e30 fan problem

[Auslander RML]

First off, I am a new user of this board, but I have been reading everybody elses threads for a few months now. Its awesome to see so many Bimmer fans online!
I drive a 1984 318i, and have put a decent ammount of work into it since I got it last Feburary. Over the summer months, I have noticed that whenever my temp gauge goes over the first white line, I get a horrible squealing noise, especially when I top off a gear. I know it is something with the fan system, and I have heard lots about the notorious e30 fan clutch problems...anybody have any ideas? Any input would be really helpful...

 

[jrt67ss350]

Welcome to the board! I too am a new user of the board as well as a new BMW owner (needed something more economical to take to medical school than my 9mpg Camaro - what better than a Bimmer???).

Anyways, you've probably got a worn or loose fan/alternator belt. When the engine gets warmer, the fan clutch is locking up tighter to couple the fan to the water pump pulley to move more air to keep the engine cool. As a result, more drag and force is placed on the fan belt. Hence the squeal only when the temp gets warmer.

 

[junglestylz]

If you start the car and hold a towel between your hands, while the fan is spinning, flop the towel over the fan blades. If the clutch is bad, the fan will stop spinning immediately. If it isn't it will rip the towel out of one of your hands. It is a lot safer than trying to stop it with your hand, and it won't brake the blades.

 

[Auslander RML]

Cool. I will definitely try some of those ideas out. Hopefully, I will only have to replace a belt, I hear the fan clutch is not an inexpensive job...

 

[junglestylz]

You can get the fan clutch from eurasian auto parts for right around thirty bucks (i just replaced the one on my 1985 318i this summer) All you need is a big wrench to loosen the nut. Normally you can either get somebody to hold the belt. Or you can tie a Prussiks knot around the belt to a point on the car to hold it while you break the nut loose. It is really easy. I managed to change my fan clutch, fan, belt, and AC belt in about thirty minutes. Here is the email fro eurasian.

info@eap4parts.com

909-308-1744

 

[jrt67ss350]

I also just replaced my fan clutch two weekends ago. Piece of cake - everything on cars should be this easy to fix. Like jungle said, you'll specifically need a 32mm wrench to take the clutch off the water pump shaft. A new Craftsman 32 mm wrench costs about $30 I think, so I borrowed one from someone else. I also replaced my thermostat while I was working on the car - now the temp is rock steady and the A/C works better. Easy job.