E46 M3 viscous to electrical swap

[SDAYA]

Hi guys

Not sure if this has been posted yet but I'm using Tapatalk on my phone and it's not easy to search stuff.

So over the weekend a few of my blades kinda broke off my fan and wondered why the car was vibrating badly - glad nothing got ruined and was able to drive to my friend who maintains my car.

Will this be possible to change the viscous blade to electrical.

I need to know where can I get an electrical fan to swap out the viscous and the mechanical fan.

Any info will be appreciated

Thanks


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[ZaynM]

Hi, I do believe that the automatics use the viscous, while the manuals have the electric.

So you would need everything from a manual car as far as parts are concerned. How this connects to the car electronically, I have no idea. Maybe someone else more knowledgeable can assist.

Hope this helps.

 

[Captain_Stealth]

You will need a relay and fans you can get from mr turbo. Not sure how it wires up but I am sure it's the same as the e36. Also I think the fan size u need is 16"


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[AdiS]

If it's just the fan blade that needs replacing, it's actually quite reasonably
Priced
From the dealer.. and a whole lot less effort than the conversion.

 

[SDAYA]

Hi, I do believe that the automatics use the viscous, while the manuals have the electric.

So you would need everything from a manual car as far as parts are concerned. How this connects to the car electronically, I have no idea. Maybe someone else more knowledgeable can assist.

Hope this helps.

My car is manual.

When I did some research I think that apparently only applies to the non M's
Unless it's different here in SA?

You will need a relay and fans you can get from mr turbo. Not sure how it wires up but I am sure it's the same as the e36. Also I think the fan size u need is 16"

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Thanks bud will have a look at that

If it's just the fan blade that needs replacing, it's actually quite reasonably
Priced
From the dealer.. and a whole lot less effort than the conversion.

I've read how the fan could cause possible damages to the car so I was lucky.

Also responses are positive when switching over.

Might as well try doing the conversion now anyways to avoid any issues.

I've read the aux fan is good enough but not sure how it works other than turning the a/c on...



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[AdiS]

Well if your original lasted this long, and you got off lucky when it failed, I don't really see the point in going to all the effort of converting.

 

[SDAYA]

Well if your original lasted this long, and you got off lucky when it failed, I don't really see the point in going to all the effort of converting.

What if I'm not lucky next time?

Wouldn't the costs be much higher than doing the actual conversion?

I've seen seen an ad on gumtree selling a radiator for 5K

G-drive has an electrical fan for 2.5K but not for the S54 which is the problem


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[AdiS]

It's not like they fail every two years, I'm fairly sure replacing it once every 100 000km is enough. All the cited failures online relate to the original part after several years of driving

 

[SDAYA]

It's not like they fail every two years, I'm fairly sure replacing it once every 100 000km is enough. All the cited failures online relate to the original part after several years of driving

Do you know how much a replacement fan would be?


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[AdiS]

I think mine was 900 from a dealer last year. Can't remember exactly.

 

[SDAYA]

I think mine was 900 from a dealer last year. Can't remember exactly.

Did yours break before you changed it or did you replace it just as peace of mind?


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[Gizmo]

For peace of mind I would suggest u replace your water pump at the same time as replacing your fan blade as the uneven spinning fan would put alot of strain on the water pump bearing.
Stay with the viscous Dan on the m3, don't convert to electric only.

 

[SDAYA]

For peace of mind I would suggest u replace your water pump at the same time as replacing your fan blade as the uneven spinning fan would put alot of strain on the water pump bearing.
Stay with the viscous Dan on the m3, don't convert to electric only.

Thank you

Can I not just replace bearings? Or do I have to replace the entire unit?


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[Captain_Stealth]

If I was you I would convert the current fan is a leach


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[SDAYA]

If I was you I would convert the current fan is a leach


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Convert to electric?


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[Captain_Stealth]

Yes


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[SDAYA]

Yes


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Do you have any info on where I can get an electric fan that's plug and play?


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[Captain_Stealth]

U will need to wire it in. No plug and play


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[SDAYA]

U will need to wire it in. No plug and play


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For now I'll just replace the mech fan until I find someone to do it


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[ecKARd]

If I understood correctly Andy1 suggested just removing the fan completely?