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#1
11-03-2009, 09:14 AM
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Will I get vibration problems if I remove my cooling fan?
Dear All,
I'm considering an upgrade for my W123 1981 5 cylinder 300D I'd like to junk the mechanical (viscous?) cooling fan and replace it with a super-duper electric system. I'm a bit concerned about vibrations though - surely the removal of a great whirling chunk of metal near to the top of the engine will have an effect? Whilst the easiest solution is to just take off the fan and drive about without any forced air cooling (it is quite cold here in the Netherlands at the moment) and see how it goes - I'd appreciate any comments from the those who may have done this before me. I have looked through the old posts and some get close to answering my question - so if I've missed the important one please point me in the right direction! (I am trying not to go over old ground) Thanking you all in advance... 
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#2
11-03-2009, 10:19 AM
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Quote:
Good luck.
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#3
11-03-2009, 11:23 AM
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I used my stock fan cowl with modifications to it with E Fan.Sometimes Autozone will carry fan in stock ($60).Jegs has controller for $19.00.You can adjust jeg brand.I set mine for 100c,so it does not run much.Also have extra pigtail on stock E Fan in case new fan stops running.You will love the power gains.
__________________
1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran
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#4
11-03-2009, 12:54 PM
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Oldsinner, I'm interested in your fan setup. Dieselgiant sells an electric kit for $300+, but sounds like you figured out a solution for way less. Parts numbers for the fan (or application to ask for) and jegs controller and description (or pics?) of what you had to do to the fan shroud would be much appreciated. I've got an extra shroud and the fan clutch on my 300d is on the way out, so I have a sudden motivation for a retrofit. Of course if the mods to the shroud are obvious, I can probably figure it out. Thanks.
__________________
1983 CD 1958 Studebaker Packard (being resuscitated)
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#5
11-03-2009, 01:26 PM
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Quote:
In England a brand called Kenlowe are popular for lots of classic cars - they have several systems with by-pass switches and thermostat sensors as well as double fan setups http://www.kenlowe.com/ But their prices are not as cheap as your setup - thanks for the tip! (I'll see if the shipping to Europe is worthwhile for me - but I'm sure it is good for others on the other side of the pond)
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#6
11-03-2009, 01:31 PM
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If your electrical system goes out....
and you are not out on the highway ( and sometimes even then ) you do not have a fan and could overheat. I have 240.. they do not have the viscous fan .. .they are bolted direct... So I never have to worry that the viscous fan will give out somewhere away from home... and the electricity can so also as long as I drive in the daytime... Anyone remember PEH telling about driving across the country with his electricity out ? A very comforting thought for me with a 29 year old car.
__________________
1980 240d , chain elongation, cam marks reference: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/10414-help-i-need-check-stretch.html http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html evap fin cleaning: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/156207-photo-step-step-post-showing-w123-evaporator-removal-1983-240d-1982-300td.html?highlight=evaporator A/C thread http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html
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#7
11-03-2009, 01:32 PM
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Design speed of a viscous fan?
Quote:
Does anyone know the speed at which the fan rotates (I believe the point of a viscous fan is that it runs at a more or less constant speed)? If I can find this out then I can make some measurements - do some maths and see if my suspicions are true or not...
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#8
11-03-2009, 01:40 PM
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I see your point and I do agree that simplicity often wins the day... I can also see that in America where distances and thus the response times of the breakdown services are potentially longer than over here in Europe (where the distances if not the response times are shorter!) there is an additional value to being self sufficient. However for the practical situations that I feel I am likely to encounter over here I'd rather have a bit more power and perhaps if I'm lucky a bit better fuel consumption - though knowing me and my heavy right foot...
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#9
11-03-2009, 01:42 PM
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I dont think it will make any difference at all to vibration, since the fan and clutch are neutrally balanced.
However, it will probably increase your mileage a tiny bit, reduce engine noise a tiny bit, reduce the load on your waterpump bearing, at the expense of less reliability, less potential cooling (unless you buy a REALLY big electric fan, which would probably require an alternator upgrade), and perhaps a bit more expense.
__________________
1991 W124 250D - 130k Miles 
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#10
11-03-2009, 01:48 PM
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Electrical failure and possible resulting overheating is a good point, but in my case the car rarely gets more than 100 mi from home, and in such an event (unlikely but possible) that's what AAA is for. I'd also be interested in whether setting the E fan to come on at a lower temp might offer better cooling than the stock fan around town in hot weather. Does anyone with an electric retrofit have positive or negative feedback on that?
__________________
1983 CD 1958 Studebaker Packard (being resuscitated)
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#11
11-03-2009, 01:48 PM
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[QUOTE=leathermang;2330885]If your electrical system goes out....
I have gel battery in trunk for Amp. www.Jegs.com www.autozone.com however Jegs has best price.16" fan,for Cobra Mustang.
__________________
1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran
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#12
11-03-2009, 01:51 PM
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Hi Tombance - thanks for your input I will definitely check out the alternator issue - as for needing a really big fan I'm not so sure about that being all that important in Northern Europe. If I go on holiday to the South of France in the summer then I'll definitely need that fan - however I know of many people in the UK who have just disconnected fans and driven without any cooling other than RAM air!
With a healthy cooling system I'm pretty sure I'll get away without a fan in the winter here in Holland - even when I'm stuck in the famous traffic jams over here...
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#13
11-03-2009, 01:54 PM
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I have an electric cooling fan, manually controlled by me with a switch. I usually only use it in traffic, where I turn it on when the engine temp creeps over 100C, and it brings it back down to 90C (my standard temp) within 3-4mins.
The only time It has ever been an problem was when going up a 1 mile 1 in 3 hill with 5 people and luggage in the car. I was doing 5150RPM in 1st gear, foot to the floor all the way (probably 20mph) and the electric fan couldnt keep up. I pulled ovet at 115C and let it cool down, even put the heating on to help it. I imagine the original fan locked up with the engine turning that many RPMs would have easily kept it cool.
__________________
1991 W124 250D - 130k Miles
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#14
11-03-2009, 02:04 PM
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Quote:
Any way shame about the electric fan not keeping up but I don't think the original would have been any better unless you know that the capacity of the electric fan is lower than the original. Kenlowe are assuring me that their double fan set up will be more than capable - I've just got to check to see if I have the space for it - or for any other alternative that I may find of course.
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#15
11-03-2009, 02:11 PM
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Quote:
Take a look at oldsinner111's photographs he's got some pictures of his E fan setup - it looks good!
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