Sounds like a fan running

[Bentley]

Hi @mrscalex, yes it is an auto, you would think that they might have fitted a temperature sensor so the fan only ran if needed.
I notice in the cct diagram that the M version is fed from the DME but the Z3 is just to ground, maybe the M only turns on when required, but Z3 version runs all the time.
I have not done much work on forums, do you normally refer to each other by @name or just reply in general to everybody. Thanks for doing the digging, its great to know a little more detail.

 

[Nodzed]

maybe the M only turns on when required, but Z3 version runs all the time.

Mine runs all the time I think

 

[Sajk]

Hi @mrscalex, yes it is an auto, you would think that they might have fitted a temperature sensor so the fan only ran if needed.
I notice in the cct diagram that the M version is fed from the DME but the Z3 is just to ground, maybe the M only turns on when required, but Z3 version runs all the time.
I have not done much work on forums, do you normally refer to each other by @name or just reply in general to everybody. Thanks for doing the digging, its great to know a little more detail.

My manual 1998 2.8 has a fan in the DME enclosure for certain. That sound in the video sounds to me like a failing bearing in the fan or something has damaged the blades causing a vibration. Mine is very quiet but there for sure. Check realoem

 

[mrscalex]

Whereabouts are you @Sajk ? My comments are for UK market only.

 

[Sajk]

Whereabouts are you @Sajk ? My comments are for UK market only.

South Africa. Use realoem.com with your vin. Under engine electronics control box unit I think.

 

[mrscalex]

South Africa. Use realoem.com with your vin. Under engine electronics control box unit I think.

Well there you go. You’d always need a fan there as it’s always hot

 

[Bentley]

Hi @Sajk, Thank you for your comments. I think my fan in the video sounds extra noisy as I have taken of the cover to the DME enclosure and I have the recording mic very close. when its all back together and the bonnet down it is not so noticeable.

 

[mrscalex]

It sounds like everything is business as usual. Both in terms of finding a fan on an automatic (& M) and in turns of the noise from the fan.

But if the fan is a little noisy and you want to replace it 2 thoughts. A new one from BMW is about £150. From the realoem diagram the fan looks similiar to a PC fan or at least it looks pretty basic to me. So if you can get the old one out to examine it you may find an alternative on ebay that will do the job. Just make sure it's a decent make! I would guess it's not too difficult to change having had a couple of e-boxes out previously.

 

[Pingu]

It sounds like everything is business as usual. Both in terms of finding a fan on an automatic (& M) and in turns of the noise from the fan.

But if the fan is a little noisy and you want to replace it 2 thoughts. A new one from BMW is about £150. From the realoem diagram the fan looks similiar to a PC fan or at least it looks pretty basic to me. So if you can get the old one out to examine it you may find an alternative on ebay that will do the job. Just make sure it's a decent make! I would guess it's not too difficult to change having had a couple of e-boxes out previously.

If it's the one that is at the bottom of the housing that holds the WBA ECU, the plastic housing will need to come out to have a good look at the fan...

The good news is that it is only a 12v fan - just like those used in PCs.

 

[Bentley]

Hi @Pingu . Thanks for the picture of the fan location, I was wondering exactly where it was located and now I can see where it is. Looks like a bit of a challenge removing all the stuff and plenty of room for cock ups so I have decided that it is not really worth replacing at the moment. I even wonder if it is really necessary to have one running in our cold British climate, maybe on a few of the hottest summer days.