DIY: Aux/mechanical fan to electric fan swap

I got a couple questions about necessity of removing driver's side headlight (on pics). It is not necessary to remove it I removed it just because I did something else with it.

Did the swap yesterday, whole thing was a breeze, took about an hour, that included running to the store to get a socket adapter to remove the bumper.

One question I have however, what, if any, is the downside of not putting the plastic shroud back on? The piece that covered the original Aux Fax in front of the radiator.

Thanks for all the write-ups and pics.

Does anyone know what that little box (small connector goes to it) does that is clipped to the top of the fan housing?

Originally Posted by n2siast

Did the swap yesterday, whole thing was a breeze, took about an hour, that included running to the store to get a socket adapter to remove the bumper.

One question I have however, what, if any, is the downside of not putting the plastic shroud back on? The piece that covered the original Aux Fax in front of the radiator.

Thanks for all the write-ups and pics.

The old shroud is not needed once you put the new fan in.

Originally Posted by dino71

Does anyone know what that little box (small connector goes to it) does that is clipped to the top of the fan housing?

A sensor of dirty air that controls A/C air recirculation in 'A' mode (automatic). If your air recirculation button is in 'A' mode it decides where to get air for your A/C - either from outside (no recirculation) or from inside (recirculation).

Originally Posted by Nervous

A sensor of dirty air that controls A/C air recirculation in 'A' mode (automatic). If your air recirculation button is in 'A' mode it decides where to get air for your A/C - either from outside (no recirculation) or from inside (recirculation).

I would have never have guessed that in a million years.

Subscribed! I've always been envious of my friend's electric fan. Especially when I had to do the water pump, then the thermostat on another date, then the belts another time, then the tensioner ... you get the point.

Originally Posted by officer140

Subscribed! I've always been envious of my friend's electric fan. Especially when I had to do the water pump, then the thermostat on another date, then the belts another time, then the tensioner ... you get the point.

I'll be doing my water pump, thermostat and pulleys soon too (I want to hit 200,000 miles first) that's why I did that fan upgrade, and to save some gas. I noticed today that is took approximately 15% less fuel to go the 18 miles to work today by going with the fuel meter countdown thing. I am so glad that I can remove the fan in about 15 seconds now !

Hi guys, just being a little AR before I ask a local shop to order one in for me.

I totally missed the OEM # in the OP (sorry Jake - lol) and I went from the Behr # and they ended up giving me the OEM #.

Again, just want to be sure these two # are the same thing.

OEM # 17117561757
Behr # W0133-1662672

I am doing this mod along with my entire cooling system and was wondering if there is a need for the front air dam. the one that sat in front of the aux fan.
I assume it's there to keep things from the grill and underneath the car from hitting the radiator. thought about putting screen behind the grill work seems like it would give radiator more air flow without the air dam. Any thoughts???

Kinda newbie so give me a break Please

Originally Posted by n2siast

One question I have however, what, if any, is the downside of not putting the plastic shroud back on? The piece that covered the original Aux Fax in front of the radiator.

Originally Posted by corv75

I am doing this mod along with my entire cooling system and was wondering if there is a need for the front air dam. the one that sat in front of the aux fan.

Yes it's needed. It takes the air from the bottom of the bumper and directs air properly along the radiator and at the top it seals the hood grills so air is forced into the engine bay and not scattered around inside.

Ok I really appreciate response. Have a good week.

Originally Posted by steve.325i

Hi guys, just being a little AR before I ask a local shop to order one in for me.

I totally missed the OEM # in the OP (sorry Jake - lol) and I went from the Behr # and they ended up giving me the OEM #.

Again, just want to be sure these two # are the same thing.

OEM # 17117561757
Behr # W0133-1662672

Hmmmm, nobody replied to my post.
Definitely feeling no love
I ordered anyway !!

It is the same. Should work.

That's the correct OEM fan number. However, this "BEHR OEM" fan advertised on ebay has a different part number of 351038391:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/400254951362...ht_3502wt_1177

What BEHR vendor are you using, because I want to buy the correct fan as well.

Originally Posted by Nervous

It is the same. Should work.

Thx.

Originally Posted by tootall

That's the correct OEM fan number. However, this "BEHR OEM" fan advertised on ebay has a different part number of 351038391:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/400254951362...ht_3502wt_1177

What BEHR vendor are you using, because I want to buy the correct fan as well.

I'm actually ordering it locally through RMP Motors, but I found teh following two links. Both are canadian sites, but the autopartsway site has a US side.

http://www.autopartsway.ca/PartDetails.cfm?W0133-1662672/BEH/BMW/2003/325i/Base/2.5L_L6/allB/Cooling/Cooling_Fan,_Clutch_and_Motor/Engine_Cooling_Fan_Assembly/pagenum1/tabS

http://www.bestpricecarparts.ca/ShopByVehicle.epc?q=&yearid=2003@@2003&makeid=31@@BMW@@X&modelid=986%3ABT%7C5%3AED%7C589%3AMBC%7C171@@325i%20Sedan&catid=240909@@Cooling%20System&subcatid=240990@@Auxiliary%20Fan%20Assembly&applicationid=W0133-1662672@@Auxiliary Fan Assembly&mode=PA

Looks like it is selling it on Amazon even cheaper under the Behr number listed on the eBay ad I listed above. I think that is the Behr number and the other number you have is a catalog or vendor part number.

Here is the Behr at Amazon for $182.14 with free two day shipping for Amazon Prime members:

http://www.amazon.com/Behr-Service-3.../dp/B003NWSNJ2

They don't list the OEM part number in the Amazon ad, but it is probably OK.

Make sure to get the part number I stated.

I got the Bosch unit #17117561757 at autohausaz, which is also available at other sites. That's the BMW part number, too.

fan swap completed last week. drove back to school in DC from Baltimore right afterwards and my display was reading an average of high 27 mpg. Nothing to compare to but still a noteworthy number