350SD - Fan Clutch Fell Off, Destroyed Radiator - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JHZR2 · #1 08-06-2023, 07:56 PM

I put in a Chinese fan clutch from ********. Yes I should have bought the 11 blade plastic fan and 606 clutch… I thought the image of the one I got from RA was an OEM unit. Turned out it was Chinese and not worth the cost to return.

Car ram fine but temps would creep up to around 100 in traffic with AC on.

Replacement clutch kept temps solid at just above 80, in 95 heat with ac blasting. But it also sounded like it was always engaged.

I drove it a few hundred miles, was on the interstate today, and heard a clang noise. Saw something fly up in rearview. Thought I drove over something. Turns out it was a piece of my fan blade. I think the bearing on the clutch failed. The clutch never was off. Sounded like a truck driving along, but it kept things real cool. I can’t turn the bearing at all on the clutch.

I watched gauges and needle started heading up. Got stopped safely on the side of the road and engine off before it hit 100c mark. Still not happy. Don’t need any thermal stress on a rod bender 603.

Car starts fine. Idles perfect. Obviously need a new radiator, either a pull from an 86/87/90/91, or a Chinese all aluminum one. Doesn’t look like OE/Bebe/Nissens is available. Does anyone know of an alternate?

What’s the chance that my engine sustained damage? I’m sure the abrupt shutdown isn’t good for my turbo, but I’m more concerned about the head and HG. I doubt I went a mile. It took a few seconds to recognize what was going on, but it was not enough time for the needle to creep up much, and the sensor in these cars is at the high point which tends to get a hard to remove air bubble when servicing the system. So everyplace else likely stayed cooler. Knocking on wood…

So, where to source a radiator???

When I pull it and do the AT cooler hoses, does anyone know how much ATF comes out? I recently serviced the AT and would prefer to not replace it all.

Sugar Bear · #2 08-06-2023, 09:13 PM

Engine is very likely ok.

ATF amount? Not much, raising the front of the car and aiming the hoses upward after disconnecting them helps. Cap the hoses to keep dirt out.

Rad source? Don't know.

JHZR2 · #3 08-06-2023, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugar Bear

Engine is very likely ok.

ATF amount? Not much, raising the front of the car and aiming the hoses upward after disconnecting them helps. Cap the hoses to keep dirt out.

Rad source? Don't know.

Thanks. I’ll probably change those hoses while it’s out.

I appreciate your PM as well. Thanks!

Sugar Bear · #4 08-06-2023, 10:30 PM

The transmission cooler hoses are often seized onto the radiator. If you can get new hoses disconnect them at the line end not the radiator transmission cooler and then pull the radiator with the hoses connected to it.