Solvent, Timing Belt, and Aux. Fan Question

#1

Hey Y’all,

I have a couple of unrelated questions.

First, last night I was trying to clean up the sticky goo on my doors left over from peeling the plastic coverings off. I tried the following: paint thinner, acetone, gasoline, and Goo Gone. All worked well, except that they also took the paint off. Does anyone have any suggestions for an effective solvent that won’t also strip the paint?

Second, I have purchased a new timing belt and tensioner (as well as a water pump). I’ve never read anywhere that there’s a gasket under the timing belt cover that needs replacing and just want to confirm this before I get into the project.

Last, when I remove the radiator for the timing belt replacement, I’ll delete the unwanted A/C parts but keep the auxiliary fan. What do I need to fasten this electric fan to the radiator? Also, it sounds like this aux. fan was installed to come on under two conditions: the A/C is on or the operating engine temperature gets too high. The second condition could still turn the fan on if the car gets too hot even with the A/C system removed, no? I’m confused because I’ve heard of people hard-wiring this fan to a cockpit switch and I’m wondering why I cannot just leave it to function automatically as BMW designed it?

Thanks,
Sasha

#2

On the third topic, here are the oem part numbers to mount the aux fan w/o the condensor (credit to Bruce for posting this back in November http://spece30.com/index.php?option=com_mamboboard&Itemid=42&func=view&id=1368&catid=5):

Brackets to mount fan without A/C condenser:
17-40-1-372-828
17-40-1-372-829
17-40-1-373-069

picture of parts:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=1232&mospid=47263&btnr=17_0073&hg=17&fg=10&hl=67
(some have had to buy item 13 in this picture also)

I’m sure you could fab some mounts to do the same thing, but these are like $20 for all, and make it a snap.

My fan is hooked up to the factory connectors, and I guess it should theoretically come on automatically if the coolant got hot enough. Mine never has so I can’t verify that it will. I just turn mine on in the pits by pushing the a/c button and then turn it off when I get out on track. I think you are right, though.

Steve

#3

Sasha,

Regarding the electric fan, I went through the options on this a few months ago and decided to leave the original fan in place and delete the pusher fan. According to Dave Pallister, the fan doesn’t rob much power from the engine since it is free wheeling most of the time, especially at speed. I know a lot of folks go with the stock pusher fan, but I prefer the option of having an unobstructed radiator for cooling on the track.

If I were to go with the electric pusher fan (puller on the engine side is better), I have added a few to cars and I always went with an aftermarket adjustable fan relay (available at JEGS, Summitt racing, etc.) wired directly to the battery (starter lead is a good spot). This way you don’t have to worry about when it is going to come on - you determine the temp you want on the relay. The fine print will tell you not to wire directly to the battery for fear of battery drain, but I have had a few track cars done this way with no problems. It may run a minute or two in the pits, but I would rather have it cool down after some hot laps.

Regaring the goo, did you try petroleum based mineral spirits? That shouldn’t remove the paint if you limit the contact time.

Best of luck,
Ed

#4

I’ve heard stories of the fan clutch coming apart and the fan flying away…and usually into the radiator, so I installed an aftermarket pusher fan with a radiator-mounted temp switch.

Cooling has never been a problem (and the fan clutch coming apart is rare I’m sure) so I feel comfortable that the small electric fan will do the job. At the Feb VIR comp school, it was about 70 degrees and it did fine.

VIR in late July will tell the story though.

Carter

#5

Sasha, 3M makes an automotive adhesive remover (actually, they have two – one is citrus-based). I’ve used it on hood foam adhesive without damaging paint. Try www.eastwood.com

#6

I have seen two fan clutches/fan blades come apart while running on the street, and the resulting damage was not too pretty. The e46 I just repaired a couple of weeks ago needed new: hood, hood liner, radiator, shroud, fan/clutch, trans cooler/heat exchanger, upper rad. hose, "belly" pan and brake ducts underneath. I took the fan off my e36 over two years ago and have had no problems w/ overheating (even stuck in traffic, 95 degrees, a/c on, 45 minutes).
Also, there is no gasket under the timing cover. Just remember which half of the cover goes on the outside where they meet (99% sure its the top half ) or it’ll make some cool noise when you start it up.
Ryan

Post edited by: rshand325, at: 2006/04/11 20:19