:eek:

How many modern vehicles are broken in at 300k?

Just stick the with viscous. Its alot less likely to fail on you in the middle of the desert!

My 91 Jetta was well broken in then. The motor required replacement at 400k because the brushes wore out and it was not serviceable. I had to repair the wiring when I got the car at 370k because a PO let the battery explode and the acid ate the wiring. I actually drove the car for 2,000 miles with no fan at all. No problems because my drive then was all country and I was always moving.

Seems the visco clutch on my benz was dead by 200k. What a POS :P The dual electric fans, and their electronic controller, all work fine on my TDI at 240k. And in the summer I use the AC all the time, so they never shut off.

IMHO a well designed electric fan is a good substitute for a broken visco fan. Of course some cheep piece of crap won't last, but a quality piece should work fine. I'll be doing this conversion on my pickup soon. I kept (well replaced... damn that oem one is $$$!!!) the visco fan on my SDL because I want the car to be as original as possible.

-Jason

Yeah that was up Hardknott pass in the Lake District, check out the photos, its a scary drive: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardknott_Pass

Thanks for the info. Another good "stock or retro" discussion, with attendent controversies.

That does look like fun Tombance but surely the Lake District was "made" for walking! I'd have asked the passengers to get out and enjoy those spectacular views - even if it was foggy and you couldn't see past the end of your nose...

Thank you everyone for your input(s) - I didn't realise that I was opening Pandora's box - EEEEEEKKKK!

Can we all agree or disagree with each other on whether the swap should or should not be made?

I'm assuming that nobody feels that by removing the cooling fan I am likely to cause a vibration problem (that wasn't there to start off with!) - that is great news.

Thanks again.

Here's an update on this old thread.

I've recently removed the fan (after fixes to the front crankshaft seal) and I have experienced no additional vibration. I'm about to add an electrical fan for the summer trip down to the South of France... I'll stick some photo's on when its done

200,000 miles on a component isn't bad IMHO. moving mechanical parts are going to fail or need attention at some point. the post concerning a failed electrical system is something to consider. sure don't want to be on a trip 1000 miles from home and lose the electrical system and thus the electric fan.

Just in case any one is interested
 

Here are some pictures of the car as it stands now - no fan at all - EEEEK!!!

All of you drivers who live in a hot climate will think I'm mad but here the temperature has barely reached 5 degrees Celsius for the last 4 months... it has been a cold cold miserable winter (I wish I lived in the sun)

Please note the smartened up water pump pulley and crankshaft pulley which I have recently treated with KBS rust blast, rust seal, and finished off with their satin black top coat.

Another update:-

I've just ordered a Kenlowe fan for a trip I'll be making soon to the South of France. I'm not mad enough to drive to the Mediterranean in the summer with out some forced air cooling. Pictures to follow...

wow, your oil cooler lines are very shiny! as are you transmission cooler lines.
are they new, or did you just finish cleaning everything in addition to painting your pulleys?

At great cost
 

I bought them new - sorry I took the lazy way out. (I'd actually bust the lower screw thread at the bottom of the cooler - so that was replaced too. I've still got the old one which apart from the bottom thread is in good condition. I plan to fix this and post the results)

Yeeee ha - it is here!
 

After getting lost on the way the kit has arrived.

If I run out of fuel I reckon I can just flick on the manual over ride and just get sucked home!

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...pictureid=2341

I'm gonna try and fit it this week end

I have a 16" Spal electric fan I have been using for a few years with out any problems. I use a MB sensor that activates at 100c to kick on the fan.
I haven`t had any over heating problems, and actually the fan usually doesn`t come on even with around town driving.

It will come on if I leave the car idling and the temp rises.
I have a back up over ride switch on the dash if all else fails.

when I first installed one, I got it off E-Bay. ZIRGO, I don`t recommend this one. started making noise one day. when I talked to the Spal vendor at a car show, he said they use a bushing on one end and a bearing on the other end of the shaft. and the bushing usually goes.
the Spal has a bearing on ea end.

airflow coming through the radiator will keep these things spinning, so they will constantly be turning. though that is only from ram air.

I have no vibrations w/o the mechanical driven fan.

there is always that fear of changing something on these cars, what if the fan quits and the engine over heats???
What if the electrical system quits, and the engine over heats???
as long as you are moving, there is enough Ram air comong thourgh the radiator to keep eng temps normal. once above say 25mph, the fan isn`t much help.
Here is one, what if the blower motor quits in the middle of winter and it is 20 below zero??? then what, you freeze to death. there you are with a death grip on the steering wheel in a frozen position :eek:

There is always the what If camp, and the fear of what ever, and don`t change anything.

Enjoy your new project, and enjoy your trip to France.

Charlie

Progress is slow but I'm getting there
 

Here's a picture of the fitted fan

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...pictureid=2391

The kit contains snazzy little adjustable mounts that clamp to the side of the radiator.