Before anyone says search, I have.

I've been sadly trying to remove the fan on my car for TWO days. I've built a WP pulley holder from aluminum and managed to rip it in two, then I tried a strap wrench - didn't help at all. I've tried various ways of tensioning the belt and banging on the 2ft wrench with a 5lb sledge and the belt mostly just slips on the crank pulley.

Yes, I'm turning it clockwise from the front of the car as per the Bentley manual.

I'm kinda at my wit's end, and am about to give up - but if anybody else has a different technique to try, let me know.


To give you a perspective, the fan tool I built had me holding myself up by it and the 2ft wrench(fan tool was ~3ft long), and everything is REALLY rusted around there. So any solutions better be able to give ALOT of torque to this sucker.

I think I need to start drinking and get some beer muscles for this sucker! :eek:

get a hack saw or a recipocating saw with a metal blade.

Cut into the nut.

If needed you can use a high speed wheel to split the nut if needed.

Sometimes a o2 wrench is needed. The tool of last resort.

Later,

I purchased a purpose-built pulley restraint tool from Schley. There are several brands of tool available. I had tried using a screwdriver tip w/ no success. The tool worked for me. I would also suggest soaking w/ PB Blaster or other good quality penetrating oil and allow to soak for several hours.

I added a little anti-sieze to the thread before reinstalling, and when I had to go back due to a leak around the thermostat housing (forgot a bolt on bottom side:)), the nut released quite easily.

good luck

Agree with Texas, start with some good penetrating oil. Soak it, and hit the nut with a hammer, wait a few hours and repeat. If this doesn't work, try a torch to heat the nut - have a fire extinguisher handy!

Thanks guys. I had used some WD-40 on it before, but I used about half a can and let it sit about 3-4 beers long. :D

Made a new fan tool that only grabbed one nut then let it have it. It broke with a resounding crack. Definitely felt good.


My only problem now is that either the fan hit the radiator and punctured a tube, or the vibrations from monkeying around that general area caused a tube to start leaking. Whatever it is, I've got a leaking radiator with somewhere to be tomorrow. :(

Anybody know of anyplace to get a radiator on a Sunday?

This is why buying the correct tools in the first place would save you time and money. Seriously, pelicanparts.com has the tools you needed for $50. Now you need a new radiator, which is gonna be like $180-200. (I recommend bimmerparts.com).

Anyway, there is noplace thats gonna be open on Sunday. I don't think gas stations are even open on sunday, dude. You're not in a good situation right now. Maybe you can get some JB Weld and plug up the hole. Of course, you run the risk of getting that shit into your cooling passages of the engine block.

Does anyone have a template of a WP pulley holder that I could use? I'm about to change a few things and remember the last time I took the fan off (5 CL's and lots of curseing for a 30 second job). TIA

ha, i did the same thing as you...broke 3 tools and ripped 2 pulley bolts right out from all the torque i was applying

i also cracked the pulley so after that i found out i could take the water pump nuts off and pull the pump out with the fan still attached, with the radiator removed

of course that nut is still on there, but now its out of the car so i can have some room to work with it

im going to run to the dealer tomarrow and get all the parts i need

as for nobody being open on sundays...what do you mean, most auto stores like advanced auto are open on sunday and they would have something like a radiator

one question, why are you removing the fan? fan delete or water pump replacement?

Unlikely any of those discount auto stores would have a BMW radiator.

they listed a water pump for my car, but didnt have any in stock...if they have a water pump im sure they would carry a radiator