1996 E300D auxiliary fan assembly - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

VW1300 · #1 04-26-2011, 05:38 PM

I had a pre-purchase inspection done by an indy MB mechanic on a '96 E300D I'm considering. Among other things, he reports the auxiliary fan is locked up. He quotes $400 for a new part, 2 hrs labor.

His reputation is sterling, but this seems pricey. I'll take his word that I need a new one - fastline has assembly for $303. How hard is removal/replacement of this assembly? Can someone like me with moderate skills do this?

Otherwise, he reports the car is in very good condition, though there are some less important things that will need to be done over time, but I do need to get the A/C going - it's getting hot here in Houston. By the way, the mechanic was Markus @ K&H ******** near downtown Houston.

Thanks,

TMAllison · #2 04-26-2011, 08:20 PM

The fans are pretty easy. Pull the rad crossmember, the clip on grill, the horn, etc and then unbolt the fans.

On mine, one fan is master and the other a slave driven by a very thin belt. That belt can pop off and bind both fans.

Your's may have two fans with electric motors. Note that some of the cheap chinese replacements are wired so they spin backwards.

Jeremy5848 · #3 04-26-2011, 08:28 PM

My '96 also has two fans but one electric motor. The second fan is slaved to the first, as Terry says, with a thin belt. As purchased, I wondered why only one fan worked on my car, then discovered that the belt had come off. I replaced the belt (bought a new one) and both fans then worked. I agree that you should remove the fan assembly to see if there is some simple problem you can fix yourself.

Jeremy

VW1300 · #4 04-26-2011, 09:35 PM

Thanks. It sounds like a problem I can use to bargain with, and the reality is it's not too bad to fix - although I wish they were cheaper. Will see if I can fix it first, but I'll have to solve it quickly - highs approaching 90F here and we're just getting warmed up.

Other problem with the car is oil level sensor leaking, but I think I can handle that.

TMAllison · #5 04-26-2011, 09:56 PM

The oil level sensor leak is usually just the gasket. Its easy to do if you do it while doing an oil change. Otherwise its a lil messy.

Gasket is probably only available with a new sensor...... Sensor was ~$60 a few years ago when i did mine.

babymog · #6 04-26-2011, 10:07 PM

On the '95 it is two separate fans. You will need to pull the fan brace and the fans will come with it, but it seems that (from memory) the condensor needs to move rearward to make this happen.

Check also for used ones, it is probably the same assembly as the '94/'95 E320.

Jeremy5848 · #7 04-26-2011, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMAllison

The oil level sensor leak is usually just the gasket. Its easy to do if you do it while doing an oil change. Otherwise its a lil messy.

Gasket is probably only available with a new sensor...... Sensor was ~$60 a few years ago when i did mine.

The o-ring is available separately.

nelbur · #8 04-28-2011, 05:26 PM

I believe the fans on your '96 are like the ones I have just replaced on my '97. Mine were indeed locked up. I removed them and freed them up but the ball bearing on the motor was too rough to reinstall. I bought new fans, Chinese knock offs I believe, for $225 from ********.com. Looked just like the originals. They are running fine, but did not run until I charged up my A/C. With the 134a pressure at 25 the fans did not run, but as the pressure came up the fans started cycling, and with the pressure up near 40 they stayed on. I am surprised that my seized fans did not blow a fuse. Not a difficult job as DIY goes.

shoe · #9 04-29-2011, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

The o-ring is available separately.

On 96 it was where the connector came out of the sensor that was leaking. wound up changing the whole thing.

Fans are an easy fix.

VW1300 · #10 04-29-2011, 01:27 PM

Thanks to all who replied - I was outbid on the car though (To recap, a very clean '96 E300D with 121K miles). Dealer told me that last evening another buyer gave him $8500 under the condition he fixes the aux fan. That's more than I was willing to pay, but it's disappointing because it really was nice, and I wanted a '96 for the old transmission and ignition switch, among other things. I also paid $150 for the prepurchase inspection which I'll never get back, but I suppose it's the cost of doing business. The search continues.

bobodaclown · #11 04-29-2011, 02:31 PM

It would stink if you found out it was the guy who did the inspection.