engine and drivetrain Fan Chewed Radiator?

[Eamonn Lundy]

So I just bought a '76 2002 and today while pulling away from my house I heard some bad clanking noises and pulled over to check and make sure everything was ok... it wasn't. It appears that the fan actually somehow hit the radiator and did some pretty serious damage. In two places on the radiator the fins are ripped apart and coolant is spilling out of them at a pretty high rate. Any ideas on what happened here? Is it going to be just replacing the radiator or is it going to be a bigger deal than that? Thanks for any help. 

[Chamonix72]

Worn out motor mounts and transmission mount bushings are the first places to look.

[Eamonn Lundy]

Thank you I'll take a look and see what I'm working with.

[mikebontoft]

Also check your fan clutch for play. Assuming it actually does have one and whatnot (hey, you never know and I actually haven't even looked at mine). Mine got pushed into the radiator too, but it didn't penetrate. Just left me with a bunch of blocked off fins.

[Chamonix72]

Stock 02 does not have a clutch-type fan. It is bolted directly to the water pump.

[mikebontoft]

Stock 02 does not have a clutch-type fan. It is bolted directly to the water pump.

good to know.

Then check your water pump for play.

[Eamonn Lundy]

Will do guys. Thanks for the help I'll get back on here once I've had a chance to check everything out.

[Buckeye]

Worn out motor mounts and transmission mount bushings are the first places to look.

+1

And before tightening the right hand engine mounting bolt, set stop to provide a gap of 3.0mm

Also check following link;

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/topic/138299-what-is-clearance-between-radiator-and-cooling-fan/?hl=engine+right+hand+mount#entry7904

Credit to c.d. iesel for the illustrations

Edited September 10, 2013 by Buckeye

[M3M3]

Worn out motor mounts and transmission mount bushings are the first places to look.

+2

this is your problem. 

[Eamonn Lundy]

So I got it into a mechanic and he says it looks like the water pump went and caused the issue. He's gunna look closer but before I brought it to him I snooped around and all the engine and trans mounts look fine. Thanks for all the help but I'm gunna let him do his thing. Where can I get a good manual for this thing?

[AceAndrew]

 I snooped around and all the engine and trans mounts look fine. Thanks for all the help but I'm gunna let him do his thing. Where can I get a good manual for this thing?

 

What was your basis of testing to determine they were "fine".  I highly doubt it was the water pump.

 

Factory manual in pdf form is in the

"FAQ Articles Construction Zone"

[M3M3]

+1

"looks" don't mean much unless they are in extremis. gotta get in there with a pry bar and see if the mounts can be moved.  and which side of the fan hit the radiator? (left or right)

 

if it was the waterpump or the fan blade not bolted on all the way you could just grab it and move the fan by hand in and out.  did you try that?

 

and a novel idea....do a search on "fan hit radiator".  many threads on this same question popped up when i just entered that seach.

Edited September 10, 2013 by mlytle

[73touring]

Theres a little L shaped stop plate that attaches to one of the motor mounts to stop the engine moving forward during hard braking, yours might be missing. Mine is. Have one ready to fit when I get my touring back. Ive been through a 2 radiators over the years for this reason.