PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post

vstech · #1 10-03-2012, 11:11 PM

OK, I've had several 603 powered 124's at this point. the original cooling fan is a 9 blade aluminum fan on a large viscous clutch. the clutch is EXTREMELY expensive, so many have found the Turbo 606 clutch to be a less expensive upgrade. however, it will not work on the aluminum fan, either the mass or something else will cause the clutch to fail prematurely. so getting a new Turbo 606 fan blade along with the fan clutch is a great alternative.

DO NOT USE THE 9 BLADE PLASTIC FAN ON THE 124 with a 603!!!!

many have noticed the notches on the back tips of the original aluminum blade. this was to allow clearance to the intake boot that passes through the heat shield. this is a consideration when choosing a blade, but it's not a deadly sin if it's not matched, as the na 606 blade has a smaller diameter, and a much rounded profile compared to the stock blade.

HOWEVER! the 9 blade FLAT EDGE blade will cause SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE RADIATOR!!! it's mounting face is much further back on the hub of the blade, which makes the blade faces closer to the radiator.
this sounds like a good thing, since the blade being closer to the radiator should draw more air through it... the problem is that on the 124, the fan clears the cooling surface of the radiator by about 1" on the passenger's side... so being closer to the radiator means the blade can contact the flange of the radiator.
it's happened to TWO of my radiators... took me a while to figure out what was happening, as sitting still the motor is still a good and solid point, and the blade is at least 1/2" away from the flange...
BUT! when the clutch fully engages, the blades FLEX TOWARDS THE RADIATOR... the tip hits the edge, and POP the radiator tube ruptures, and coolant is lost.

I'll post up some pics, as I just got home from fixing the mess with an 11 blade Turbo 606 fan... I'm tired.

I think the flat edge fan is from a 602... not a 606, and it WILL NOT BE SAFE ON THE CAR!!!