PDA

View Full Version : Fan clutches:


E34 530
05-25-2006, 12:09 PM
After determining that my fan clutch is on its way out, I've decided to buy a new one but can't find any OEM ones. AutohausArizona has a Sachs one, but I heard that OEM is the best way to go. Is this true??
Dave M
05-25-2006, 12:20 PM
Not sure what Autohaus is peddling, but I've had good luck with my
"Behr" clutch from BMA (http://www.bmaparts.com/epcksoap.epc?action=Search&cookieID=1T70WIBXI1T70WILC0&drillid=7&subcatid=801494@@Fan+Clutch&clientid=bmaparts).

What is the dealer asking?

Dave M
E34 530
05-25-2006, 12:36 PM
Not sure what Autohaus is peddling, but I've had good luck with my
"Behr" clutch from BMA (http://www.bmaparts.com/epcksoap.epc?action=Search&cookieID=1T70WIBXI1T70WILC0&drillid=7&subcatid=801494@@Fan+Clutch&clientid=bmaparts).

What is the dealer asking?

Dave M

Realoem is saying about 150.
E34 530
05-25-2006, 12:36 PM
Not sure what Autohaus is peddling, but I've had good luck with my
"Behr" clutch from BMA (http://www.bmaparts.com/epcksoap.epc?action=Search&cookieID=1T70WIBXI1T70WILC0&drillid=7&subcatid=801494@@Fan+Clutch&clientid=bmaparts).

What is the dealer asking?

Dave M

Yeah, I've been debating between pelicanparts auothaus, and bma, but none seem to have oem.
E34 530
05-25-2006, 12:46 PM
How long have you had the behr clutch installed??
Dave M
05-25-2006, 01:23 PM
How long have you had the behr clutch installed??

two years, working well

Dave M
E34 530
05-25-2006, 01:33 PM
two years, working well

Dave M

sounds good, if I can't find an oem for about $100, I'll try it out. Thanks for the info.
VentoGT
05-25-2006, 01:44 PM
FWIW, a lot of the M5 guys like the Behr clutch better than the Sachs.
tgrandahl
05-25-2006, 01:49 PM
i know this is somewhat ot but when a fan clutch dies will it fail to engage or stay engaged constantly? It seems like mine is stuck engaged all the time and i dont see how that could be bad but just curious.
Anthony (M5 in Calgary)
05-25-2006, 03:45 PM
FWIW, a lot of the M5 guys like the Behr clutch better than the Sachs.

First I've heard of it - please elaborate.
Robin-535im
05-25-2006, 04:32 PM
i know this is somewhat ot but when a fan clutch dies will it fail to engage or stay engaged constantly? It seems like mine is stuck engaged all the time and i dont see how that could be bad but just curious.
Can go either way, I've had them fail engaged and never-to-engage-again. It takes a lot of power to turn that fan at high RPMs so if you drive on the highway you'll be stirring the crap out of the air in your engine compartment!

I had a Jeep with a broken-engaged one, and it just sucked all the power at higher speeds but never broke anything else. I don't think it will stress the water pump since the force goes from the pulley to the fan clutch and not *through* the water pump mechanicals.
E34 530
05-25-2006, 04:37 PM
Can go either way, I've had them fail engaged and never-to-engage-again. It takes a lot of power to turn that fan at high RPMs so if you drive on the highway you'll be stirring the crap out of the air in your engine compartment!

I had a Jeep with a broken-engaged one, and it just sucked all the power at higher speeds but never broke anything else. I don't think it will stress the water pump since the force goes from the pulley to the fan clutch and not *through* the water pump mechanicals.

lol Jeeps seem to have the LOUDEST fans ever. You can always hear them coming from a stop and know what kind of car they are before even seeing them. My Mom used to have the 1998 Jeep 5.9 limited. That thing was a beast, I loved it. She traded it for an Infiniti QX4 though.
Bimmerman
05-25-2006, 05:47 PM
Shogun posted a good procedure on fixing your old one a while back, might have you good as new for around five dollars and some elbow grease...

http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?t=13379&highlight=fan+clutch

Only the top link works now, and the removal instructions are for a porsche but the rest is still valid with heaps of pictures. Hope it helps!...
E34 530
05-25-2006, 06:03 PM
Just bought the damn thing lol
TheEndIsNear
05-25-2006, 07:11 PM
A fan clutch spins the fan the whole time that the motor is running, all it does is prevents the fan from spinning at excessive RPM's while keeping the rotation fast enough to provide cooling. If a fan clutch locks up the it will spin at the same rate as the motor, this is bad. When that fan start spinning too fast it starts tearing things up. Most in my experience are designed to limit the speed of rotation to 2000 RPM or below.