Confidence lost......

[jdc1687]

I just bought a 91 NSX that needs to have the timing belt changed, and have been planning on doing it myself. I'd like to think I can turn a wrench, and the belt service seems very straight forward.

Well.. That was until this afternoon..

About a month ago my M3's water pump died, and I replaced it. In order to do this you have to take out the main radiator fan, and a whole bunch of plastic housings. No real problems, other than the fact that I can't bleed the heater system because of the stupid electronic controls. Anyway.

Today, I was trying to get the air out of the system and noticed that EVERY SINGLE BLADE of the main radiator fan was broken off. I'm like WT#. The car isn't overheating, as it has a backup fan and it hasn't been that hot. I haven't figured out what exactly happened, but I think the plastic housing that surrounds the fan isn't on quite right.

I had hurried the reinstallation of these parts and this shroud didn't "feel" quite right, but to adjust it I would have had to drain the whole system again and it seemed "well enough".

Well, it wasn't well enough.. crap.

So... I have a fan with no blades..
-Jer

 

[LJSB]

I'm surprised there wasn't any noise when the fan blades hit the shroud to alert you of the problem. Weird to break off all the blades like that.

 

[Dave Hardy]

Don't sweat it. We all make mistakes. You've identified your mistakes (rushed it, said "good enough"). Don't repeat your mistakes, mark it up to that ever so valueable commodity of experience, and carry on.

 

[steveny]

I had an X-5 4.4 and the entire fan was not rotating. This went on for months until the BMW service center brought it to my attention. My X-5 NEVER overheated either. Strange?

 

[drew]

I find my wifes E36 M3 to be pretty crappy to work on.

Trying to track down a bouncy tach + ASC light. What enjoyment.

The DME (ECU) is stuffed in the engine compartment. Just like Ford. Wonderful, who the F thought of that?

Broken rear shock mounts (common issue)

And jacking the car up is a an easy ELEVEN STEP process.

I'm extremely impressed how they make minimal effort/materials perform so well. The underdash wiring harness is just one big mess of wires---no discrete wiring harness. Real nice. However, the connectors are very good, probably how they can get away with the rats nest...

Drew