Just finished replacing my original fan clutch & fan blade on my 1986 300SDL, 237,000miles. Replaced with the 606 fan clutch and the 11-blade plastic fan. Did it make a difference?
YES, and it is noticeable, using the temp. gauge as a base, it now runs cooler at idle and cooler when the AC is on and cooler under loads. It is now very hot in the Bay Area and we are not use to this steady heat.
With the AC on and around town with the outside temp reading 97-degree I am running just over the 80-degree mark. On a grade with AC on she jumps to 100-degree by the gauge and going back down the grade even at 97-degree temp drops down to just over 80-degrees. Made the right move here and not a real big deal to change. Just watch your fingers and watch the clearance. If I remember correctly the Fan clutch and blade about $140.00+or-
IF all other coolant components are in good shape this replacement will make a difference.
Ron

Nice work! I second, third, fourth the idea of using 606 clutch. As mentioned earlier, mine runs muuuuch cooler now. At the 606 clutch price (and not even needing to swap fans) I'd say this is a no brainer if your 603 runs hot (along with cleaning the rad of course)

__________________
Paul
Benz-less
I need an SDL !

but just wanted to ask one question. My '87 SDL has a plastic, nine blade, fan. I just wanted to know if the 606 clutch will work with it. I am ready to tackle this job asap! Thanks for your reply.

Kevin

Probably it will fit. Does your existing clutch not work?

__________________

"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

and I am replacing the cooling components as preventative. She is running warmer at idle than she should, especially with the A/C. Radiator is good, so is aux fan. I am replacing water pump, thermostat, and fan clutch. Plan to drive the car for many more miles so I want the cooling system to be up to par since it is the "weak spot" it seems for these engines. Just needed to know if the plastic fan will work with the 606 clutch. Thanks for the reply!

Kevin

It should fit the 606 clutch. My 1986 300SDL had the original fan clutch and fan blade. (it was the std. fan blade) may have been plastic I thought it was alum?????
I just replaced it with the 606 fan clutch and ordered the 11-blade plastic fan. I do see a difference in the temp. especially on long pulls. When I changes out the two, I figured why not go for the 11-blade fan. it was about $55.00 more.
Since you have the 9-blade plastic fan it should work. Some where on the form it was suggested to change out the bolts for the fan to the clutch?
After 233,000 miles on mine the original clutch was just not working at all. You will see a difference even if it was just a few degrees and it is well worth the price and time to keep that head as cool as possible.
Ron

ok so update on using 606 clutch w/603 metal fan on my 603....was really hot in ATL yesterday and I had 2 bikes on the hitch rack. running 80-85 mph flat/slightly up hill a/c on max and the temp needle was pushing 110. Hadnt ever done that since replaced dead fan clutch with new 606 version. i wonder if its already toast (5k miles)? once i took the mtn bikes off and ran it again the temp didnt go much over 100 but still seemed too hot for my liking. i'll keep driving and see. i hope the 606 clutch is up to the task of driving the metal fan for a long time.

__________________
Paul
Benz-less
I need an SDL !

Ok,
You changed out the fan clutch for the 606 replacement, very good as this is the way to go. Keeping the original fan blade makes me wonder. The time and effort replacing the clutch without replacing the fan blade, why? I know about the cost but the results are what counts.
You can tell if the clutch is working by the sounds you have not heard for some time. Also, Shut the engine off and watch the blade. If it stops within (1-2) spins it is working. If not then it is free wheeling and not working properly. Do not expect the change to make a 100% difference. The increase in temp under loads is not unusual as long as it drops rather quickly along the drive. What is normal??? Remember the gauges are not always accurate. As stated, maybe changing out the fan blade for the newer version would help. It is about $55.00 for the 11-blade PLASTIC fan.
Ron

If it were my money, I would put it toward a new Behr radiator. I can't believe there is much difference in the cooling power of the aluminum and plastic fan. The plastic fan saves weight and probably saved some money for MB. It may take some strain off the clutch as well.

__________________
1987 300TD 309, xxx 2.8.2014 10,000 mile OCI


Be careful of the toes you step on today, as they may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. anonymous

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter won’t mind.” Dr. Seuss

My black 1987 300D project car came with an OM606 turbo fan clutch and 11-blade plastic fan. This setup would engage at a significantly lower temperature than the factory OM603 fan clutch with 9-blade plastic fan. So, I swapped the 606 setup on to my blue 1987 300D yesterday. The 11-blade fan mounts closer to the engine by maybe a half-inch (I need to measure exactly). Problem is, this caused interference with the aluminum partition panel in the engine compartment when turning left... the engine would move a few millimeters sideways due to cornering G-forces when turning, and the fan would grind on the panel.

Soooo.... I added three 5mm spacers between the clutch and fan, to push the fan back towards the radiator, and used the original fan clutch bolts (which are 10mm hex head, and 5mm longer than the newer socket-head bolts). I also added a screw at the bottom edge of the partition panel to pull the panel away from the fan blade. It clears fine now. But those of you who have swapped to the 11-blade fan might want to check clearance in this area... with the engine running at idle, grab the intake manifold and shove the engine sideways, back & forth, to see if there is any interference. You'll clearly hear the rubbing if there is any.

BTW - I took a short movie clip (3 seconds) showing the ACM (aftermarket) OM606.962 fan clutch as the engine is shut off, when the clutch is engaged. The fan stops IMMEDIATELY and jerks to a halt. Click here to view the movie (1MB download). The "roar" of the fan when engaged is very, very obvious... the fan disengages at approx 3500rpm, and is stinkin' loud up to that point.

This ACM 606.962 clutch is engaged far more often than the original, and so far seems to have reduced operating temps at least 5°C (from a typical 90-95°C to about 87-90°C). I've only drive it about 40 miles so far though, I need more time to evaluate the change.

Photos:

__________________
Dave
Boise, ID
Check out my website photos, documents, and movies!

Yes, it is a tight fit however, the 300D must have a little different air intake. Those of us who have the 86-87 300SDL should not have a clearance problems. At least I have not had any. I rotated it many times before starting to check and then ran over very, very, slow some bumps and road twists after installing so far so good. I agree with gsxr on how well the 11-blade plastic fan pulls. There is a difference between the original, 9-blade and this one. It seems to pull more air and you really can hear it roar at low speeds.
The local shop owner where I have work done has a 300SDL and changed out his clutch to the 606 style and kept his 9-blade plastic fan and in his opinion it works just fine.
PROVIDED your other cooling system components are in good shape. Keep your 9-blade plastic fan or go for the 11-blade plastic fan.
Ron

I'll check this area on mine. I can now spin my 606 fan clutch a good 2 turns before stop after hot shut down (used to be no more than a few fan blades) and I also just shredded a new serp belt. something is wrong, I wonder if I should of used locktite on the fan clutch center bolt...

__________________
Paul
Benz-less
I need an SDL !

The serpentine belt damage should not be related to anything with the different fan clutch. More likely it's related to the belt tensioner lever arm, or shock. It is strange, though.

I would NOT use Loc-Tite on the fan clutch center bolt! It's not needed. Is your clutch engaging when the engine is hot (i.e., above 90°C on the dash gauge), as per the "roar" test? The roar test is more accurate than the "stop & watch" test. My 606 clutch roars like crazy when you rev the engine, very obvious with the hood up and tugging on the throttle cable by hand.

You have a quiet car. I can hear the fan roar with the windows up.

Sixto
87 300D

Hi guys, does anybody know if i can use this fan clutch with my 87 sdl ? (603.961)
that`s the seller info:

Mercedes Benz Fan Clutch 300E 300SE / L 300TE E320
Replacement Part for: 103 200 0422
Brand: BTAP
Fits Mercedes-Benz Models as listed below: (with 9 Blade Fan blade) (MT - Manual Transmission / AT Automatic Transmission)
Please check engine number, if not sure please call for assistance.

• 260E (1987-1989) - M103.940 - M/T from 017337, A/T from 037141
• 300E (1986-1993) - M103.983 - M/T from 018887, A/T from 097940
• 300E 2.6 (1990-1992)
• 300E 2.8 (1993)
• 300CE (1986-1989) - Coupe; M103.983 - M/T from 018887, A/T from 097940
• 300CE (1990-1993)
• 300SE (1988-1991) - M103.981 - A/T from 045443 can be used on models before Engine # w/ (9-Blade) fan blade 103 200 04 23
• 300SEL M103.981 - A/T from 045443 can be used on models before Engine # w/ (9-Blade) fan blade 103 200 04 23.
• 300TE (1987-1989) - M103.940 - M/T from 017337, A/T from 037141
• E320 (1994-1995)
• 300E 4M (1990-1993)
• 300TE 4M (1990-1993)
  

it does have the number 140 200 0477 on it.
I hope it does fit, it`s only $80.00.

In the same site the 606 200 0122 it`s only $90.00, but w/o fan, the site is Importec, for those of you in need of a new fan clutch, althought the summer is almost gone except in Florida.
Now for those of you looking for the original one, here the good news, the original "oe" replacement of the 603:


Mercedes Fan Clutch 300D 2.5 190D 2.5 300D 350SD 350SDL

List Price: $220.00
Our Price: $109.95
You Save $110.05!
Replacement Part for: 603 200 0422
Brand: OEA
Description Quality Brand Fan Clutch for Mercedes Benz - (Made in Germany)
Replaces Clutch on Mercedes Part Number: 603 200 0422 with Metal Fan Blade Only

PLEASE NOTE: MERCEDES BENZ NO LONGER OFFERS THIS PART ON ITS OWN, AND NOW SELLS ONLY THE COMPLETE FAN & CLUTCH ASSEMBLY. THIS FAN CLUTCH WILL ONLY FIT ON THE ORIGINAL METAL BLADE FAN AND WILL NOT FIT ON THE LATER REPLACEMENT PLASTIC FAN BLADE.
Fits: Mercedes-Benz Models with METAL engine cooling fans only:
124 Chassis: 300D 2.5T, 300D-T, 300TD-T
126 Chassis: 300SDL, 350SD, 350SDL
140 Chassis: 300SD, S350D
201 Chassis: 190D 2.5T



i do hope the info can help.