2000 328i fan clutch exploded

[Walshfactor]

My son's fan clutch just went off like a grenade. Part of the shrapnel went through the hood and some went into the radiator and overflow as well as put a hole in the trans oil cooler. I have never had this type of problem before, so my question is is there any maintenance to be done on the fan clutch in the future?? Thanks

[thejlevie]

Was it the fan clutch, or the fan, or both? If just fan I'd suspect prior mechanical damage to the fan, a thrown belt that damaged the fan, a seized fan clutch, or bad water pump.

[Walshfactor]

My suspicion is that part of the fan must have gone first? The back half of the clutch is still attached to the water pump pulley which still turns. But while I'm in there I'm going to replace the water pump as well. Do you know if the oil cooler connectors are a one time deal or will they come off with a tool? (Other than a hack saw, haha) Thanks

[pbonsalb]

Water pump could have failed or the motor mounts could have failed, and allowed the fan blade to contact the shroud. Then a fan blade breaks off and the fan is imbalanced. The imbalanced fan will eventually fail.

You are not the first. Regular maintenance with some expert input is recommended on older cars.

[02325]

I have seen a few do this, most were do to waterpump failure.

[Flak]

Metal impeller water pump upgrade is a possible solution to the problem if the pump failed, causing the fan to blow up. The plastic blades just get more brittle after time, the engine mounts could have failed, allowing it to move too much and causing the fan to strike the radiator.

I upgraded to a metal pump and did an electric fan conversion to eliminate all of these problems.

[Cattani]

My dad's 94 5 series had the same thing happen......punched a hole right through the hood!

[uly535i]

dayum, i agree with most people here, water pump just gave up causing everything attached to it to go as well. Never seen it go through a hood though like Cattani, sounds kinda rad to see lol

[hellrot3]

can't be just the fan, I went through 2 fans within a month, I changed my clutch, will have to wait to see how that works out, if it happens again. New water pump and motor mounts are on their way.

[Walshfactor]

Awesome feedback from everyone. I didn't consider the motor mounts as a culprit...that I'll check as well. My last question here regards the oil cooler fittings. Are they a one time deal or do they come apart somehow?