PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post - Noisy Fan/ 180E / 190E/ Air Conditioning problem

Greg in Oz · #2 03-29-2004, 03:34 AM

Peter,

I know exactly the problem you describe. I remember when I owned a 180E for a short time how the engine driven fan roared and sapped precious power from the 1.8 engine. With my current 2.3 the power loss is nowhere near as bad but the fan noise is still a problem. It beats me why the M102 never got the superior viscous clutch fan like the M103 and virtually all other engines.

I addressed part of the problem by swapping the wiring at the temperature switch at the front of the engine (which meant no wiring is cut or spliced). This means that rather than have the electromagnetic fan clutch engage the engine driven fan first at 100 C, my electric fan switches on at this temperature. Should the temperature continue to rise (which it never has), then the engine driven fan will engage at the higher temp (110 C I think). This mod not only avoids the problem of the noisy engine driven fan, but by way of the electric fan provides better engine cooling when idling in traffic on a hot day, something the engine driven fan could not achieve at idle. The electric fan is noisy outside the car but virtually inaudible inside. I have considered the possibility of a further mod whereby the electric fan engages at the (quieter) low speed (as used by the air-con) at 100 C and only uses the high speed should the higher temp ever be reached. I'm sure the low speed would be sufficient for most situations judging by how quickly the high speed pulls the temp down. I just haven't investigated this mod as yet.

I must admit that my mod does not address the problem when using the air-con as you describe. Mine still runs both the electric fan (at low speed) and the engine driven fan when demanded by the air-con. I would be interested to see what you have down with your daughter's 180E. Perhaps it's time you came along to a club meeting or event again, it's been a while. Alternatively we could compare notes at another time, we are only a couple of suburbs apart after all.

Greg