Fan blades are hitting my lowest belt pulley
 

My 1991 190E 2.6 is experiencing a peculiar problem.

First -- everything works. However, just in the last 3-4 days I have been noticing what I thought was a rattling sound (like inside a chamber / enclosed place). Well, I finally realize and confirm that my fan blades are BARELY ticking against the outside edge of the lowest pulley (water pump?).

It does not ALWAYS do it -- it is somewhat intermittent. Neither the fan or the pulley are loose. I did have the viscous clutch replaced about 4-5 months ago -- this problem has not occurred until this week.

Any ideas?

You could have a few things, one could be the bolt holding the fan on is loose, another the bearing that the fan bolts to is bad . I would ck the bolt and then take a large screwdriver and go between the pulley on the back of the clutch and the housing for the bearing (metal thing right behind it) and gently see if it will move alot. Be sure to ck and make sure the fan isnt hitting the shroud also.:D

Is it possible that the drive belt is making it seem like the bearing is tight? Try loosening the belt and then see if the fan will wobble. Its obvious that something is worn/ loose; they didn't design it that way.

Is your fan hitting the shroud? Mine was, and the cause was failure of both motor mounts.

Based on the description, if the fan was farther out it would not touch the pully. Perhaps the incorrect clutch was used?

It is not hitting the shroud, only just barely nicking the lowest pulley. It is pretty bad at startup and idle, however at higher RPMs it almost completely goes away.

The fan does not feel loose. However, my guess is that it is barely loose and the higher RPMs, due to centrifugal force, makes it spin in a truer circle than at lower rpms.

If the wrong clutch were installed, would it not have occurred immediately after instatallation?

Brookspw,

I am experiencing same problem on my 1990 300E. What did you find out & how did you correct the problem? Thanks

It was the fan bracket. It broke and slowly began to get more and more out of place.

I think the part was like $100 or so. Had him go ahead and change belts while he was in there.

Thanks. I will try to check the bracket.

Could anybody give me steps and tools required to replace the fan bracket?