Fan Clutch

[PeaveyBassist]

I just got a new fan clutch. Has anyone ever taken off the fan without removing anything first to get to it? I'm just curious mostly. I've taken the fan off before when we changed the timing belt, but when I did that I had all the radiator hoses and the radiator out of the car. Is there any way to get the fan off easily? If not, what did you remove to take your's off?

Will

[Dave]

Re: Fan Clutch

I just got a new fan clutch. Has anyone ever taken off the fan without removing anything first to get to it? I'm just curious mostly. I've taken the fan off before when we changed the timing belt, but when I did that I had all the radiator hoses and the radiator out of the car. Is there any way to get the fan off easily? If not, what did you remove to take your's off?

Will

I took out the radiator when I did it. It only adds a few minutes to the job - the longest part is draining the coolant.

[rs4pro3]

Undo the fan then pull the shroud and fan out, nothing else needs removed.

[aaron_silva]

Why would you remove the radiator just to replace the fan clutch?

On the M42 I was able to remove the shroud first and the got the fan out with channel locks and a screw driver.

Aaron

[hamann318is]

Why would you remove the radiator just to replace the fan clutch?

On the M42 I was able to remove the shroud first and the got the fan out with channel locks and a screw driver.

Aaron

The shroud is a pain in the ass to remove with the fan on. I like to remove the fan and shroud at the same time.

[PeaveyBassist]

The m42 has a lot more room up there than the m20 does I believe. Sorry, I shoulda been more specific. I have a '91 325i. As for the fan shroud... is it just held on by expanding rivets? I dont wanna break all of em when I pull the shroud off. Any tips on getting just the shroud off first?

Will

[AdironRider]

When I performed my timing belt replacement this weekend I noticed my shroud was held on by zipties. I wouldnt worry about breakin the little things, cause the zip ties work fine

[hamann318is]

When I performed my timing belt replacement this weekend I noticed my shroud was held on by zipties. I wouldnt worry about breakin the little things, cause the zip ties work fine

Those rivets are a pain in the ass to get back on. I used zip ties as well.

[nando]

When I performed my timing belt replacement this weekend I noticed my shroud was held on by zipties. I wouldnt worry about breakin the little things, cause the zip ties work fine

Those rivets are a pain in the ass to get back on. I used zip ties as well.

you're kidding right? I put them on with my fingers. takes like 2 seconds.

[hamann318is]

When I performed my timing belt replacement this weekend I noticed my shroud was held on by zipties. I wouldnt worry about breakin the little things, cause the zip ties work fine

Those rivets are a pain in the ass to get back on. I used zip ties as well.

you're kidding right? I put them on with my fingers. takes like 2 seconds.

Mine were impossible. I must have FUBARed them when I had them out of the car.

[PeaveyBassist]

So with the fan shroud off, I should be able to stick a screwdriver down there to hold the fan still while I loosen it from the water pump? I wont worry about the rivets, if they break I'll just use zip ties ;) Thanks guys.

Will

[nando]

So with the fan shroud off, I should be able to stick a screwdriver down there to hold the fan still while I loosen it from the water pump? I wont worry about the rivets, if they break I'll just use zip ties ;) Thanks guys.

Will

it's easier to smack your 32mm wrench once or twice with a hammer. works every time.

[PeaveyBassist]

Smacking mine with a hammer didnt work. I used a long flathead screwdriver parallel with the ground (from the p/s for removal, d/s for reinstall) to keep the bolts from turning. Then used my 32mm wrench with a pipe on the end to loosen. Same to tighten back with new clutch. Took about an hour today. Beginning was figuring out exactly what to do, I cleaned up the fan in the middle for a couple minutes too. Could easily be done in about 30-40 minutes for a novice mechanic.

Will

[Brew]

32mm wrench with a pipe on the end to loosen... Same to tighten back with new clutch.
Will

What'd you do that for? You're just making it harder on yourself or whoever works on it next.

It really doesn't need to be torqued even. The rotation of the engine/waterpump will tighten it plenty.

[PeaveyBassist]

I'm sure I will be working on it next ;) And I didnt do it till my arms hurt. Just enough to make sure it was nice and tight. I almost never torque anything. I just get it as tight as I can get it.

Will