DIY: Aux/mechanical fan to electric fan swap

Originally Posted by J1Productions

Thanks for this diy solid. I think I'm going to tackle this one. What would you rate the difficulty level at? I believe I have all these tools, not sure what fan clutch tools are though.

real easy, 5 out of 10. This is a fan clutch tool:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA300_.jpg

But there are many many versions available...

Originally Posted by Vigilante

real easy, 5 out of 10. This is a fan clutch tool:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA300_.jpg

But there are many many versions available...

Thanks for the response. The only thing I'm worried about is removing the bumper and the possibility of messing something up with it. Could I rent this tool at autozone?

My local AZ doesn't carry this tool but you find them for sale every once in a while one this site. I just bought a set from a fellow E46Fanatic & after I do this conversion I will be placing the tools up for sale for someone else to use.

Still going to post the diy video solid?

Unless my friend wants to do the swap on his car, no for now.

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewi...id=25429784386
Found this one on eBay. Has the same p/n and claims to be OEM, is this legit? Or should I stay away and stick with Bosch.

That doesn't even have a brand of the fan.

Get this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-Auxiliar...#ht_1694wt_905

Originally Posted by Sweetness

NO go to BMAParts.com RIGHT HERE

Originally Posted by Sweetness

NO go to BMAParts.com RIGHT HERE

Yea get that one! Great price!

i'll be tackling this mod soon, right after i figure out why my e46 can't idle smoothly.

my mechanical fan blew up on me twice in less than 10,000 miles- primarily because the 1st time, the shop didn't diagnose the water pump to be problematic- so i didn't change it, and it had play and wobbled the mechanical fan to death. both times it punctured my hood. plus, i hate the sound and the drag it creates for the revs.

Got mine right here. I'll be doing the before and after idle videos as promised

Originally Posted by Cobra

i'll be tackling this mod soon, right after i figure out why my e46 can't idle smoothly.

my mechanical fan blew up on me twice in less than 10,000 miles- primarily because the 1st time, the shop didn't diagnose the water pump to be problematic- so i didn't change it, and it had play and wobbled the mechanical fan to death. both times it punctured my hood. plus, i hate the sound and the drag it creates for the revs.

I would replace the motor mounts as well as a precaution.

Originally Posted by Solidjake

I would replace the motor mounts as well as a precaution.

originally thought that was the problem, but we tested it and there was no slack really. the water pump, however, had a lot of play. though, i'll still change the mounts just because of the age of the car.

I would also recommend adding those stupid expanding rivets to the parts list.


Expanding rivets: 51718229003 (4)
51118174185 (as many as your break)
51471919209 (as many as your break)

Just finished this diy in about 2 hrs. Though I broke all those plastic rivet's that hold the air duct on. So I had to order those. But very easy and worth it.

Thanks for the added part numbers.

Let us know how the car drives!

Originally Posted by Nervous

Correct.

for anyone who didn't buy the rivets (im assuming you mean the ones for the plastic guard in front of the old puller fan), i realized i had none and used generic door clips (for holding on interiors to door frames) from the closest part store and they fit very solidly, just my 2 cents.

I finally am endorsing this mod. 3 days and no problems so far. Fanfreakingtastic. And believe me I was nervous when first installing. If you want to test to see if it works right away, fire up the car and turn the A/C on. The fan should turn on...and your fears will catch the next train out of town.

Originally Posted by Solidjake

All you need is is this:

floor jack and one jack stand
philips screwdriver
I think Torx 20 head
8" extension
ratchet
8mm socket or 8mm wrench
9mm socket
13mm socket
fan clutch tools
OEM electric fan: 17117561757
Expanding rivets: 51718229003 (4)
51118174185 (as many as your break)
51471919209 (as many as your break)


- Jack up one side of car (I did the drivers side) and put one jack on the metal plate
- Remove the 8mm bolts holding bumper to the fender liners
- Take out the reinforcement bolts with 9mm socket/ratchet/extension
- Slide bumper out (unclip wiring for fogs and horn)
- Take out the top air intake
- The center duct is held by four pop in screws
- Aux fan is held by four 13mm nuts, take them out
- Disconnect the aux fan by the fan shroud in the engine bay
- Slide the fan out
- Put the center duct back in and top air intake
- Put the front bumper back on in reverse order (slide in, put in the two reinforcement bar bolts and the assorted bolts to the liners.
- Next you have to take the mechanical fan out
- Pop out the fan control unit on the shroud and the other wiring and put them to the side
- Take out the 1 torx screw on the passenger side top and loosen up the fan shroud
- Use the fan clutch tool to loosen the bolt and take out the assembly
- Take your electric fan and slide it against the radiator and screw in the torx screw
- Plug the electric fan to the connector where the aux fan was plugged into
- Place back the control unit and the other wiring to the electric fan shroud

Viola, you're done.


I will make a DIY video later.

Thanks for this info. I have gotten as far as 'remove reinforcement bolts', but I can't find them.

Lay down and look under the bumper, you'll see two big metal bolts.