Has anyone removed aux fan without moving rad/condensor?

[Titans86]

I've a new aux fan on the way and am trying to prepare for the RnR but haven't found a clear answer on whether I can remove it without pulling the rad like the Bentley manual suggests.

Looks like I might be able to remove it from the bottom if I displace the (what I think is) an oil cooler.

Also, I've confirmed that the the fan receives 12volts before and after the resistor. Fan blades wont spin freely when forced by hand.

I'm hoping I can, I hate replacing coolant.

UPDATE
Oh man what a disaster it was. On my vehicle there are three brackets holding the fan which are roughly 120deg apart, this made any kind of drop through the bottom impossible without bending a bracket backwards out of the way. I was lucky that I didn't break a bracket while bending it because they are laser welded to the body/condenser. I decided to bend the bottom left most bracket backwards.

I was also unable to bring the electric fan in front of the brackets for the center post of the fan is literally 5mm from the steel support located behind the bumper (plastic bumper on my '89).

My warning to anyone who wants a clean remove and replace, go through the hood and pull out the radiator.

[Tim-sutherland]

I'm guessing you have an m20 since there's tons of room on an m42.

I pulled the fan and condenser on my 325i with a lot of wiggling to get it over the oil cooler without removing anything else. If you just remove the fan itself it should be easy.

Tim

[cabriodster87]

I've done it, just let the cooler hang down out of the way.

[nrubenstein]

Or just delete the cooler while you are at it since it doesn't really do anything other than make it a lot harder to change the oil.

[jeffnhiscars]

Or just delete the cooler while you are at it since it doesn't really do anything other than make it a lot harder to change the oil.

My understanding was that circulation to the cooler is controlled by a tstat so not seeing what it has to do with an oil change

[Titans86]

I'm guessing you have an m20 since there's tons of room on an m42.

I pulled the fan and condenser on my 325i with a lot of wiggling to get it over the oil cooler without removing anything else. If you just remove the fan itself it should be easy.

Tim

Oh man what a disaster it was. On my vehicle there are three brackets roughly 120deg apart which made any kind of drop through the bottom impossible without bending a bracket backwards out of the way. I was lucky that I didn't break a bracket while bending it because they are laser welded to the body/condenser.

I was also unable to bring the electric fan in front of the brackets for the center post of the fan is literally 5mm from the steel support located behind the bumper (plastic bumper on my '89).

My warning to anyone who wants a clean remove and replace, go through the hood and pull out the radiator.

[McGyver]

or do it the correct way and remove your front bumper and valence...

[Tim-sutherland]

Oh yeah, I guess I didn't think I needed to mention I took off the valance and bumper, they're easy and the fan is right there.

Tim