Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Diesel Discussion

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 12-01-2019, 08:06 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 701
87 300d 603 - why two fans question

I put a new vacuum pump on the 87 the other day and then drove it around without putting the metal fan or viscous clutch on. It is cool here - mid 60s - and the engine temp didn't get much above 80. But I realized that the absence of the fan meant she was a lot quieter than usual. My question is, why is there an electric fan and a normal engine fan with a clutch? Why not just electric fan or fans like later cars? My electric fan is big, seems like it moves a lot of air. And it seems like it should be sufficient even in the heat of a Las Vegas summer as my 211 gasser stays cool all the time.

__________________
DS
2010 CL550 - Heaven help me but it's beautiful
87 300D a labor of love
11 GLK 350 So far, so good
08 E350 4matic, Love it.
99 E320 too rusted, sold
87 260E Donated to Newgate School
www.Newgateschool.org - check it out.
12 Ford Escape, sold, forgotten
87 300D, sold, what a mistake
06 Passat 2.0T, PITA, sold

Las Vegas NV
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12-01-2019, 08:11 PM
Diseasel300's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 6,025
Because a puller fan is far more efficient than a pusher fan. The electric fan is there only to augment airflow across the A/C condenser. With the ambient temp around 60F just movement of the car is enough to cool the engine. In the summer, forget it. With the A/C on in the summer double forget it.

If you want to take the time and effort to do so, you can convert to an electric puller fan if you get a powerful one that's skinny enough to fit where the mechanical puller fan goes, upgrade the alternator, and install some fan control circuitry. Other than making yourself feel good and having more precise control over the fan trip points, you won't see much difference. Maybe a couple mpg in fuel economy, maybe not.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12-01-2019, 10:29 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: The slums of Beverly Hills
Posts: 8,065
Quote:
Originally Posted by dlssmith View Post
I put a new vacuum pump on the 87 the other day and then drove it around without putting the metal fan or viscous clutch on. It is cool here - mid 60s - and the engine temp didn't get much above 80. But I realized that the absence of the fan meant she was a lot quieter than usual. My question is, why is there an electric fan and a normal engine fan with a clutch? Why not just electric fan or fans like later cars? My electric fan is big, seems like it moves a lot of air. And it seems like it should be sufficient even in the heat of a Las Vegas summer as my 211 gasser stays cool all the time.
Because there wasn't enough room between the engine and radiator to fit an effective electric puller fan with the technology available at the time. The PWM controlled electric fan from the W211 won't fit in the om603 engine bay. The pusher fan in front of the condenser is again too weak to be of much use. The only E fan I've found that is both thin enough and powerful enough for the om603 came from a first gen Prius. The dual puller fans are much quieter than the viscous fan and move a lot more air, especially at idle.

__________________
CENSORED due to not family friendly words
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:22 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page