The E39 M5 shares the same fan clutch as the E38 740i, even though the part numbers might be different. Water heater mounting brackets work well enough in the absence of the "special tool".
Thank you I replaced the Tensioner pulley assembly, deflection pulley, and adjusting pulley after the belt broke may 2015. That leaves fan clutch as a possible cause of 2nd break August 2015
So we know more or less how to diagnose a failing fan clutch, but how would we know if the fan itself is close to failing? Would there be visual cracks in the plastic? I'm doing my water pump soon and just thinking about knocking out the clutch and fan, but everything seems fine.
I think the size of the engine is different because the i6 has 6 cylinders in line. The V8 only has 4 cylinders in line; therefore, it is going to be shorter. ;)
Hi, Ryan! Thanks for the video! As usually, very pro! 👍 If you don't mind, I would have a question... is the fan supposed to spin all the time after I start my car's engine? On my e-39 540i, the fan starts to spin right after I start-up the engine and, it continues to spin without stopping (at different speeds, I guess, after I start driving) until I shutoff the engine. No strange noises nor overheating. Nothing unusual, other than spinning all the time. As long as the engine is running, the fan doesn't stop at all. Is this normal?
my 1999 540i fan belt has broke twice in 6 months, first at 20 mph then at 90 mph Should I replace fan and fan clutch? Do you know why this happened? thanks
Reno Di Bono There really isn't a fan belt, it's run directly off the output shaft of the engine. I would replace the fan clutch if you're having issues with the fan. Or if the serpentine belt is broken than replace that.
Fan clutches can also fail by not engaging when they should. This results in overheating. They don't seem to fail any specific way. Mine also failed by never disengaging. The paper test is a good way to test for it being stuck "on" but it shouldn't actually stop. At idle, the fan should be strongly engaged and a piece of paper should not stop it. If it stops that is an indication that it is failing at properly engaging.
so lets make it straight. I just changed a fan clutch on my e39 520 2000. Bought Torpan good quality german part. When I start engine first rews and sound like bus. Ill drive and still do on 2nd gear and stops. After that no problem What is happening then?
When you first start the car from cold the clutch is "stiff" and it drives the fan for a minute or so until it "frees" up and disengages, therefore reducing fan noise to next to nothing. Then after that, heat from the radiator will engage it when required.
Replaced the fan clutch on my M62 and bought a new one from Febi with the Oem reference, the problem is, that brand new fan clutch keeps spinning at the same rpm as the engine, not lower, even if the engine cold and I start it in the morning, I cannot slow the fan with any paper lol it destroys it, any idea? thanks
How long does a fan last? I'm about to replace my fan clutch and thinking about the fan. It looks good and all, but if i'm already there might aswell think about the fan. I'm replacing the whole cooling system though, so i've abused my wallet quite a lot, so i really wanna know how long te fans usually last. Thanks in advance!
Bobby O'Hearn About 118000 miles on the clock. I'm actually not sure if it's original, but it looks and feels sturdy. It's quite well documented so i'll go over the book again
Style 5s on the 525i, stock style 65s on the M5. The style 5s came on the 525i. You can find the part number on RealOem and probably order them new, or find some good used ones online.
I wasn't impressed with the new behr clutch I put. It seems to me they have it slip to much to keep it quiet and help with fuel economy. Since my car is an automatic I would rather have it moving more air to cool the engine and transmission better. I was watching the coolant temp on my scan tool the other day and it would hit in the 200-205 range on one of the warmer days we've had. I went back to my borg warner clutch even though its a little noisier I don't have to worry about it not moving enough air especially at idle with the a/c on.
***** If you guys at E39 source are interested, I have lots of pictures of work I did on BMW's, personal and professional, I can make a pictorial about some topics that come up alot....
I can't appreciate these enough. Thank you!
"That's why I bought an M5" LOL.
Looking forward to seeing more videos!
The E39 M5 shares the same fan clutch as the E38 740i, even though the part numbers might be different. Water heater mounting brackets work well enough in the absence of the "special tool".
Excellent Vid. Helped a ton, especially noting the direction of rotation.
Thank you I replaced the Tensioner pulley assembly, deflection pulley, and adjusting pulley after the belt broke may 2015. That leaves fan clutch as a possible cause of 2nd break August 2015
Awesome. Can't wait for more videos, seems you ordered lots of parts.
Sure did, stay tuned!
FYI you can also rent the fan clutch tool from autozone, it's not metric but works the same.
On my 528i we didn't disconnect everything?
You can work on it from the side. Yes it's difficult but it's better than taking everything apart.
It is recommended to keep the fan clutch stored in a vertical position at least 24 hours before installing it, in order for the silicone oil to set.
Bad advice
@@2solid4tv48 why is that?
so if you can stop the fan while the engine is running its bad ? im not sure about that
So we know more or less how to diagnose a failing fan clutch, but how would we know if the fan itself is close to failing? Would there be visual cracks in the plastic?
I'm doing my water pump soon and just thinking about knocking out the clutch and fan, but everything seems fine.
The key is going to be the age. If the fan blades are over 10 years old, they should be replaced. The production date is stamped on one of the blades.
I think the size of the engine is different because the i6 has 6 cylinders in line. The V8 only has 4 cylinders in line; therefore, it is going to be shorter. ;)
Hi, Ryan! Thanks for the video! As usually, very pro! 👍
If you don't mind, I would have a question... is the fan supposed to spin all the time after I start my car's engine? On my e-39 540i, the fan starts to spin right after I start-up the engine and, it continues to spin without stopping (at different speeds, I guess, after I start driving) until I shutoff the engine. No strange noises nor overheating. Nothing unusual, other than spinning all the time. As long as the engine is running, the fan doesn't stop at all. Is this normal?
Thank you! This fan will spin anytime the engine is running.
👍
Thank you very much!
my 1999 540i fan belt has broke twice in 6 months, first at 20 mph then at 90 mph Should I replace fan and fan clutch?
Do you know why this happened? thanks
Reno Di Bono There really isn't a fan belt, it's run directly off the output shaft of the engine. I would replace the fan clutch if you're having issues with the fan. Or if the serpentine belt is broken than replace that.
Fan clutches can also fail by not engaging when they should. This results in overheating. They don't seem to fail any specific way. Mine also failed by never disengaging. The paper test is a good way to test for it being stuck "on" but it shouldn't actually stop. At idle, the fan should be strongly engaged and a piece of paper should not stop it. If it stops that is an indication that it is failing at properly engaging.
so lets make it straight. I just changed a fan clutch on my e39 520 2000. Bought Torpan good quality german part. When I start engine first rews and sound like bus. Ill drive and still do on 2nd gear and stops. After that no problem What is happening then?
When you first start the car from cold the clutch is "stiff" and it drives the fan for a minute or so until it "frees" up and disengages, therefore reducing fan noise to next to nothing. Then after that, heat from the radiator will engage it when required.
Replaced the fan clutch on my M62 and bought a new one from Febi with the Oem reference, the problem is, that brand new fan clutch keeps spinning at the same rpm as the engine, not lower, even if the engine cold and I start it in the morning, I cannot slow the fan with any paper lol it destroys it, any idea? thanks
Bad fan clutch! Return/exchange for another.
Interesting video... Something that I do need to do on my 530d... If I DIY it, I'll make a video
If I didn’t even need the tool with the holes to take off the fan can that be the cause of overheating?
That just means the fan wasn't tight on the water pump. If your fan blades and/or clutch are over 10 years, they need to be replaced.
Is it better to test on cold or hot engine? Thanks
What are the torque specs for the 3-5mm hex bolts for the clutch fan to the blade?
Very very interesting video
What’s the avg lifespan of the fan clutch for the E39 M5?
I generally say 10 years or 100,000 miles.
would you recommend using anti seize lubricant on the fan clutch nut? if so what kind? do you just hand tight with the 32mm nut for installation?
You can certainly put some on there, any kind you want. I've used several. It's reverse threaded so there is no need to tighten it with the wrench.
great video but the fan clutch doesn't work that way lol
Looks like this is what is wrong with Mine....Need to get it replaced ASAP
How long does a fan last? I'm about to replace my fan clutch and thinking about the fan. It looks good and all, but if i'm already there might aswell think about the fan. I'm replacing the whole cooling system though, so i've abused my wallet quite a lot, so i really wanna know how long te fans usually last. Thanks in advance!
Is the fan original? How many miles on your car, and what year is it? I would recommend replacing the fan at the same time.
Bobby O'Hearn About 118000 miles on the clock. I'm actually not sure if it's original, but it looks and feels sturdy. It's quite well documented so i'll go over the book again
What kind of rims are those? Do you know where I could get some like that?
Style 5s on the 525i, stock style 65s on the M5. The style 5s came on the 525i. You can find the part number on RealOem and probably order them new, or find some good used ones online.
***** Thanks!
I wasn't impressed with the new behr clutch I put. It seems to me they have it slip to much to keep it quiet and help with fuel economy. Since my car is an automatic I would rather have it moving more air to cool the engine and transmission better. I was watching the coolant temp on my scan tool the other day and it would hit in the 200-205 range on one of the warmer days we've had. I went back to my borg warner clutch even though its a little noisier I don't have to worry about it not moving enough air especially at idle with the a/c on.
5:49 and 5:50 - look at these. If something can go wrong. It will.
We did have it setup backwards there, should have corrected it to avoid confusion. It is installed correctly though.
Watch fan blades installation direction on clutch, if not good, fan works opposite way that it actually should...!!
Yes! We had to double check the first video clip to make sure that it was installed correctly.
*****
If you guys at E39 source are interested, I have lots of pictures of work I did on BMW's, personal and professional, I can make a pictorial about some topics that come up alot....
Yannique1 Absolutely, that would be very interesting to see! Sounds very informative.
Ok, it's 3 AM here now so let me get back to what I have here tomorrow :)
Yannique1 Wow! That puts you quite a ways east from Ohio. Sounds good!