Hi again.

I'm looking to modify my 320i and would like some advice. I have to replace the water pump, the front bearing has some play in it. Since the car has fairly limited HP, I was thinking of removing the cooling fan from the front pulley. Has anyone done this, and were there any complications? I'm going to remove all of the A/C parts while I'm in there so that will increase airflow through the radiator. I live in upstate NY so the next few months I'm not worried. Does the sensor that controls the auxiliary fan need to me changed to come on at a lower temp, or can that be left as is. Thanks for any advice.

Bob

Hi,

You may want to consider doing a search within the e21 forum. LOTS of information to be had.

In short - don't remove the rad fan. The sensor, I believe that sensor is 91F. You can replace it with a slightly cooler cut-in point but it's not really worth (IMO).

Rob

Put in a fan, regardless of where you live. Just get a 16 inch electric one, and run it to a manual switch if you want. That way if it gets over the 1/2 marker, and you're just sitting in traffic or something, you can flip it on for peace of mind.

you NEVER want to drive without any sort of aux cooling. Don't forget that when you turn your car off, it gets hotter for a bit without the fan on, and then cools down. So if you turn it off near the top of the dial, you could do some damage. Just grab a 16 inch fan, and put it as a puller behind the radiator, or a puller in front of the radiator.

Sorry, I suppose I wasn't very clear. I would never run the car w/o fan. There is an auxiliary fan already mounted in front of the radiator. Can or should this one be used as the primary cooling fan. If I can use it, does it need to be modified in any way. Is 91 an acceptable start temp for a primary cooling fan. Thanks again Bob

If you tear out the AC componants you can just use the AC switch as your ON/OFF switch - notice when you turn the AC on the fan comes on? just move the fan up close (RIGHT ON TOP OF) the radiator after you pull out the condensor. If you really want to do it right then you can wire up your own relay off a thermo switch.e21's have larger fans - the equivilant of the 2002 Desert/Sahara fan for higher temperature climates. you will notice a difference - it'll rev easier, you'll probably get ~1-2mpg better and the car will be quieter. Make sure that if you have a spacer behind your red fan that you put that back in.

It's not really suitable for a primary fan, but for one NY winter, if you don't sit in the Taco Bell drive thru it should be ok. Just run it and see, if it goes too high shut it off. Carry your red fan and some wrenches with you. I would plan on ordering another electric fan before spring.

if u can find the sensor that makes it turn on and just connect it to an electric fan and then run a wire to the battery for power then you got urself an electric fan thatll save u some power

Thanks all. I spoke to a friend who runs an auto shop today. He said he's done it w/ V8s and gained in the neighborhood of 20hp. It's definately coming out!! Even if I gained 1/2 that much it's still a 10% increase in HP, Thanks again. Bob