Dlau

Hi,

My e500's engine fan is extremely noisy when it kicks in, It sounds like you run the engine in netural at 5000 rmp. I sometime find it is embarrassing in a crowded place where everyone is looking at you car and thinking something is wrong with your engine. Does yours do the same, or it is just mine?

Thank!

Dlau

cte430

Yeah mine to; Someone commented the other day about how loud it was.

i8hotdogs

My E500 does the exact same thing. I remember someone stating there is a software update to lower the speed of the fan.

wow

Same here. It gets very noisy when you turn on the air cond. Extremely loud. I was driving down the busy shopping lane (outdoor shopping like European) and I think I got the disturbing looks from the folks who were there. Yikes !!!

MPTLPTR

I don't get the reasoning behind the software update that lowers the fan speed -- when the high speed fans turn on it means the engine needs max cooling, why would you want to lower the fan speed?!?!? I'd much rather prolong the engine's life than worry about the noise.

BMcD-E500

I noticed it come on when the climate display says MAX COOL. I just raise the climate controls up a bit until it's just using the regular AC. The fan drops back to normal. I haven't had it hot enough to come on in normal driving, at least not that I have noticed. Tell people it's the built in espresso machine making that noise!!!

Bruce

BigBohn

Actually, I like it. It sounds like an airplane engine whirring up to speed. Reminds me of how my previous BMW 5 series sounded when starting. Damn, that was a great car. I love this E just as much, or maybe even more...

matt5555

Yep, my E320 sounds like a Jet taking off too

RenaultFreak

Ha! now you guys feel how its to be me, My Renault 21 has a two speed system that toggles between low and high speed a lot and ppl say that it sounds like a Cessna C182 on take off...at leats it mutes the lifter noise :o

I'd live with the sound rather than with a poor a/c system and hotter engine due to lower fan speeds...

konigstiger

You're not alone in this matter! Now how do we email the factory rep(s) directly and by pass the dealership middlemen?

sf49ers79

Man.. my e500 engine is having some noise also... so is that normal or bad thing since everybody experience the same problem?

jim256

I think we may sometimes on other threads be calling it the "Auxilary fan" but, in fact it is the only fan. I cannot determine whether it is running at variable speeds based upon temperature, but it is the only cooling we have when the car is stationary--my 320 has no other mechanical cooling fan behind the radiator. I don't think it's a problem, per se, it's just a very large fan and consequently moves a good deal of air when called upon. I think someone posted a problem regarding an out of balance fan, but mine exhibits no irregular sounds or motion. It is only noticable outside the car, and only runs for a short period normally. My take is that if the engine was not calling for it, it would not be running. Outside temps here are 90+ so I would expect it.

Dlau

Thanks all,

At least I know I am not the only one has the "jet engine" sound alike fan under the hood of my E500. I just feel that it doesn't need to be that loud when spinning. My BMW 740il has both a conventional fan clutched fan and a Aux elec. fan, but they are very quiet when operating.

But I agree with some of you, I rather have a loud fan than a overheating engine. Actually I can tell others I have a jet engine under the hood!

Thanks!

Dlau

Kar don

if you say thats the only fan in there that means it comes on because you have the A/C on. Air needs to pass across the condensor to cool the refrigerant or you won't be nice and cool inside the car. Having the A/C on will kick the fan on earlier than it would without it on.

RJC

As I've mentioned previously, there is a reprogram available for the fan speed...see your service adv.. If the service adv is not aware, ask to speak with the dealer's shop foreman, he should know and or find out the info for you.

konigstiger

Just now sent an email message to customer service (technical) by way of mbusa.com and included a link to this thread. I'm sure they're aware -- maybe this thread will show unity and possibly convince them to hurry along a fix.

cmaustin

This fas noise is one of my biggest complaints right now. We've talked elsewhere that it's needed to cool the car's engine in hot climates. After some thinking and playing with this, I now believe this is NOT TRUE. It seems this fan has nothing to do with cooling the engine and thus will not hurt the car to lower the speed. Why do I think this:

1) It comes up when I first start up the car. Why would it be needed when the engine isn't hot? And it doesn't stay on all the time, even with the engine at full temp.

2) You can turn it off by lowering your ac fan speed. Try this, start your car with ac on max; wait for the Monster Truck Jet Engine Fan to start; lower you ac fan speed. Loud fan stops.

I believe this is a fan to help the ac cool. If this is the case, then this is a bad design. Especially since my E500's 4zone ac is crap (in terms of cooling power) compared to my wife's Lexus and the c class loaners I've gotten from the dealer.

jabo

Another way to reduce the fan speed/noise is to shift out of drive into neutral or park when at a stop/parked.

Obviously, keeping the transmission oil cooled is another thing to consider.

This fan is providing additional airflow for both cooling systems.

skymast

Is there an update on how to solve the excessive fan noise problem? I spoke to the Service Advisor and the shop foreman and they indicated that there was no fix ... its normal.

bmms8

no one posted a fix, but someone posted that you can get the speed to reduce, but i dont think thats the best for your engine.