M-Series (M1, M3, M5, M6)General M-Series Discussion - If it does not fit into a more specific M Category above, please place it in here. In addition, previously archived M-Series discussion is located in this section.
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Well, I've gone through the forums looking at stuff relating to this issue, and have come up confused.
On my 1995 318i I had an accident that smashed in the front panel and two grilles, smack dab in the middle of the car. It hadn't touched the radiator fan however, and the fan was functional. As far as I knew it, when the engine was running, so was the fan (I didn't check this, I just figured it from hearsay at the board).
I got the front end replaced and fixed (the grilles weren't bent so bad), and whilst I was driving home apparently the air dams around the fan collapsed (incorrectly mounted, I guess) and fell in behind the grille, in front of the fan. Luckily, it didn't actually interrupt the radiator fan.
After getting this satisfactorily fixed, I noticed a month later that the fan didn't run when my car was idling. I didn't notice and overheating or funny noises, but it's cold in chicago right now - so I probably wouldn't notice the overheating maybe? Obviously, without outside help (or a brick) I can't rev the engine and stare at the radiator fan to see if it spins faster as the engine revs higher (as I found out from the forums here).
Anyway... I just noticed that in my 1998 M3 that the radiator fan does not spin when the car has just been started. I haven't checked after a drive yet, but I do recall that it was spinning after I test drove it.
So I guess the question is... is the radiator fan just not spinning because it's so damn cold out? Or did something pop in my M3 that I am unaware about (no noise, no overheating)?
Originally posted by 4evrwyntr@Feb 23 2005, 11:54 AM Well, I've gone through the forums looking at stuff relating to this issue, and have come up confused.
On my 1995 318i I had an accident that smashed in the front panel and two grilles, smack dab in the middle of the car. It hadn't touched the radiator fan however, and the fan was functional. As far as I knew it, when the engine was running, so was the fan (I didn't check this, I just figured it from hearsay at the board).
I got the front end replaced and fixed (the grilles weren't bent so bad), and whilst I was driving home apparently the air dams around the fan collapsed (incorrectly mounted, I guess) and fell in behind the grille, in front of the fan. Luckily, it didn't actually interrupt the radiator fan.
After getting this satisfactorily fixed, I noticed a month later that the fan didn't run when my car was idling. I didn't notice and overheating or funny noises, but it's cold in chicago right now - so I probably wouldn't notice the overheating maybe? Obviously, without outside help (or a brick) I can't rev the engine and stare at the radiator fan to see if it spins faster as the engine revs higher (as I found out from the forums here).
Anyway... I just noticed that in my 1998 M3 that the radiator fan does not spin when the car has just been started. I haven't checked after a drive yet, but I do recall that it was spinning after I test drove it.
So I guess the question is... is the radiator fan just not spinning because it's so damn cold out? Or did something pop in my M3 that I am unaware about (no noise, no overheating)?
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As far as i know from all the other vehicles that i have owned etc. The radiator fan does not actually kick on until the car hits a certain temperature. Once that temp is reached the fan kicks in to cool the engine down. thus when the car is over heating you would turn on your heater to get the rad. fan to turn thus cooling the engine. Unless BMWs are different in design then this is the reason your fan is not running while the engine idles. If you have ever been driving and sitting at a red light and noticed the engine lopes for a sec. That is the rad fan turning on. Hope this helps and on a side note. my Audi does not have a rad. or rad fan. the engine is internally cooled. It is actually pretty kewl. no pun intended. :-)
Well that clarifies things as well as makes me feel a little bit smarter. Good to know. Yes, I know exactly what you mean about stopping at a red light. Huh. I hate the weather.
Audi's are internally cooled? That's pretty cool indeed (no pun intended either). How does that work? I like Audi as well... But I'm a bimmerfan by heart.
Originally posted by 4evrwyntr@Feb 24 2005, 10:52 AM Well that clarifies things as well as makes me feel a little bit smarter. Good to know. Yes, I know exactly what you mean about stopping at a red light. Huh. I hate the weather.
Audi's are internally cooled? That's pretty cool indeed (no pun intended either). How does that work? I like Audi as well... But I'm a bimmerfan by heart.
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The audis are setup at the factory to be internally cooled. all the components to keep the engine cool are built in. the fluids are put in at the factory and you only need to watch the resivoir that is under the hood and keep it at recomended levels
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