E300TD Viscous Fan

[230K]

Hi

Just wondering what you all think about this one, I need a viscous fan for my E300TD and MB want £204 for the part but i can get one from USA for $125 (about £70).
http://replacement.mbpartswarehouse...ory=G&part=Fan Clutch&returnurl=null&dp=false
I always use genuine parts on the car but i am tempted. Car needs to be reliable for European trips etc.

Thoughts please,

230K

 

[Ian B Walker]

Seems ok to me but be aware that you will have import duty and VaT to pay so the OEM part may work out the same.

 

[grober]

Sachs Online Catalogue

HAVE A LOOK AT THE ENGLISH VERSION OF THE SACHS CATALOGUE.
http://webcat.zf-trading.com/index.asp?SPR=4

DETAIL;- radiator fan clutch For E300 turbo-D (210.025)
MERC PART NO 606 200 01 22

SACHS no:- 2100 024 032 parameter VL 121R

contact details
SACHS / LEMFOERDER / BOGE / ZF TRADING
ZF Trading UK Ltd
Eldon Way Crick Industrial Estate
Crick Northamptonshire NN6 7SL
Tel: +44/1788-82 23 53
Fax: +44/1788-82 38 29
E-Mail: [email protected]
Homepage: www.zf-trading.co.uk

you could also try here http://www.speed-autoteile.com/
they do sachs and a febi bilstein one but are based in Germany

 

[Dieselman]

Sachs-Boge won't sell directly to the public but will point you in the direction of a motor factor who can.

I believe a member, Jimmy has an account with Sachs.

Stick with the OEM part as it has worked well for a long time so the replacement will also.

 

[Parrot of Doom]

I'm sure I read somewhere that the viscous coupling is a completely different design now (better), and is a swine to change over.

 

[grober]

It is VERY IMPORTANT to store a fan viscous coupling unit in a VERTICAL POSITION between buying it and its install in the car. Something to do with fluid leaking into parts of the mechanism it shouldn't .

 

[Dieselman]

If the car has air conditioning with the two fans in front of the radiator is the viscous fan really required at all?
I would try it without one as the electric fans should stop any overheating anyway.

 

[Parrot of Doom]

I don't know Dieselman, its extremely tight between that rad and the engine. I think the front of the engine, especially the belt, would get very hot without the fan there, there would be no airflow without it.

 

[230K]

If the car has air conditioning with the two fans in front of the radiator is the viscous fan really required at all?
I would try it without one as the electric fans should stop any overheating anyway.

Electric fan on mine doesent kick in until she is very hot and goes at variable speed depending on how much its needed, only ever managed to see one of them going and that was with aircon on.

Anyone know when each of the 2 electric fans are to kick in??



230K

 

[Dieselman]

Electric fan on mine doesent kick in until she is very hot and goes at variable speed depending on how much its needed, only ever managed to see one of them going and that was with aircon on.

Anyone know when each of the 2 electric fans are to kick in??



230K

They go together, one has the motor the other is driven by a belt as a slave.

Even if they operate when hot it is still well below the boiling point and they can handle the full cooling required otherwise they wouldn't work.

 

[230K]

Hi

Found the belt lying in at front of fan must have come off. Thanks Dieselman.

230K

 

[Dieselman]

I don't know Dieselman, its extremely tight between that rad and the engine. I think the front of the engine, especially the belt, would get very hot without the fan there, there would be no airflow without it.

Hmm..
Where is the heat coming from, the radiator or the engine? The local area can't get hotter than the engine which is about 80c and if it does the auxillary fans will kick in anyway.
If cars need a viscous fan how do the later ones without a viscous fan cool and all transverse mount engines?

 

[LastMinute]

I thought the condenser fan is for the refrigerant, and the main fan for the engine coolant. Their temperatures are largely independent; their cooling systems just happen to be in the same place.

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Hmm..
Where is the heat coming from, the radiator or the engine? The local area can't get hotter than the engine which is about 80c and if it does the auxillary fans will kick in anyway.
If cars need a viscous fan how do the later ones without a viscous fan cool and all transverse mount engines?

I agree, my line of thought was that while the coolant can keep the engine block relatively cool, its still good to circulate air around the engine so you don't get hotspots, particularly at the front where theres a fair old bit of rubber and plastic.

 

[Dieselman]

I thought the condenser fan is for the refrigerant, and the main fan for the engine coolant. Their temperatures are largely independent; their cooling systems just happen to be in the same place.

IIRC the auxillary fans work as a function of refigerant pressure and engine temperature and will come on in high temperatures irrespective of the aircon being on or off.