HELP!! SEIZED FAN CLUTCH BOLT...

[Bmwtvboy]

Started taking apart the 3.0 motor to get the vanos system out. BUT, I can't get the fan clutch off. It seems that the bolt is seized and the wrench keeps popping off when I whack with the hammer. The water pump tool is tricky to setup too, but I got it to hold the pump. The way I see it; I have to cut the shroud in half below the radiator clips and then remove the two pieces and unbolt the four screws from the clutch fan. Then I can start vanos system removal for seal replacement. Can I get away with only a secured top half
shroud? Any ideas on how to get this bolt loose? YES, I am loosening
to the right. Thanks in advance. I hope the vanos goes easier.

[oldskewel]

Assuming you're doing everything right, here's a tip that might help enough to get it loose:

The spec is to use a 32mm open end wrench. A 1-1/4" wrench is just a little tighter = 31.75mm. That slight difference with a good quality wrench may make the contact firm enough that it pops loose when you whack it.

EDIT - is this the fan nut you're talking about? Reading again, I see you say fan clutch bolt. It's always the fan nut that is tricky.

[Joshdub]

Just to double check, you know how fan nut is reverse threaded right?

[squidzilla]

My fan bolt on my e46 would not budge so I carefully climbed on top of the engine and put both feet on the wrench and bounced on it a bit. Made it come loose.

[RFaber]

Never under estimate the power of a bit of penetrating oil squirted in the right area!
I concur with the 1 1/4" wrench, but i also took my wrench and ground it a bit thinner. (found that the wrench was a bit thick!) then I use the pulley holding tool to hold things in place, and put it under some tension, then wack it with my steel face hammer. for what ever reason, a rubber mallet impact seems to be absorbed by the wrench. the sharp crack of the metal on metal seems to jar the fan clutch loose! I've had a few that have been rather tough to break free, but with some persistence it can be done!
Best of luck!

[80stech]

There is a post or video somewhere that shows a guy giving a whack on an angle more towards the pump shaft, I think it might work if it's really seized but might also bend the water pump shaft.

[RFaber]

Another point to be mindful of is the pulley is made from plastic, it doesn't take well to twisting or other off axis forces (greatly multiplied by using wrenches as levers etc) so be careful when you manipulate the wrench / holder so you don't break the pulley! Unless you need a reason to upgrade to an alloy one!

[nickt5174]

Originally Posted by Joshdub

Just to double check, you know how fan nut is reverse threaded right?

+1

[Kala]

50% ATF + 50% acetone. Any (red) ATF works. Store in a glass or metal container. I keep some handy in a glass eye dropper bottle.

[Bmwtvboy]

Thanks everyone. But strangely got it loose with the help of an ex airplane mechanic. I removed the airbox/intake, upper rad hose and then fashioned a piece of wood to rest on the front steel subframe tube to aid in keeping the pulley wrench stable. And while she held that in place I used brute force to pull the clutch free. The hammer whacking didn't seem to do it. SO, I just completed the vanos rebuild and I am ready to button it all up.Waiting for the new plugs to arrive today. I'll try to figure out picture loads. Thanks again.