Unpacked new facn clutch- IT IS URO! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

werminghausen · #1 02-27-2013, 11:28 AM

Please look at this picture:
I am very suspicious because I think that URO should be banned.
I bought this in the US.
The original Behr fan clutch I have tweaked and I am still not sure if it works properly.
So the new one has the spiral in the center instead of the flat bimetal strip. I guess a revised bi-metal design?
Have you ever seen this design? Would you install this thing?
I'll attach 2 pics of URO.
Martin

Marrs · #2 02-27-2013, 07:56 PM

I hate to say it but I probably wouldn't install it in my car simply based on a perception that their quality suffers on other products as claimed by other posters. It's kinda like going to buy a used car, if they use cheap plugs or coolant, what else did they skimp out on? I have no idea about the design change.

LandYaghtLover · #3 02-27-2013, 08:05 PM

Confused. What brand did you intend to buy? I mean, if you bought URO then of course its a URO.

Palolo · #4 02-27-2013, 08:41 PM

The manufacturer isn't always revealed/known, and sometimes the part is made for a "manufacturer" by yet another once-removed manufacturer. The URO part may have been horse-traded and ended up just being labeled as the part without the makers info being shown.

This is sort of like buying a frozen lasagna in Europe right now. If you go for the deal of the day, you might get horse meat. If you go to a well known supplier and pay a little more, the chances of getting a steak with whip marks is far less.

werminghausen · #5 02-27-2013, 09:38 PM

I bought the part on the basis of the product picture that looked identical to the part (I think Behr) that I have in the car. When I unpacked I saw this design and URO on the box...no name on the product itself.
Maybe I'll try it out on the car (as I can't return it anyhow) and see what temperatures and sounds do for me.
Long term I'll change to the original design.
Martin

dirtyharry · #6 02-27-2013, 09:47 PM

I've seen that design before, my W110 had a fan clutch with a circular spring like that on it, you should be able to test it with a hairdryer or something similar, to see if it tightens? I assume the white paint is b/c it passed its inspection? if you like I will mail you my M116 fan clutch, not sure how much play it has but I dont need it, I'll take a closer look at it if you're interested.

werminghausen · #7 02-27-2013, 09:54 PM

How old is the clutch? Check out postage for Oman! Could be send by cheap slow mail....no rush.

Can't Know · #8 02-28-2013, 12:14 AM

URO is junk. Their cosmetic parts are useful (such as the silly antenna tip and gasket kit for the 208/210), but for a functional part I would never recommend nor use them.

At best, you'll be replacing the part prematurely. On a car used for pleasure only and perhaps a thousand miles a year, maybe you chance it depending on the part and the potential for collateral damage.

When you consider the potential for catastrophic failure and the resulting collateral damage of a fan clutch failure, that's not a place I'd be willing to roll the dice.

Good luck.

LandYaghtLover · #9 02-28-2013, 01:24 AM

Even for cosmetic, they fail. My grille insert is deteriorating after just a year of use. its painted now since it faded to an ultra light color too. The paint may help protect it.

werminghausen · #10 02-28-2013, 08:00 AM

Installed the URO clutch this morning. Now again I get a hauling noise at higher speeds (I had the same with my tweaked old Behr clutch and thought this is not right. I don't need to drive the car with a propeller...but maybe it is how it should be?
Martin

Tomguy · #11 02-28-2013, 02:48 PM

How warm is it in Oman? It's always possible it's TOO warm so your fan stays engaged on the highways due to the temps. It shouldn't - but I suppose it's a possibility. Does it disengage when cold on the highway (best way to check in Oman I guess would be to start up after sitting 6+ hours and go straight on the highway to hear if it sounds loud still).

Marrs · #12 02-28-2013, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by werminghausen

Installed the URO clutch this morning. Now again I get a hauling noise at higher speeds (I had the same with my tweaked old Behr clutch and thought this is not right. I don't need to drive the car with a propeller...but maybe it is how it should be?
Martin

You shouldn't be hearing anything like a "propeller" which I know is an exaggeration but these cars are relatively quiet. I think electric fans are louder in modern cars actually. Maybe this wasn't the cause of the sounds and the original culprit remains?

LandYaghtLover · #13 02-28-2013, 04:19 PM

I dont know the engine layout, but is there any chance it gently scraping the shroud?

werminghausen · #14 03-01-2013, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tomguy

How warm is it in Oman? It's always possible it's TOO warm so your fan stays engaged on the highways due to the temps. It shouldn't - but I suppose it's a possibility. Does it disengage when cold on the highway (best way to check in Oman I guess would be to start up after sitting 6+ hours and go straight on the highway to hear if it sounds loud still).

Hi Tomguy...it is quite cold these days ...around 90 during the day.
I need to further test this new clutch and see how it behaves.
I just don't like the propeller sound.