd take it back and give him a refund if it doesn't fix his issue - a misdiagnosis is how I ended up with a new spare fan in the first place, so don't really want to pass on the bad luck! :?

Legend