Radiator fan removal

[naika]

Hi,
I tried to do my timing belt this weekend and I couldn't remove the fan of the water pump.
I know it is left threaded and I tried to turn it clockwise when facing the car (as indicated on Pelican and Bentley manual) but it wouldgo anywhere.
Is there a trick to hold the pulley while trying to remove the fan with the 32mm open wrench?
I tried to hit the wrench with a rubber mallet and hold the alternator but the belt slipped ont he pulley.

Anybody can help?

Thanks

Franck

[wayfast]

i just jammed a screwdriver in between the pulleys and it worked

[naika]

i just jammed a screwdriver in between the pulleys and it worked

You mean between the bolts that hold the pulley?
I tried but I guess I couldn't hold it well by myself

Any other ideas?

[cochran]

Fan removal

There are two ways to do this.

1. Remembering that it is left-threaded, put the wrench on the nut and hit the wrench AS HARD AS YOU CAN, REPEATEDLY until the nut breaks loose. This is difficult to do, but voice of experience says it works.

2. Get the tool (or make one) that you bolt on the front of the fan to hold it still.

When I did mine, I couldn't get it loose, so I ordered the tool. While waiting for the tool to come in, I gave it one more try and it broke loose. I have the tool now, but for what? Maybe another E30 later.

WARNING: BE CAREFUL WITH WEDGING THINGS BETWEEN PULLEYS. During my removal, I tried to hold everything still by wedging a pulley with a jack handle (tire tool). Not only did this not work, I broke an edge off of my crank pulley. It hasn't caused any major issues and doesn't chew up belts, but I did break the pulley.

[nando]

you guys make this so hard.

put the wrench on there. smack it with a hammer.. done.

[naika]

you guys make this so hard.

put the wrench on there. smack it with a hammer.. done.

Yeah, I kinda tried that but it didn't work for me, even after a good load of PB blaster sprayed on it.

I did think about the tool that bolts on actually. I might try to drill a hole in a piece of metal, bolt it on and hold it while I hit the wrench. I have a buddy comin to help so it should be much easier if it is the two of us.
Thanks for the help