I have a 1987 300sdl. the fan clutch doesn't seem to be working like it should so I will need to replace it and they are expensive. For the price of a quality fan clutch it looks like I could put in electric fan/s. I'm just trying to gather opinions on this modification.......is this kind of like what's your favorite oil I definitely don't want to get into that argument 😂😂😂

Just looking for real world experience from people who have actually replace their mechanical fan with electric thanks

Chuck

7 years and counting on E fan only cooling my 87 300D. My om603 never exceeds 90c.

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I like hearing that you're having success with electric fans! do you have any fan recommendations or specific ways to go about this transformation?

Thanks
Chuck

Also t how are you comtrollin the electri fan speed and what tells it when to run?

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Jim

Hi Chuck,

Sent ya a PM about OM603 e-fans.

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1983 300D Midnight Blue
4 speed, W115 intake mani, non-EGR exhaust mani, KKK K26, 3 pc Euro bumpers, Lo-spec Euro headlights, AL129X, hubcaps, custom A/C

1987 300TD Smoke Silver
Euro headlights, thermostat relocation, coolant bypass mod, rebuilt Becker + Jehnert + Helix audio, OEM Oris roof boxes and surfboard racks, Euro towbar

1983 300TD Reed (Moss) Green / Dark Olive MB Tex Euro spec

1983 300TD Silver Blue / Blue cloth Euro spec, OM648 and 722.6, 15" hubcaps, W126 S2 brakes

On a non-mercedes I had had the wiring on the coolant fan short and burned the fuse and the resulting overheating caused the plastic radiator tank to split 6 inches dump out the coolant.
It is a front wheel drive so there is no mechanical fan at all.

The above is one of the risk factors if you only have an Electric Cooling Fan.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

A pusher electric with a proper clutch fan is the best method. If it runs hot with those in working order, something else has failed.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/3813757-post15.html
I used a BMW fans switch in the head to switch on the fans. I think 87c (it's been a while) along with a backup switch in the dash. Also have an input from the AC clutch so the fans are on any time the clutch is engaged. I ditched the pusher fan in front of the condenser. Prior to this I was only using a combination of pusher and puller E fans. The Prius pullers are more than enough.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/3814320-post20.html

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The viscous fan moves a lot of air when it hooks up...3000 cfm is likely peak output. There are electrics that can move this much air, but they draw a ton of current. So you may end up having to consider an alternator upgrade.

To control the fan, there are a series of 22mm bungs in the water jacket along the left side of the head. This happens to be a standard size for fan switches. So switches from VW's, Porsche's, Alfa's, Jags will drop in. Add a suitable relay, and you're in business. I always have them on hand in 75C and 85C temp ranges, if you can't find them elsewhere.

The front mounted fan should be retained, as it adds airflow when the A/C starts chugging.

So what is the advantage/disadvantage of an electric? A mechanical fan is a power hog. It's like a boat anchor on your engine. And the horsepower it consumes increases with the cube of engine speed. That's why the clutch is crucial, it disengages the fan when the engine revs above a certain RPM.

An electric fan also acts as an engine brake, but indirectly. The current it draws causes the engine to work harder to turn the alternator. The advantage is the draw is independent of engine speed. But this is also a disadvantage. When the engine is turning at low RPM, it still has to work harder to power the fan. To offset this problem, modern cars with big electric fans use proportional controllers. The problem with a retrofit is that aftermarket proportional controllers are crap as a class, and the OE quality stuff is expensive.

I thought about this many times, and always came back to restoring the stock system.

Thanks for the replys!
I decided to buy a FF dynamics fan set up from a member here.

On a side note....I am considering making some coolant route mods. Relocate t-stat to top rad hose and add bypass hose from old t-stat housing to drain plug on block

You could just fix it.

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1999 Mercedes E300TD daily driver sold at 238K miles 106K miles were mine, rust worm got it :-(
2006 Mercedes CDI new daily driver! 56,000 miles May 2016 now 85,625 Apr 2018 and Apr 2019 101,000 miles Apr 2020 109,875. March 2024 135,250

By " just fix it" what are you saying?

Even a perfectly functioning clutch fan will never move as much air through the radiator as a properly setup electric puller fan. These engines run hot at idle and low RPM/high load.the viscous clutch fan is inadequate for our climate.

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You restore to original operating condition with the addition of $8 of Silicone Differential Fluid 10,000 cSt and a bit of your labor.

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1999 Mercedes E300TD daily driver sold at 238K miles 106K miles were mine, rust worm got it :-(
2006 Mercedes CDI new daily driver! 56,000 miles May 2016 now 85,625 Apr 2018 and Apr 2019 101,000 miles Apr 2020 109,875. March 2024 135,250

The fix worked very well for me.

I can't speak to a 1987 300sdl but I have taken a 1999 E300 turbodiesel from Yosemite Valley to Las Vegas going through the heart of Death Valley. The outside air temperature never went over 49.5 C which is 121 F Ran it with the air conditioning on high and it cooled the interior.

I so wanted to see 50C but after running for an hour and a half at 49.5 it never hit 50C. I wonder if the gauge is pinned at the maximum at 49.5C and 50C is not possible.

There were multiple hills with the warning to shut off A/C or risk over heating. I ignored them and watched the coolant temperature. Only on one long hill did the coolant temperature rise over 100 and I shut the a/c off for a minute till cresting the hill.

Either drove at the speed limit or 10 to 15 over it. Stopped at the lowest point in Death Valley and a couple of other places, even in stop and go on the Vegas strip the coolant didn't go over 100C.

I am frugal and handy with my hands and if you are also, then I would recommend you try adding some fluid

This fix is not my idea I googled it and found it on the web. Others have led the way before me.

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1999 Mercedes E300TD daily driver sold at 238K miles 106K miles were mine, rust worm got it :-(
2006 Mercedes CDI new daily driver! 56,000 miles May 2016 now 85,625 Apr 2018 and Apr 2019 101,000 miles Apr 2020 109,875. March 2024 135,250