radiator fan makes weird noise
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Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 52
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2001 S500 W220
radiator fan makes weird noise
Hello everyone, I'm sorry if this is a re-post but I couldn't find anything with the search option.
I'm driving a 2001 S500.
I'm not sure if I'm getting spoiled, never realized it before or if it's getting worse, but for a week or so I realize a strange noise after I turn off my car. I opened the hood and had a friend turning off my Benz and the noise is coming from the radiator cooling fan. It's like a grinding noise. When I turn the fan by hand I can hear the noise again.
The fan shuts off with the car so it is not running afterwards. I'm living in New Mexico and the temperatures are in the 50s/60s at the moment (03/06/20150 so it is not really that warm yet.
I'm just wondering if there is something wrong with it or if it's normal to hear that noise and I just never realized it before.
If I have to change the radiator fan, does anyone have a clue how to do it or an DIY link?
Thank you for your help and have a great day,
Chris
I'm driving a 2001 S500.
I'm not sure if I'm getting spoiled, never realized it before or if it's getting worse, but for a week or so I realize a strange noise after I turn off my car. I opened the hood and had a friend turning off my Benz and the noise is coming from the radiator cooling fan. It's like a grinding noise. When I turn the fan by hand I can hear the noise again.
The fan shuts off with the car so it is not running afterwards. I'm living in New Mexico and the temperatures are in the 50s/60s at the moment (03/06/20150 so it is not really that warm yet.
I'm just wondering if there is something wrong with it or if it's normal to hear that noise and I just never realized it before.
If I have to change the radiator fan, does anyone have a clue how to do it or an DIY link?
Thank you for your help and have a great day,
Chris
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
C43, S500, S320, 280 SEL 4.5
Your problem is the fan motor that is going out or it could be the bearings on the fan hub itself. The cooling fan design is strange on the S500. The motor sits at the corner of the shroud with a belt that goes to the fan hub and pulley in the center. 1200 dollars for a new one. Used they are about 300. Bad design.
After owning the W220, I am starting to change my mind about the superiority of engineering from sindelfingen. The W220 is built like a Tata or a mahindra when compared to the real thing the W140.
My W140's both 1999 S500 and S320 are keepers.
After owning the W220, I am starting to change my mind about the superiority of engineering from sindelfingen. The W220 is built like a Tata or a mahindra when compared to the real thing the W140.
My W140's both 1999 S500 and S320 are keepers.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
C43, S500, S320, 280 SEL 4.5
Yes it has an electric motor. Unfortunately the idiots in sindelfingen did not make it direct drive like every other radiator fan in the world. They wanted to be unique by placing the electric motor off to the side of the shroud and running a tiny belt from it to the fan hub.
my advice. Don't mess with it. Take it to a reputable independent mercedes shop.
they have seen this problem many times before.
my advice. Don't mess with it. Take it to a reputable independent mercedes shop.
they have seen this problem many times before.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,605
Likes: 343
From: Welwyn, Herts, UK
2006 S600
W220's use two types of fan.
Some use a belt-driven fan.
Some use a direct drive fan.
Mine is direct drive.
I don't believe they're interchangeable.
Make sure the fan isn't rubbing against anything. Mine did (my fault) and it failed.
Nick
Some use a belt-driven fan.
Some use a direct drive fan.
Mine is direct drive.
I don't believe they're interchangeable.
Make sure the fan isn't rubbing against anything. Mine did (my fault) and it failed.
Nick
Newbie
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
2001 S430
My '01 s430 radiator fan started making a whining sound when I turned the car off. Then it started to make a louder noise when running. I replaced it with an aftermarket from Amazon. About $250.
Search for this in Amazon:
Depo 340-55003-100 Radiator Fan Assembly
Easy to install, two bolts. There's a DIY on the site somewhere. Fixed my problem. Sounds like it's yours too.
Search for this in Amazon:
Depo 340-55003-100 Radiator Fan Assembly
Easy to install, two bolts. There's a DIY on the site somewhere. Fixed my problem. Sounds like it's yours too.
