Hello,

My 98 300D started sounding louder the other day. Like a the fan was winding up even faster and making twice the fan noise. The louder fan noise tracks with engine RPMS. The engine seems to be holding steady at 80C temp and the fan is spinning. I can easily spin it by hand when the engine is off. It feels a little gritty and not smooth. The front electrical fans are coming on also. I found the thread below. Looks like it might be the issue.

How can I prove it before I buy the parts? I suppose it could be the electrical fans making the noise if they were coming on early but they would not change their sound with engine revs correct?

Is it bad to drive it a long time if the coupling is seizing up? I was going to take a trip this weekend and wanted to use the car. Bad idea?

Thanks,
Jay


R&R of Viscous Coupled Fan, Serpentine Belt Replacement W210 E300D

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1998 E300 Turbodiesel 190,000 Elsbett Conversion
(Sold) 1992 300D over 251,000 Greasecar Conversion
Over 70 K of veggie miles total.
Follow link below to see the conversions and instructions.
http://www.geocities.com/jaycimini/MainNavigationPage.html

Sounds like the viscous fan coupling is starting to die. Some people have had success adding silicone but I don't know the details of that operation. The car should be safe to drive if you can ignore the noise. It will rob a little power from the engine.

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"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