Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 59

Thread: I checked it once a month, but yet...

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Chesterton, IN
    Posts
    3,266
    My Cars
    1998 540i/6, 2002 M5

    I checked it once a month, but yet...

    Driving home from work last Wednesday... BAM!



    Thats right... two week old bumper, just replaced by insurance.


    Apparently it can happen to anybody who pushes the envelope.




    I left work on Wednesday, and not 3 minutes later, as I was downshifting to go through a corner, I realized I could hear the fan. Too late, it esploded. Seized fan clutch.

    Somehow the fan blades damaged my new front bumper. I had to trace it, and apparently the blade went right through the brake ductwork and plastic on the passenger side, and hit the inside of the front bumper. In the above pic, you can still see the fan blade peeking through.


    Obvious damage to hood, but I had trouble locating the coolant leak (all hoses are untouched!!). I finally found it.


    So, I had to have a car to drive... and as I was standing there all pissed off I realized the 740iL that I'm working on for my cousin has an M60 in it. Lightbulb! In 1.5 hours I had my radiator, shroud, and fan out and had his installed in my car, and the system filled and bled. Good to go, for now!

    Further carnage pics:










    all done!





    I'm considering doing an electric fan mod now. Checked into it briefly, and might go with the stuff available from Zionsville. I can't afford their sweet radiator, but the shroud and fan combo might be nice... thoughts?
    Last edited by cdb3113; 11-09-2010 at 03:24 PM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    NW & SE
    Posts
    1,221
    My Cars
    97- 540
    Wow, that is one nasty hood. I have the Zionsville shroud and works great. By the way, you can always buy the Zionsville radiator later and get it cheaper from UUC.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Costa Rica
    Posts
    6,707
    My Cars
    Blown 528i, KE30, Pathy
    Dayyyuuuumm!!!

    Imagine if you were peeking at the engine bay at that moment!



    I don't know of any other car that has such a catastrophic failure as our E39s do. It's like a small nuke.
    Last edited by crdiscoverer; 11-09-2010 at 03:38 PM.
    Resident Third World Country Advisor

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Pittsburgh PA
    Posts
    2,737
    My Cars
    '98 540i/6, '00 Miata
    Hot diggity. I'm glad I installed a new fan clutch.
    Oxford Green 1998 540i/6
    BMWCCA No. 425591

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Arida Zona
    Posts
    30,094
    My Cars
    z3
    Maintence > M5 bumpers

    Going into my TENTH YEAR of providing high quality reproduction BMW fabrics!

    PRICE CUT on ALL FABRICS
    Offering the best prices on the best quality reproduction fabrics!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Chesterton, IN
    Posts
    3,266
    My Cars
    1998 540i/6, 2002 M5
    Quote Originally Posted by blackxs View Post
    Maintence > M5 bumpers
    True, but I hope this comment isn't actually directed at me.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    West Michigan
    Posts
    14,422
    My Cars
    98 540iA (Prd 11/97)
    I just showed this to my wife and said I might replace mine just to be sure. She said, "If it happens, we'll just have to get an M5.". Then I told her I was going to post up what she said, and she said, "That is the SUV, right?" (X5). LOL!

    OP,

    Sorry to see the damage.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Manhasset, NY
    Posts
    526
    My Cars
    E39 M5, E53 X5, F-250
    Looks like he's talking about a new stock bumper...

    Quote Originally Posted by blackxs View Post
    Maintence > M5 bumpers
    2000 M5, Carbon Black on Caramel
    2001 X5 4.4, Alpine White on Tan
    2005 F-250 6.0 Turbo Diesel
    1997 540i/6 07/1996, Aspensilver on Aubergine- - Sold




  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    New York
    Posts
    1,401
    My Cars
    E46 M3
    these cars are such headaches f our lives

  10. #10
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Chesterton, IN
    Posts
    3,266
    My Cars
    1998 540i/6, 2002 M5
    I shoulda changed the fan clutch long ago! I'm now thinking back on all the maintenence I've done... and the fact that I've now put 100k miles on this beast. Some of it is going to recur soon... hahaha. Incoming front suspension rebuild (upper and lower struts), pre-cat 02's... actually I think thats the worst of it. Everything else only has ~30k miles on it. :stickout:

    Quote Originally Posted by jamesdc4 View Post
    I just showed this to my wife and said I might replace mine just to be sure. She said, "If it happens, we'll just have to get an M5.". Then I told her I was going to post up what she said, and she said, "That is the SUV, right?" (X5). LOL!

    OP,

    Sorry to see the damage.
    Replace it! ~$130 now, or ~$2000 later?
    Last edited by cdb3113; 11-09-2010 at 03:50 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Manhasset, NY
    Posts
    526
    My Cars
    E39 M5, E53 X5, F-250
    After seeing all of these threads, i think im gonna jump on the electric fan bandwagon...
    2000 M5, Carbon Black on Caramel
    2001 X5 4.4, Alpine White on Tan
    2005 F-250 6.0 Turbo Diesel
    1997 540i/6 07/1996, Aspensilver on Aubergine- - Sold




  12. #12
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Chesterton, IN
    Posts
    3,266
    My Cars
    1998 540i/6, 2002 M5
    Quote Originally Posted by NYZ93 View Post
    these cars are such headaches f our lives
    WTB: HOOD

    lol

    Quote Originally Posted by jvestal View Post
    Wow, that is one nasty hood. I have the Zionsville shroud and works great. By the way, you can always buy the Zionsville radiator later and get it cheaper from UUC.
    Did you do the fan conversion, and which one did you get (if so)? Still looking at 600 bones for the shroud, expansion tank, and the dual speed fan with wiring. Add on to that the cost of a replacement radiator ($200).
    Last edited by cdb3113; 11-09-2010 at 04:03 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

  13. #13
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Cowtown -The Great NW
    Posts
    3,357
    My Cars
    2003 530iA
    That's why I will swap to zero pressure NPG+ this or next week. No high pressure, no leaks, no low coolant, no whirring fan.
    Looking for a DIY? Parts? Check this out, it might be your ticket

    Stable: e92is, e53 N62, e46M54B25, Tribby & e39 M54B30 R.I.P.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    NW & SE
    Posts
    1,221
    My Cars
    97- 540
    Quote Originally Posted by cdb3113 View Post
    WTB: HOOD

    lol


    Did you do the fan conversion, and which one did you get (if so)? Still looking at 600 bones for the shroud, expansion tank, and the dual speed fan with wiring. Add on to that the cost of a replacement radiator ($200).
    I replaced my entire cooling system (everything) 1.5 years ago, before Zionsvillle made the shroud. Not to long ago, my fan clutch stop working (less than 10K / Borg Warner), the fan would spin up crazy, almost sounded like the clutch (not fan clutch) was slipping. You are right, it will cost you $600, but it was worth it to me. I didn't get the radiator because mine was new when I replaced it. I just wanted one less worry with my car.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Chicago South IL
    Posts
    4,791
    My Cars
    2003 530i Sport
    holy crap .... how many miles on your blown fan clutch ? Have you check it when replaced W-P/T-T ??

    this why i asked why you don't drive your 12 years old car in winter time ?
    but the good things you again have fun no ?
    After Drive shaft, Rear sub frame and tons of bushing you replaced this one is easy for you !
    LOL, keep us updated
    Last edited by champaign777; 11-09-2010 at 06:04 PM.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Charlotte NC
    Posts
    1,100
    My Cars
    E34 M5
    Quote Originally Posted by blackxs View Post
    Maintence > M5 bumpers
    Uh, that doesn't look like an M5 bumper to me. Who is this comment directed towards?
    1991 M5 (in progress)

    Restoring an old BMW, God help me.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Costa Rica
    Posts
    6,707
    My Cars
    Blown 528i, KE30, Pathy
    Quote Originally Posted by boondocksaint View Post
    Uh, that doesn't look like an M5 bumper to me. Who is this comment directed towards?
    I believe he meant to say that now that his bumper is gone, he will need a new one, but before thinking about an M5 bumper, maintenance should be first. It kinda loses the point if you have to explain it.
    Resident Third World Country Advisor

  18. #18
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Chesterton, IN
    Posts
    3,266
    My Cars
    1998 540i/6, 2002 M5
    Quote Originally Posted by crdiscoverer View Post
    I believe he meant to say that now that his bumper is gone, he will need a new one, but before thinking about an M5 bumper, maintenance should be first. It kinda loses the point if you have to explain it.
    I believe I maintain my car quite well, as you can see in my build/repair thread in my sig. I didn't understand the comment, because I don't feel it applies to me. Not to mention that this is my 3rd stock bumper. I don't want an M5 bumper on this car. Besides, an M5 bumper would scrape.

    Quote Originally Posted by champaign777 View Post
    holy crap .... how many miles on your blown fan clutch ? Have you check it when replaced W-P/T-T ??

    this why i asked why you don't drive your 12 years old car in winter time ?
    but the good things you again have fun no ?
    After Drive shaft, Rear sub frame and tons of bushing you replaced this one is easy for you !
    LOL, keep us updated
    Fan and clutch had at least 100k miles on them. Maybe more, but I don't know for sure. Somebody did replace the radiator before I owned it, pre-2006. The water pump had been done before too, as was evidenced by the presence of only one dowel (should be two).

    The least I can do for my paint is to not drive it in the wintertime. I don't really do much else for it... also, I like having ground clearance for snow. Maybe I should build an E39 540i/6 T with a little lift kit? I wonder if I can get an all-wheel drive? LOL
    Last edited by cdb3113; 11-10-2010 at 02:11 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Chicago South IL
    Posts
    4,791
    My Cars
    2003 530i Sport
    this guy is a E39 masochist
    Last edited by champaign777; 11-10-2010 at 02:21 PM.

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Baltimore,Md,usa
    Posts
    489
    My Cars
    97 540 auto
    As far as maitenence is concerned this was due to a failing fan clutch or a loose bolt associated with the clutch.

    Sorry to hear about it man. It seems all to common here aka "boom it went through my hood' thread

  21. #21
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    New York
    Posts
    5,563
    My Cars
    2003 525i
    cdb3113/Brother,

    This should not have happened to a dude like you. True your paint is more effed up than Lindsey Lohan's left nostril after a party, but when it comes to maintenance, you are one of the leaders of the pack. This is a rude, cruel thing to take place.

    See here and read post # 1, 42, 45 and 50:

    http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1547212

    I've had three (3) fan clutches now. In fact at the Oil Filter Replacement (see thread and pics) we did a fan-shroud-partial-delete (so replacing my damned belts, pulleys, water pump/thermostat and fan clutch will be easier).

    Get your car back together and either use a SACHS clutch (only...and this is my three cents) or do the SPAL fan. I'll say this though, a dude did a SPAL fan and I was reading about it somewhere and he wrote about how is Auxillary Fan was coming on a lot---it should not! Perhaps the dude who was writing either didn't have a SPAL fan with enough CFM or he was using his air conditioner at the time? Get a fan with lots of CFM (pull) and RPM:

    http://ezinearticles.com/?Fan-Calcul...-CFM&id=935874

    So get your girlfriend over at some point. Ask her for a massage so you feel better. Then watch Top Gun in BluRay (if it's available) and drink a beer. Then go on-line and order the SPAL set-up. This is a mere setback for you bro. It's a kick in the left nut cause you have regret and self-doubt but dude, I have a lightsaber too and I was nearly fooled by my own fan clutch. It happends. You're not known to be a great sailor until you navigate a long distance or a short distance where a storm is invovled. Either way it's not easy to be Captain Picard's # 1. So make it so and get your car fixed. I'm sick just hearing about it as I almost almost almost went through fan clutch chaos and seeing your Enterprise in-dock.

    Drink some Earl Gray tea, HOT and make a plan.

    Keith
    "I'd smash that (Jennifer Connelly) like a failed coup in sub-Saharan Africa."
    ~Macktheknife in my epic Jennifer Connelly OT Thread

  22. #22
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Chesterton, IN
    Posts
    3,266
    My Cars
    1998 540i/6, 2002 M5
    Quote Originally Posted by champaign777 View Post
    this guy is a E39 masochist

  23. #23
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    South Florida
    Posts
    3,466
    My Cars
    645i; X5 4.8i; 525iT 5sp
    This begs the question... does this only happen under load, or could this happen when I've got my ear to the valve cover noise hunting?
    I love to flap my paddle..

  24. #24
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    New York
    Posts
    5,563
    My Cars
    2003 525i
    Quote Originally Posted by Lord DRIFT View Post
    This begs the question... does this only happen under load, or could this happen when I've got my ear to the valve cover noise hunting?
    It could happen with your car turned off.*

    If cdb3113 can blow-out a fan clutch, anyone can at anytime.

    * = Run with that. And don't swim off an island named Amity, no matter how friendly the water seems.
    "I'd smash that (Jennifer Connelly) like a failed coup in sub-Saharan Africa."
    ~Macktheknife in my epic Jennifer Connelly OT Thread

  25. #25
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Chesterton, IN
    Posts
    3,266
    My Cars
    1998 540i/6, 2002 M5
    Quote Originally Posted by bimmerfiver View Post
    So get your girlfriend over at some point. Ask her for a massage so you feel better. Then watch Top Gun in BluRay (if it's available) and drink a beer. Then go on-line and order the SPAL set-up. This is a mere setback for you bro. It's a kick in the left nut cause you have regret and self-doubt but dude, I have a lightsaber too and I was nearly fooled by my own fan clutch. It happends. You're not known to be a great sailor until you navigate a long distance or a short distance where a storm is invovled. Either way it's not easy to be Captain Picard's # 1. So make it so and get your car fixed. I'm sick just hearing about it as I almost almost almost went through fan clutch chaos and seeing your Enterprise in-dock.

    Drink some Earl Gray tea, HOT and make a plan.

    Keith
    I fail at step 1.

    However, I will perservere and install a SPAL fan on a Zionsville shroud (with expansion tank). I just need to get some dollars together for that. Hopefully my overtime check comes this month! I just sold one of my snowboards so I can afford a new radiator, too.

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •