Tropical fan clutch really works - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 10-14-2002, 04:07 AM

Its really getting hot in this part of the world (Philippines) which is unusual for this time of the year. My 260E has been running on the hot side for the past couple of weeks and coupled with the amazing Manila traffic that we have here means that my temp has been reading hot between 100 - 115 during prolonged idle in traffic with the A/C on (up to 30 minutes of non movement in traffic). Obviously I have been keeping an eye on the temp gauge more than on the road for fear of overheating.

Then I remember reading about the tropical version of the fan clutch that BongC36 mentioned and decided to give it a try. I bought the fan clutch with part no 104 200 01 22 for about $120, let my mechanic pop it in and gave it a try. I have been using it for more than a week now and once got caught in traffic which made a usual 45 minute drive into a 2 hour wait and the temperature never went beyond 95 with the A/C on the whole time. I hardly notice the auxilliary electric fan run in the high mode anyore. The viscous fan clutch seems to lock up at 90 deg when it used to lock up somewhere at 110 - 115 before. I also no longer experience the wide temperature swings of 90 to 110 and down again when the electric fans would kick in. Now my temperature range has been narrowed to 90 to 95 deg.

Thanks to this forum and BongC36 my car has been running cool and so has my blood pressure. This site is the best.

jsmith · #2 10-14-2002, 09:05 AM

well the temps have dropped 20 degrees within a couple of weeks and i suppose fall is really here. for the most part the overheating threads will go away until next summer. i am interested in getting one of these things though. it would be nice if we could get these in at a reasonable price. i heard that in some places like malaysia it is relatively inexpensive compared to the $160 + shipping i got quoted from online distributors.

Lim · #3 10-14-2002, 10:13 PM

Niko

Did you take a look on your old clutch #? Is it Sachs or Behr or MB?

I have a 260E too and I am from Malaysia. My present clutch fan is 103 200 04 22. I have enquired the Sachs fan that BongC36 mentioned, Sachs PN 2100006243 and it is available for only US$75.

However, my regular partshop is advising me to use original MB 103 200 06 22 (avail at FastLane too) clutch fan, as he said is a tropical version (I don't know if it is true, someone care to confirm that??)

The price in Malaysia:

Sachs PN 2100006243 US$75
MB 103 200 06 22 US$79
Behr 103 200 06 22 US$75
MB 103 200 04 22 US$63

jsmith, our local partshop is not so advance to sell online. They usually are cash & carry. Sorry.

I will go for the original MB if someone can tell me the 103 200 06 22 is the tropical version.

Lim

BongC36 · #4 10-15-2002, 12:08 AM

Niko: Yes, that tropical fan clutch really helps. I had no more problems with overheating since I installed it. Even rush-hour EDSA traffic does not faze the car now, and did you notice these 104 engines seems to run stronger when their temps are in the 80's? Mine used to become less peppy at 100+C.

Lim: One sure way to find out whether your existing fan is tropicalized is to test its cut-in temperature. On the SACHS tropical it locks up at around 90C. The OEM clutch (also SACHS btw) used to lock up around 115C! You can test by idling the car and waiting until your temp gauge reads around 110C. You may have to disconnct the aux fan power. Ask a friend to shut it down while observing the fan. If it turns more than one revolution after you shut off the engine then it is free-wheeling and not helping!

#5 10-15-2002, 03:43 AM

Hi Lim,

My old fan clutch was OEM Sachs same with BongC36. This was the first time it was replaced since new. I'll get the original parts number for you.

And BongC36, yup my car feels much stronger when now that it doesn't hit 100+ and the A/C is always cool. Just perfect for Manila traffic. Thanks again.

Nikos

86 260E
96 Galant VR-6
94 Nissan Bluebird
(2) 94 Honda Civic
92 Nissan Sentra