Replace OEM Radiator Fans With Alternatives - Anyone done it?

[The Dude]

Hi Guys,

I had a high temp/coolant overflow issue a few weeks back and have traced the issue to both radiator fans having bung motors. The smaller fan had neither high or low speeds and the larger one only running on high. This thread was very helpful by the way and is highly recommended.

Great information on the site yet again.

I've pulled the fans and opened the motors on both. The Resistors are burnt out on both and the smaller fan has melted internals. These OEM fans are really a poor design. A lot of juice to them and a lot of heat through a bad design resistor when they run on low speed. That's very inefficient.

I could replace them with OEM but I'm wondering if anyone has replace their fans with something else?

I don't want to throw good money away and have this issue again. I'm surprised these fans have failed on a 4 yr old car as it doesn't seem to be that common a fault (in spite of the design). Maybe the previous owner sat in a lot of gridlock or used the A/C all the time.

[Smileybug]

I replaced my dead fan a number of years ago with one from GermanAutoParts.com. $134 for the big fan (which is the one that failed). No issues in 5 years since. And the other fan is still fine. I use my A/C quite often, living in the hot and humid Southeastern US (We're on track for this to be the hottest summer on record this year even...lots of 90 degree+ days. Ick).

[70autostick]

Ive replaced both fans within 6 months of each other. I'd just stick with the original design.

If there are any issues with the 2.0, its NOT overheating, besides the plasic impellar on the water pump.

[qenex]

I bought mine from ebay and had zero issues with it. The dealer wanted $500+ for the assembly. No thank you.



VW NEW BEETLE 98 99 00 01 02 03 - 05 RADIATOR FAN NEW: eBay Motors (item 110580535433 end time Sep-30-10 15:59:53 PDT)

[The Dude]

I've repaired the large one and I have it running on both speeds again. The smaller one is giving me issues but I'll keep trying.

Thanks for the ebay link. I saw that listing. You know the crazy thing is I could get that shipped to me in New Zealand and even with the Dollar conversion rate it would still be cheaper than what my dealer wants for 1 fan!!

People are slow to learn about the World Wide Web. I've been buying all of my Bug parts from ebay so far. We get so ripped off in NZ by dealerships (Not just VW - I also own a Harley, same deal.)

[Fl_bug]

Originally Posted by The Dude

I've repaired the large one and I have it running on both speeds again. The smaller one is giving me issues but I'll keep trying.

Thanks for the ebay link. I saw that listing. You know the crazy thing is I could get that shipped to me in New Zealand and even with the Dollar conversion rate it would still be cheaper than what my dealer wants for 1 fan!!

People are slow to learn about the World Wide Web. I've been buying all of my Bug parts from ebay so far. We get so ripped off in NZ by dealerships (Not just VW - I also own a Harley, same deal.)

You should try a search on ECStuning . Click the first link in my signature and do a search there