Cooling Fan Removal

[MantecaBMW]

I tried to get this thing off last night, but the darn belt kept slipping and the pully kept turning.

Is there any way to hold the pully in place to get this off without having to go to the dealer for their special tool?

Also, it seems this pully is somewhat fragile...I believe it's a cast piece that is subject to breaking rather than bending. I need to replace as i dropped my wrench on it and it took a chip out of the back edge. Should this thing be that soft?

[John in CT]

I just took mine off, after giving Sears almost 30 bucks for the 32mm open end wrench!! I whacked it with a rubber mallet (clockwise looking from the front) and it loosened right up. It then takes about six additional turns to get it off. If you need to borrow the 32mm wrench and are in Connecticut, give me a ring,

Good luck,

John in CT
1995 525i

[bimmerd00d]

yes, remember it's a REVERSE THREADED nut, meaning you loosen it how you'd normally tighten it. A few wacks with a rubber mallet should get it done.

[e34bim]

is this a surpintine belt?? only one belt does the lot??

[John in CT]

Whoops, my advice was for my car, a six cylinder. I'm not sure about the 3.0 liter V-8 but you can check the workshop manual to be sure,

John

[e34bim]

If it is then you don't Need to remove the fan, find the tentioner and pull in a clockwise motion to release the tension

[tim]

If whacking it doesnt work, loosen the tensioner and move the belt to the side off the pulley. Then get a strap wrench and tighten it over the pulley. Then do a push pull with the wrench to loosen it.

[632 Regal]

you need one of these deals.

http://www.bimmer.info/~632regal/Fan%20removal%20tool.jpg

[e34bim]

yep just checked the data and it is a surpintine belt so its a simple jobe but ensure you route it the right way ( make a scetch of it as its on for replacement

[e34bim]

a long spanner will do

[PatrickPGH]

The 32 mm open ended wrench will work on the V8 as well. If you haven't bought it yet, you can also get a 1 1/4 inch wrench that is the equivalent size. Advanced Auto Parts had one for $14.00


I just took mine off, after giving Sears almost 30 bucks for the 32mm open end wrench!! I whacked it with a rubber mallet (clockwise looking from the front) and it loosened right up. It then takes about six additional turns to get it off. If you need to borrow the 32mm wrench and are in Connecticut, give me a ring,

Good luck,

John in CT
1995 525i

[JonE]

There is a bicycle repair/parts place on line that sells a 32mm open ended thin wrench that worked well for taking off my fan clutch. I think it cost me all of about $5 for that wrench. As stated above, a few good wacks in the "righty loosy" direction will usually free it up. I did have to jam a crow bar under the belt on my 325 in order to keep the belt from spinning. Otherwise, you'll have to get one of Jeff's (632 Regal)orc blades or make one to hold that thing from spinning. I've also heard that that strap wrench can work.
Good luck.

[MantecaBMW]

Thanks everyone for your comments. I have the right wrench, it's just keeping the pulley from spinning that's the problem. I'll try a strap wrench, but it looks like I'll be making one of Jeff's custom tools. Seems simple enough to slip over one of the pulley bolts and press against the next one over. And since I'm replacing the pulley, it doesn't really matter how "friendly" I am with the old one.

[tim]

[QUOTE=JonE]There is a bicycle repair/parts place on line that sells a 32mm open ended thin wrench that worked well for taking off my fan clutch. QUOTE]

Here's that bike wrench from Park Bicycle

[tim]

Personally, I prefer the strap wrench since I'm not as handy as Jeff and I'm always afraid it'll go flying and scratch something.

BTW here's a pic of my dog savagely attacking the mailman today.

[632 Regal]

the pully is "plastic" and doesnt like vice grips holding it, thats what prompted the modified tool.

[e34bim]

its a serp belt chaps not a standard v belt simple job but remember the routing

[tim]

here's my strap wrench, with a rubber strap. This is not the kind that you use for oil filters and the like.