93 400e Fan Clutch Debacle - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

SirTweakAlot · #1 11-01-2009, 08:59 PM

I'm replacing the fan clutch, thermostat & serpentine belt on my 93 400E.
The fan clutch is from Hamburg Technic via Deutsche Parts on eBay.I paid $130 shipped for it and that seemed like a good deal. It appears to look quite a bit different than the OEM though I haven't pulled the old one to verify yet. I'd like to avoid the rather pricey $569 unit from the dealer.

Has anyone installed this brand of fan clutch?

sptt · #2 11-02-2009, 01:03 AM

Most of the replacements are thicker than the originals but as long as the three bolt patterns line up on the fan you should be OK. I replaced mine with a $75 Autozone one and it works perfect. However, it is much thicker front to back but still fits.

SirTweakAlot · #3 11-02-2009, 04:32 AM

well. I can cross my fingers and dive in but the V8 in the W124 body is a tight squeeze. I'd hate to be without a vehicle for a week while I wait for a another part should this not fit.
Was your fan clutch done on a W124?

sptt · #4 11-03-2009, 03:13 AM

Yes. I had to take out the fan shroud which comes out easily but twisting the round part of the shroud and pushing forward over the fan. Then, unclip the shroud from the radiator. Should be 2 clips on the top left and right. Remove that up and out. Then pull the round part of the shroud back over the fan blade and up and out. You'll only have about 2" of clearance between the fan clutch and the radiator. You'll need to get a short alan head socket if you use a socket wrench but a special tool like a serpentine belt pulley remover will fit in their better and let you unscrew the bolt almost all the way out before using fingers. I didn't do that and had to unscrew it 3/4 of the way out after I had loosened it due to lack of clearance. You'll also need to get a special tool to hold the fan pulley from the back or it will spin. I made my own out of a long piece of stiff rod. The tools they give you at the auto shops don't work because they don't fit on the backside of the fan clutch in between the pulley. It only took me 10 minutes to swap it out once I knew what to use and how to do it.

SirTweakAlot · #5 11-04-2009, 04:52 AM

my two piece fan shroud was cracked, missing a chunk on the passenger side and zip tied together and onto the radiator by PO. So I junked it and now am rolling with a new fan clutch and belt but no shroud.Does anyone know if 300E and 400Es use the same shroud?

Cal Learner · #6 11-04-2009, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirTweakAlot

my two piece fan shroud was cracked, missing a chunk on the passenger side and zip tied together and onto the radiator by PO. So I junked it and now am rolling with a new fan clutch and belt but no shroud.Does anyone know if 300E and 400Es use the same shroud?

No, not the same. 300e uses a one-piece shroud. Here's what you're looking for:

Upper: 124-500-12-55
Lower: 124-500-13-55

sptt · #7 11-05-2009, 11:52 PM

Not correct. My 300E has a 2 part fan shroud. a circular piece that twists off, slips over the fan, and the square portion which clips to the radiator and pulls straight up to remove. Is this refered to as a one part fan shroud?

Cal Learner · #8 11-06-2009, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sptt

Not correct. My 300E has a 2 part fan shroud. a circular piece that twists off, slips over the fan, and the square portion which clips to the radiator and pulls straight up to remove. Is this refered to as a one part fan shroud?

That's a surprise, because the EPC doesn't show a two-part shroud for any model year of the 124 chassis with either the M103 or M104 (IL6) motors. Not sedans, coupes or wagons, gas or diesel, turbo or non. But both of the M119 motors (V8s) had split shrouds. Still, if you say your 300E has a split shroud, I stand corrected. Anyone else have one of these 300Es?

sptt · #9 11-06-2009, 11:17 PM

Cal,

I don't think it is a "split" shroud". It has two pieces to it but not a top and bottom. More like a front and back. The front is a ring that twists off and goes over the fan temporarily. The back is clipped to the front of the car on the radiator mount and lifts straight out. Then you can pull the ring part back over the fan and up and out. So, it is 2 pieces but not a top and bottom half. Hope that helps clarify.

Steve