M103 fan clutch on my M603! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Hit Man X · #1 02-16-2006, 10:08 PM

Yes it is true, a 300E style fan clutch will work on the 603 motor.

I just installed mine finally today here and it works as expected. Now the only catch may be that I have the updated plastic fan but I do not see the older metal fan not working with the 103 clutch. Someone will need to try this, if I can remember I'll take the metal fan from my parts car sometime and try it with my dead M103 clutch out in the garage.

You may ask why I chose to do this? Well after research both lock up at the same temp (~100°C) and the biggest factor is cost. M103 clutches are around $100 less than just the new 603 clutch. That's a big difference.

Just an FYI to all 603 owners.

dieseldiehard · #2 02-17-2006, 01:26 PM

Now you tell us! I just replaced mine with a new Behr

I wanted to avoid going to the higher temp the new thermo clutch runs at, as Brian thinks it was done to decrease emissions, besides I would need a new plastic fan to go with it, so I ordered the replacement just a few weeks ago and recently installed it.
Oh well.

Hit Man X · #3 02-17-2006, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieseldiehard

Now you tell us! I just replaced mine with a new Behr

I wanted to avoid going to the higher temp the new thermo clutch runs at, as Brian thinks it was done to decrease emissions, besides I would need a new plastic fan to go with it, so I ordered the replacement just a few weeks ago and recently installed it.
Oh well.

I didn't want to say anything until I was certain it would work.

mdisav · #4 02-20-2006, 07:55 PM

Are you sure the blades run the same way as the original metal one? If not you better swap just the blade. I thought I remember having to after getting a 103 from a yard.

Hit Man X · #5 02-20-2006, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdisav

Are you sure the blades run the same way as the original metal one? If not you better swap just the blade. I thought I remember having to after getting a 103 from a yard.

I have the updated 603 plastic fan with the 300E clutch. It's stamped Fwd/Back on the plastic fan.

Vehicle sat running for over 30min on Sat when I picked up a BMW and no cooling problems at all. Sits just a hair over 80°C

mdisav · #6 02-20-2006, 10:12 PM

Cool! I must have had the older style plastic blade.

Hit Man X · #7 02-20-2006, 10:49 PM

Plastic diesel fans are the updated ones, the early style was metal.

mdisav · #8 02-21-2006, 08:44 AM

Yeap. My 99 has the plastic fan. When I replaced the fan on my 87 with the 103 clutch fan, I took it off an 86 300E that had a plastic fan with the blades going the other way. I just put my old metal one on the new clutch.