I'm replacing both electric fans on my 95 E300 and it looks simple enough but...do I need to undo the 'cover' that holds the fans in and then pull the old ones out or will I need to somehow pull the whole assembly out?

 

Bump, can someone point in the direction of an online manual by any chance?

Thanks -

 

You'll need to remove the electric fan shroud (cover) first and remove the fan assembly one at a time. My experience is with a 94E320 and I not sure if you have a dual fan set up as mine.

Most procedures I've seen indicated that you need to remove the radiator and condenser to access the fan. But I was able to remove, clean and re-install my electric fan last weekend without removing the radiator or condenser. I took some pictures of what I did and I'll try to post it later. Meanwhile, here is what I did:

1) Remove the horn bracket. The upper bolt is between the condenser and the upper body cross member. So, you have to unclip the radiator, remove the radiator fan shroud and push the radiator towards the engine to remove the upper bolt of the horn bracket. There is a very limited access to the lower bolt but it can be done with a combination wrench.

2) Unbolt the bracket of the aluminum tubing that run across the front of the electric fan shroud. You'll need to pull this away from the shroud later.

3) Remove the 4 plastic clip (looks like buttons) at the top most area of the shroud and one clip on each side by the middle of the shroud behind the bumper. I accessed the two side clips by going under the bumper.

4) Pull the shroud forward (away form the fan) and upward. Once the shroud is separated from the fan, the real fun begins!

5) The aluminum tubing the run across the shroud prevent you from pulling the shroud out. You need to maneuver it out. The shroud is flexible and I was able to bend and twist it out.

6) The two electric fans are mounted to the condenser by 6 bolts. Two of the six bolt are straight through with nut on the other end. Remove the electrical connection before pulling the fan out.

Reassembly is reverse of the procedure.

Caution! Be careful when putting back the electric fan shroud. When you slide it in from the top, the bottom of the shroud would land directly on the electric fan connection harness. You have to reach it from the bottom and push it to clear the harness.

I hope you understand the description of my procedure.

Good luck!
Ed

 

Ed, Nice write up.

Are the buttons reusable or do you have to buy new replacements? What's the best way to remove them?

 

I was able to remove and re-use the clips (buttons). It is a 2-part plastic rivet which consist of 1) a locking tab and 2) the actual pin that attach the fan shroud to the condenser.

Carefully lift the locking tab (the top portion of the button) with a thin putty knife or a small screw driver with thin flat head. Once you lift up a small portion of the locking tab you could twist it out with your fingers. The main pin will slide out when the locking tab is pulled halfway out.

Just be gentle. But, if it breaks it's cheaply available at the dealer.

 

As mentioned earlier here are some pictures I took when I R&R my ancillary fans.

 

Finally, remove fan.