Is an electric fan worth the money?

[Jackcat559]

electric fan from the m54 Z4

http://bmwfans.info/original/E85/roa...7/ill-17_0139/

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/images/...4%20Engine.pdf

[Jason5driver]

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...&siteid=214672

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...&siteid=214672

[5mall5nail5]

I like to err on the side of caution and picked up a fan that moves 2000cfm.

You can over do it - trust me. Not only can you over cool the engine, if its a straight blade fan it will be loud as SHIT. I have a 2700 CFM fan on my car and it sounds like a hovercraft. Additionally, the power requirement for my fan is huge like 30 - 40 amps. Thats a lot. But, I don't have any other fan and my fan is in front of my 4" intercooler... so I needed as much as I could get. That fan combined with my lower temp t-stat, my car never actually reaches the halfway point - just a few ticks under (about 168 - 174F)

[jerkstore]

electric fan from the m54 Z4

http://bmwfans.info/original/E85/roa...7/ill-17_0139/

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/images/...4%20Engine.pdf

will that shroud work on my M62 radiator?

[Jackcat559]

Don't know. I just happened upon this info last week by accident, and thought it might help someone.

[BenPRunkle]

electric fan from the m54 Z4

http://bmwfans.info/original/E85/roa...7/ill-17_0139/

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/images/...4%20Engine.pdf

The 2004 530i also has the M54 engine and it also uses an electric fan. . . but the expansion tanks are different i believe. . . somebody needs to figure out a super clean install for this and then do a DIY.

[Michael Star]

You can over do it - trust me. Not only can you over cool the engine, if its a straight blade fan it will be loud as SHIT. I have a 2700 CFM fan on my car and it sounds like a hovercraft. Additionally, the power requirement for my fan is huge like 30 - 40 amps. Thats a lot. But, I don't have any other fan and my fan is in front of my 4" intercooler... so I needed as much as I could get. That fan combined with my lower temp t-stat, my car never actually reaches the halfway point - just a few ticks under (about 168 - 174F)

Well, you forget that when you remove the v8's clutch fan, at stop there will be no kind of cooling at all, unless one of the fans kick on. And 2000cfm for a v8 really isn't all that big. I had to run a larger one on a straight 6 due to the heat it put out.

[BlackSapphire]

somebody needs to figure out a super clean install for this and then do a DIY.

That somebody is YOU!!!!!!!

[BenPRunkle]

That somebody is YOU!!!!!!!

HAHA apparently . . . give me 6 months to a year and I will have something for you.

[Camarok]

Well, you forget that when you remove the v8's clutch fan, at stop there will be no kind of cooling at all, unless one of the fans kick on. And 2000cfm for a v8 really isn't all that big. I had to run a larger one on a straight 6 due to the heat it put out.

There are alot of cars that aren't clutch based fans that get no cooling when stopped, more than not..... There is also the backup aux fan that will come on if needed, and if it's hot enough the fan kicks on anyway if wired correctly. Does the I-6 have the aux fan as well?

On a side note, I think I'm getting a new Rad, Expanding tank, and electric fan... should be good for a few miles afte that...anything else.... Should I really get a new pump too? Having a hard time finding a alum one for the v8... thought I found one but can't find it and didin't bookmark the page...

[Michael Star]

Yes but those cars are designed differently from a cooling standpoint. Do you think BMW just added the clutch fan for kicks? Also, I would never count on the aux fan to keep my car running cool. There are plently of failures for them (due to leaves), it is a pusher fan, and is it really up to keeping the motor cool? Or to serve as a secondary fan when you turn the a/c on?

[Camarok]

I understand that totally, but if you have the pusher and the aftermarket 12v fan I don't see what the problem would be. I don't know the reason BMW put the clutch fan in for kicks, are the new ( 2009 ) cars clutch fan cooled or no? Just curious, I know it was engineered for kicks it had a point. I do also notice you live in a warmer climate as I do, so I can see how that might have an effect on the cooling system. I've read success stories, I've seen possible problems. Judging by where I live and what can be done I think I'm gonna do this. Thanks for the insite though

[BenPRunkle]

For somebody more knowledgeable than I am. . .

All the engines are M54, but the e39 is the only one that doesn't use an electric fan.

For e39 530i - notice this is the only M54 that has the auxiliary water pump. Has expansion tank on the passenger side. Number 4 in this diagram is the "TEMPERATURE SENSOR" part#13621433077. Can this be tapped into for the auxiliary fan?


For e85 Z4 - notice this is just like the e39 except that it has no auxiliary water pump



For e60 530i - slightly different connections than the Z4 still no auxiliary water pump


Why did BMW remove the auxiliary pump from other M54 engines? Do you think its practical to switch from the e39 setup to one of the others? What about that "TEMPERATURE SENSOR" in the e39 diagram? Ideas?

[BenPRunkle]

bump

[5mall5nail5]

The E39 uses a mechanical fan because its cheaper and it has room for it. It also likely has a secondary water pump because the heater core is probably larger or the distance between the outlet of the head and the heater core is further.

why are you set on using an electric fan?

[Jackcat559]

The space issues are pretty much the same between the e39 & e85 m54.

Maybe just a new engineer redesigned the system.

[BenPRunkle]

Just been thinking of taking the extra weight of the water pump since I am about to replace it.

Also heard it helps the engine rev a little more freely and thinking of also doing underdrive pulleys.

Just a bunch of little things that could possibly add up to difference.

Its proving to be more of a headache than it is probably worth. I want a very clean, easy, and affordable swap. Finding something that is all three has been hard so far.

[5mall5nail5]

It is a headache - you have to mount it and shroud it. The factory mechanical fan more than likely moves more air than any electric fan could without being ridiculously loud. I should get a sound clip of my 2700 CFM one, its like people start looking up when I hit it. Its loud but necessary. I would forget the whole thing personally - you will need a thermoswitch or manual switch, mounting, shrouding, probably a slightly cooler thermostat...

[bags]

It is a headache - you have to mount it and shroud it. The factory mechanical fan more than likely moves more air than any electric fan could without being ridiculously loud. I should get a sound clip of my 2700 CFM one, its like people start looking up when I hit it. Its loud but necessary. I would forget the whole thing personally - you will need a thermoswitch or manual switch, mounting, shrouding, probably a slightly cooler thermostat...

I disagree.......

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1183538

[Jason5driver]

Black Sapphire's Zionsville install:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=774698

A little write-up done by 6shot with his 525i:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1129106