Second Hand Mercedes-Benz CLK Radiator Fan

The CLK ran across two generations: the W208 (1997–2002) and the W209 (2002–2009, facelifted 2005), and these are quite different cars structurally, so a fan from the W208 is very unlikely to be a direct swap onto a W209. Even within the same generation, the more important factor is whether the engine codes match, since fan assemblies are sized and rated to the engine rather than the body. Tell the breaker your registration and engine code – found on your V5 or a VIN check – and they can confirm compatibility properly.

Yes, the CLK does have a radiator fan, though the type fitted depends on the engine: most petrol CLKs use a viscous-coupled mechanical fan driven off the front of the engine, while some variants use an electric auxiliary fan alongside it. Diesel CLKs (such as those with the OM646 or OM648 engine codes) can have a different fan arrangement again. Knowing your engine code is the quickest way to establish exactly which type of fan your car has, so have that ready when contacting a breaker.

Trim level – whether that's Elegance, Avantgarde, or the AMG Sport/full AMG variants – has no bearing on radiator fan fitment for standard engine variants; the fan follows the engine, not the badge. The exception worth flagging is the high-output AMG engines (such as the CLK 55 AMG or CLK 63 AMG), which have different engine codes and may use a different cooling setup entirely, so those should be treated separately. As long as the engine codes match, trim differences like interior spec or body styling are irrelevant to whether the fan will fit.

Both years sit within the W209 generation, and the W209 received a facelift in 2005 that was primarily cosmetic, so the engine codes on the CLK 320 (M112) remained consistent across this period. That said, ancillary and mounting details can sometimes change quietly mid-production, so while the engine match is a promising sign, you should confirm the specific part against your registration with the breaker before purchasing. Giving the breaker both the donor car's registration and your own is the safest approach.

Engine code is the most important factor – if the codes match, fans from across the W209 generation (2002–2009) are likely to be closely related – but year can still matter because mounting brackets or ancillary connections occasionally changed during a production run. The 2005 facelift didn't alter engines, but it's still worth confirming mid-range build-date compatibility with the breaker rather than assuming any W209 fan is a guaranteed fit. Supply your registration and engine code to the breaker and ask them to cross-reference the donor vehicle's details.

Fuel type directly affects the fan fitted, because diesel and petrol engines in the CLK have different cooling demands, different engine bay layouts, and different engine codes, meaning the fan assemblies are generally not interchangeable. A diesel CLK such as a 220 CDI or 270 CDI will have a different fan specification to a petrol 200K or 320, even if the cars look identical from the outside. Always match on engine code rather than model name, and confirm the swap is viable with the breaker against both registrations.