What did you do to / for your E53 today??

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by X5M-ISH

Don’t forget to use the super long flat-head screwdriver trick to bust that 32 mm nut loose.

Do tell....

But... before you do, I should point out that the water pump on my M57 diesel is nothing like the water pump on either the M54 or M62/N62 engines.... the M57 water pump has a round boss with two flats, so you can hold it with a regular wrench....

[EODguy]

Originally Posted by wpoll

the M57 water pump has a round boss with two flats, so you can hold it with a regular wrench....

Now you're just rubbing salt in it for fun

Sent from my SM-A730F using Tapatalk

[X5M-ISH]

Originally Posted by wpoll

I should point out you can hold it with a regular wrench....

Lucky you. Most BMW’s that I have owned require using a long flat head to pin/hold the assembly in place at two of the three smaller bolts while counter-leveraging/torquing in the opposite direction to break the 32 mm loose.

[andrewwynn]

Most the cars I've worked on smack the 32mm with a big hammer and get it to break loose no need to hold the clutch.

https://youtu.be/lozXFFwfok8

[deepblonde]

Originally Posted by wpoll

Just bought this bad boy...



My X5 has developed a bad engine rumble/whine when cold (and it's cold here!) that goes away once the engine warms up. I can also hear the viscous fan coupling run-on once I turn off the (warmed-up) engine and the coupling bearings sound like crap. I'm going to pull the coupling (and fan) off and drive the car to see if that's the culprit (pretty sure it is). Will remove belts and check all pulleys/tensioners etc. too, while I'm in there. Water pump, alternator and power-steering are also possibilities but I'll start with the easy items first!!

That bad boy will fit your oil filter housing too...

[Bucephalus]

On the fan clutch; clockwise to come off (wap it), counter to go on.


Might as well repl the thermostat n housing if it's the brittle original.


I think the tensioner bolts were 17mm ) a/c tensioner bolt is sorta hidden...

[Bucephalus]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

Wrap some tape around the nut. Hold fan by a blade in the right place and pull the tape like starting a lawn mower

That is slick!

[wpoll]

Thanks all - great tips!

But in the end it was a non-event. It wasn't very tight - the fan boss undid easily and just spun off by turning the fan blade.

I pulled the rad shroud and removed all the belts, checked all the tensioners/idlers etc. Checked for any play on the water pump, alternator and power steering pulleys/shafts - all good. As was the belt - like new.

And I found my noise - the viscous coupling is pooched. Check out this video...

https://youtu.be/kdhRraCZorA

So I've put it all back together, sans the mech fan and coupling. Boy, is it quiet now, esp. when I shut it down. Instant silence - whereas before there was the grinding of buggered bearings for about 3 seconds after shut down as the fan wound down.

As it's winter and I know the aux fan is working, I'll run with no mech fan for a bit but I'll watch the KTMP value like a hawk. Thermostat is an 88DegC. unit, so engine runs pretty cool most of the time

Debating the pros and cons of converting to an all electric setup - the cost of the coupling is similar to that of an electric conversion. Will sleep on it.... for quite a few nights.

[andrewwynn]

You really don't need to hawk eye the temp too much once you verify the elec fan kicks on as it is supposed to.

Warm up the car and turn on the AC then sit while idling it usually just takes a few minutes before the temp gets warm enough for the elec fan to engage.

You usually can hear from the cabin.

I'm planning to take my mech fans off next winter instead of blocking the fan with cardboard

[Crowz]

I bought the "bmw" tool for removing the fan blade from the water pump. I use it about 1/2 the time and just hit a wrench with a hammer the other times.

Takes to long lining the tool up with the bolt heads on the pulley best I remember.