How to take the fan clutch off on M50?

[bigtisas]

I borrowed a 32mm wrench a friend. Facing the car, should I turn the wrench clockwise or counter clockwise? I tried both but the belt just keep moving not the 32mm bolt. What am I doing wrong?

Thanks.

[DaveVoorhis]

Clockwise, i.e., opposite to the usual direction for loosening a bolt. A sharp wrap with a heavy hammer (a 5lb sledge is good) on the handle of the wrench will normally loosen it. Pushing on the wrench will just make the belt slip.

[bigtisas]

I tried hitting the wrench handle clockwise with a hammer several times. no luck. Just sprayed some WD40 to the bolt. Will try gain soon. Thanks.

[Freddie Sykes]

Try wedging a long screwdriver in the water pump belt/pulley, holding on tight, and giving the wrench a jerk with the other hand. I didn't think mine was going to come loose either but eventually it did. Also, cursing loudly, preferably in German, has the same effect as PB Blaster or WD-40.

[snopro67]

You'll probably need one of these:
http://www.bavauto.com

Part Number Description Price
115050 Tool - Fan Pulley Holder $39.95

[bigtisas]

Still can't loose that thing. Have been cursing loudly volkswagan and Heineken (the only German words I know).

[brick8]

clockwise when standing in front of the car looking into the engine bay?

[bigtisas]

Yes, I might need it. Thanks for the info.

[nizmainiac]

i always use two big pairs of water pump pliers against each other, one for the nut and one for the pulley, works every time, don't forget that it's a left hand thread

[DaveVoorhis]

clockwise when standing in front of the car looking into the engine bay?
Bigger hammer needed, and a ringing whack on the wrench handle like you really mean it.

[632 Regal]

http://www.bimmer.info/%7Eregal632/Fan%20removal%20tool.jpg

[bigtisas]

After whacking the wrench handle clockwise with a hammer about 30 times over an hour and a lot of WD40, the nut finally came off. Then I am able to replace the thermostat. Thanks everyone.

[Jon K]

Good job.

[632 Regal]

a lot of whacking usually gets the job done :D Thats why sluts were made.


After whacking the wrench handle clockwise with a hammer about 30 times over an hour and a lot of WD40, the nut finally came off. Then I am able to replace the thermostat. Thanks everyone.

[Yaninnya]

Have been cursing loudly volkswagan and Heineken (the only German words I know).
Next time try "scheise!" or "donnerwetter!". :D ;)
Jan

[billb]

...so that I don't have to bang them off. Took a couple of minutes on my buddy's M52 yesterday, but then it came right off (Crescent wrench and a ball-peen hammer)

[Montreal525]

Heineken is Dutch...;) but it's O.K., and if you have an M50 engine, why on earth would you want to remove the fan clutch to change the thermostat?? I've done it twice and all I did was take the fan off the clutch... There's enough room to work leaving the fan clutch on... Much easier that way...

Jeff

[Jon K]

Taking the fan off the clutch severely sucks - You have to wiggly your hand between the fan blades and the radiator - most usually scraping your hand up pretty good. They're hex bolts and all that **** - just take the fan clutch off w/ teh fan.

[Dave M]

Taking the fan off the clutch severely sucks - You have to wiggly your hand between the fan blades and the radiator - most usually scraping your hand up pretty good. They're hex bolts and all that **** - just take the fan clutch off w/ teh fan.


Agreed, wouldn't even consider messin with that.

[rob101]

Taking the fan off the clutch severely sucks - You have to wiggly your hand between the fan blades and the radiator - most usually scraping your hand up pretty good. They're hex bolts and all that **** - just take the fan clutch off w/ teh fan.
i found it more sucky putting it back on, for some reason you have to go clockwise until the nut bites onto the water pump thread then anti-clockwise. you can't just go anti-clockwise it just doesn't bite for some reason.

[Montreal525]

Taking the fan off the clutch severely sucks - You have to wiggly your hand between the fan blades and the radiator - most usually scraping your hand up pretty good. They're hex bolts and all that **** - just take the fan clutch off w/ teh fan.

Seriously, it takes me about 30 seconds to get the shroud out and then 2 minutes for the bolts.... I've removed it about 5 times now for various repairs, no blood was shed.... And I have good size hands...

Jeff