Loud engine belt driven fan noise at any time, including idle?

BOB CURRY

MEMBER
1995 MERCEDES BENZ ML320
3.2L
6 CYL
AUTOMATIC
75,000 MILES

Viscus fan drive seems normal but the belt drive pulley that the fan assembly is mounted, is loose and wobbling. Fan is still turning within fan shroud and blades not touching at any point.

Monday, December 26th, 2022 AT 10:46 AM

7 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,643 POSTS

It would help if you uploaded a picture or a short video of what you are talking about but in the meantime, here are images and information on what I think you are talking about.

1. Remove engine compartment vertical cover.
2. Pull fan cover ring pins rearward, then turn ring to lefthand side to remove.
3. Install special tool No. 104 589 00 01 00, or equivalent, between fan clutch and pulley.
4. Remove fan clutch attaching screw, then remove fan assembly.
5. Reverse procedure to install. Torque fan clutch attaching screw to 33 ft. Lbs.

Check out the images (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

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Monday, December 26th, 2022 AT 11:09 AM

BOB CURRY

MEMBER
4 POSTS

From the exploded view of the belt/pulley system, I think the pulley labeled #21 is the pulley the viscous fan assembly is mounted. It's my granddaughter's first car and I'm (Grandpa) trying to help her fix it. I have a video of the noise and me rocking the fan and pulley on my phone, but I'm not sure how to send it to anything but another mobile phone number. Please advise.

Thanks for the info.

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Monday, December 26th, 2022 AT 12:52 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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Sure use the link the says, "ADD IMAGE OR VIDEO" directly below the textbox in your response, please allow time for the video to upload because it is a large file size. Let me know how it goes.

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Tuesday, December 27th, 2022 AT 11:56 AM

BOB CURRY

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Thanks Ken. With the info you sent I was able to determine that the cooling fan threaded directly on to the belt driven water pump pulley. It must be worn pump bearing. I will replace water pump assembly.

Oddly, I did not see any coolant leaking from front of pump bearing, just a wobbly shaft and pulley.

Thanks for your help.
Regards, Bob C.

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Tuesday, December 27th, 2022 AT 8:31 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,643 POSTS

Yep, sometimes that happens, the bearing will go out but not leak. Here are the instructions on how to replace the water pump in case you need them. Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

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