Engine fan/Elect.Fan exchange??

[tjseitz2001]

Anybody change from the engine driven fan to an electric fan set up on an 82 300D?? Can this work or are there any drawbacks? What is the best fan to use? Any thoughts or comments welcomed. Thanks Tom 82 300D

[Brian Carlton]

I think someone successfully put a Spal fan in one of these vehicles.

The drawback is that the fan draws serious current if it's going to do the proper job.........and the alternator cannot keep up with it.

Furthermore, the fan needs some type of temperature switch in the head for control. You don't want to run it all the time.

Otherwise, it's an economical alternative to the engine driven fan, once the installation is accomplished.

Not much point in it. The engine fan works very well and it draws less crankshaft power than an electric one does.

[pawoSD]

Does it really make that much of a difference mpg wise? Our minivan's cursed electrical cooling fan system leaves a lot to be desired....like a mechanical fan...

I would also just stick with the mechanical fan, it works well except for periodically having to replace the (expensive) clutch.

[JimmyL]

Enough things happen on these cars without looking for something to do.........

[Mister Byrnzoil]

I put dual cooling fans on my jeep and its a great upgrade.


I am absolutely going to do this on the benz. The Engine driven fan extremely limited advantages...do any new cars still have a mechanically driven fan??

As I drive mostly on the highway I consider it to be a power parasite, even when cold, its never actually freewheeling.

An electric fan is considerably more efficient than an engine driven fan... the best thing about an electric fan is when it not on.

You can make it as simple or as complex as you want, I used junkyard fans, when they are turned on, together they pull a little less than 50 amps. I have a 100 amp alternator and it works well. it also runs the fuel pump (8 amps), the fog lights, spark system, and the normal accessories.

Heres a somewhat shoddy 7+ year old writeup in desperate need of updating.

http://rbk3.com/fsj/dcfans.htm


Disclaimer-If you live in a temperate urban area and spend most of your time in stop and go traffic then I retract the preceeding statments.

[pawoSD]

Chevy trucks still use mechanical fans....I know the Vortec 4.3 V6 does....I've worked on one this past month. Viscous clutch and plastic fan, looks just like a MB setup. Don't know if their V8's have mechanical...but I'd bet they do. I think Crown Vic's do....and Caprices.....and Town Cars.....many cars with rear drive still have them just because the engine is in the right position.

My guess is that electric fans really became a norm when the engines were mounted sideways for front wheel drive vehicles.

My vote: Mechanical fan better

[tjseitz2001]

Thanks for your thoughts guys. Im going to look in to this further. I just figure any little bit of HP.gained on these diesels is a good thing. Tom 82 300D

[Mister Byrnzoil]

Originally Posted by pawoSD

Chevy trucks still use mechanical fans....I know the Vortec 4.3 V6 does....I've worked on one this past month. Viscous clutch and plastic fan, looks just like a MB setup. Don't know if their V8's have mechanical...but I'd bet they do. I think Crown Vic's do....and Caprices.....and Town Cars....

So basically cars that are made to idle indefinitely and deal with urban traffic ie. cop cars, taxis and limos have mechanical fans. The is a worst case scenario for electrical fan, and the engine driven fan is the ideal for this situation.

This will be my next upgrade, since I have to change the water pump anyway. I like the control afforded by the E fan system, there are adjustable thermstats, if you want the fans to come on @ 90c in the summer, but 100c in the winter, no problema.

If you want the fans to run for 90 seconds after you shut off the engine (the turbo might enjoy that), its easily done.

The Efan allows your engine to reach operating temp sooner.

Although I have no evidence, I would think that the water pump shaft seal (and hence the water pump) would last longer since its no longer suject to the torsional forces that the fan requires.

Finally, it vastly improves access to the front of the engine for maintainence.

[Paulc66t]

I think the big reason why you don't see mechanical fans much is front wheel drive. The engine is oriented transversly and therefore not inline w/ the radiator.