Viscous delete or stay as is

[Scooblitz]

I ran my 2.8i 97' for a while with no coupling and fan without too much issue. Regular airflow over the car is enough.

However....MOT or garages, if the mechanic doesnt know there is no viscous, could overheat on a ramp if sitting running. (yup, happened to me) Traffic, if you get stuck in a long traffic jam, that needle will move towards the red zone after a while. (you guessed it)

Electric fan conversation is doable.

Fancy option is getting a Stewart Motorsport Waterpump and thermostat kit to have higher efficiency. The kit has a thermostat which comes on at a lower temperature and the pump has higher flow for coolant.

Stevie

 

[Dino D]

Fancy option is getting a Stewart Motorsport Waterpump and thermostat kit to have higher efficiency. The kit has a thermostat which comes on at a lower temperature and the pump has higher flow for coolant.

Stevie

mmm interesting- it seems like water pumps are a consumable (on my car anyway).
Remember seeing something about these, probably on Bimmerforums.
Do you think they actually work or just a some bling?

 

[Scooblitz]

mmm interesting- it seems like water pumps are a consumable (on my car anyway).
Remember seeing something about these, probably on Bimmerforums.
Do you think they actually work or just a some bling?

Iirc, the kit was the high flow pump, thermostat, slightly smaller pulley and v-belt to suit.
I'd hazard a guess that the smaller pulley will result in a higher rpm for the pump vs stock rpm. More turns, more flow etc. So in theory it would be better than the stock pump.
Clickety Click Article

Bimmerforums/Bimmerworld is where I had seen this too. I'd suggest for cars that don't see a track that it'd be a bit OTT since the stock cooling works fine.

Your needs are different so worth considering but even with that, how much more (or less) would be gained in cooling efficiency vs x2 electric fans upfront? I don't have the answer to that but considering one of these EMS/Stewart motorsport is £200+, it's up to the wallet to decide.

 

[Duncodin]

Watching wheeler dealers this morning at 4am (dog musta heared something and woke me) so made a cuppa.

Anyway. They're doing a Z3M Coupe. Rear subframe upgrade. But also removing the fan. Coz, he said, the electric one is enough.

He didn't mention aircon. He just said the car has two fans and one is enough.

My question. Does the aircon fan only run if the aircon in on?

 

[Dino D]

Watching wheeler dealers this morning at 4am (dog musta heared something and woke me) so made a cuppa.

Anyway. They're doing a Z3M Coupe. Rear subframe upgrade. But also removing the fan. Coz, he said, the electric one is enough.

He didn't mention aircon. He just said the car has two fans and one is enough.

My question. Does the aircon fan only run if the aircon in on?

Is it a US model?
If not then that’s not smart.

the aircon fan has two modes:
When aircon is on
When water temp hits 90 something C.
It has a sensor on the side of the radiator close to the drivers side headlight (on a 2.8).
That sensor can be replaced with some small modification to the plug with an 88c sensor from a 1.9z

The aircon fan has two speeds - as well and I believe it is high when aircon is on and car stationery and low for cooling the radiator (not sure if it speeds up when water gets hotter than a a certain temp).

 

[Duncodin]

That series of Wheeler Dealers is in the USA.

He did change that sensor in the side of the radiator - lower temperature. also changed the water pump pully/wheel.

I was just wondering though if the aircon was OFF would the aircon fan still kick in if the water temp rose above nF

 

[Dino D]

That series of Wheeler Dealers is in the USA.

He did change that sensor in the side of the radiator - lower temperature. also changed the water pump pully/wheel.

I was just wondering though if the aircon was OFF would the aircon fan still kick in if the water temp rose above nF

Yes the fan kicks in regardless of whether the aircon is on or off - it activates based on the water temp.

 

[t-tony]

Was it a slightly smaller w/pump pulley they fitted?

Tony.

 

[Duncodin]

Was it a slightly smaller w/pump pulley they fitted?

Tony.

Yes. Smaller pully and slightly shorter belt.

One thing I didn't like was how he'd reinforced the rear cross member. He left the old box section in place and welded plates front, back and bottom of it. That would strengthen it but now it's two sheets of steel, old and new, back to back with no gap between. Moisture is going to get in between the sheets and never dry out and can't be waxoyled or anything. Just bare steel that he'd ground back to bare metal prior to welding. A bit like when the cowboys weld a cheap, slightly over-sized, box section over the top of the old rusty one.

 

[Andyboy]

I often find that on high alpine passes, afterIi have taken a quick photo with the engine still running, that the viscous fan cuts in, showing that the aircon fan cannnot keep pace with the high temperature and heat soak from the engine.
I would never dump the viscous fan, as electric fans can also have their problems, so a backup is worth having. A new coupling costs about £75, but an electric fan motor can cost a lot more.

+1

BMW designed it to have a viscous fan, and they didn't fit one for a laugh. My 318ti has a viscous fan and you can hear it cut in and out - the temp gauge needle is still bang centre when it does. These cars have 'damped' temp gauges and when the needle is going over centre, it's already bloody hot. I don't know more than the guys who designed it so I just maintain it in good working order instead.