Getting Fan Nut Loose on 3L

[razorboy]

Hey guys,

Worst job ever!
Been mucking with this for hours to replace my waterpump.
Should have known it would be hell when I saw how simple the pump looked.

I am finally at the point of being able to wrench on the fan nut after fabbing my own holder tool but it is solid!

I read that the rotation is clockwise for these fan nuts or reverse thread as we would say. Torque is supposed to be 22 foot pounds but I just laid an easy 100 into that nut and no go.

First I need to confirm that it is clockwise to loosen?

Secondly, do these things routinely seize themselves on?

Can honestly say that as easy as this job looks on the outside, it is one of the biggest pains in the butt I have ever encountered.

Get the proper locking tools or just take it in. I suspect that BMW just hauls everything off the front to do this job.

Thanks guys.
Sitting here researching and looking for an answer to this.

B

[tmv]

Originally Posted by razorboy

...

First I need to confirm that it is clockwise to loosen? <- Yes, reverse thread. Facing the SAV, rotate clockwise to loosen.

Secondly, do these things routinely seize themselves on? <- None of them ever seize on me. Try to give it some sudden blow with a hammer. It doesn't hurt to spray some WD40 on it.

Can honestly say that as easy as this job looks on the outside, it is one of the biggest pains in the butt I have ever encountered.

Get the proper locking tools or just take it in. I suspect that BMW just hauls everything off the front to do this job. <-I got the proper holder and 32mm wrench

Thanks guys.
Sitting here researching and looking for an answer to this.

B

They cover the job in here Beisan Systems - Procedures - Double Vanos Procedure
Good Luck.

[razorboy]

Well it all broke.

What a great way to end this crap day.
The plastic pulley broke and so did the tool I made.
Can't believe it.

I can only guess that it's seized somehow from elements or some other reason.

I went clockwise or to the right facing the truck. Just wouldn't budge.

[ProfessorX5]

Dang, sorry to hear it. I wonder if it's okay to put anti-seize compound on the threads.

[razorboy]

Originally Posted by ProfessorX5

Dang, sorry to hear it. I wonder if it's okay to put anti-seize compound on the threads.

Thanks,

Really disappointed about this.
Didn't try to piss around with a screwdriver or anything. Made a tool that worked and should have been plenty strong enough. It just wouldn't budge.

Took long enough to figure it all out too which is salt in the wound. Have done hundreds of repairs to all kinds of cars and bikes. To this day, this stands as one of the biggest pains I have ever gone through. No room to work, everything in the way. Damn it's brutal.

I guess the good news is that I am replacing the waterpump so it doesn't really matter what happens to this one. I had soaked it in WD40 too which didn't help. The only option now is to try and get my propane torch on that nut to heat it up and expand it a bit. First I need to now fabricate another tool and I am going to smash off what's left of that pulley to give myself more room between the fan blades and the waterpump itself.

Bummer

[BMWX5CHI]

You may have to buy the fan clutch tools (Only $27.49 + Free Shipping) to remove the fan as mines was pretty stuck. After a bunch of cursing and 2 pipes to get more leverage on the fan tool and wrench, it took me about 30 min to remove with the tools. Others have had luck and took the fan off quickly so I guess it depends how ''stuck'' it is. Here's the link if you decided your going to use the tools - BMW Fan Clutch Nut Wrench and Water Pump Holder Tool Kit EB0033 | eBay

Good Luck.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by BMWX5CHI

You may have to buy the fan clutch tools (Only $27.49 + Free Shipping) to remove the fan as mines was pretty stuck. After a bunch of cursing and 2 pipes to get more leverage on the fan tool and wrench, it took me about 30 min to remove with the tools. Others have had luck and took the fan off quickly so I guess it depends how ''stuck'' it is. Here's the link if you decided your going to use the tools - BMW Fan Clutch Nut Wrench and Water Pump Holder Tool Kit EB0033 | eBay

Good Luck.

I brought my tools, both the wrench and holder at the local weekend flea market for $15.00. The guy had several of these tools. Used it several time with never any problem with removing the fan clutch. I think that someone must have cross threaded the fan clutch the last time it was removed

[razorboy]

It's conceiveable that it's messed up.

The thing is, even with the proper tools which I have made a copy of, you can't even get your hand up there properly to thread the bolts back in. Five hours later and I am nowhere with this repair.

What an epic fail!

Why do they even need the damn nut on the clutch fan anyway? Most clutch fans are simply held on with the four bolts.

Yeeeesh!

[RFaber]

Wow, sounds like you have the mother of all fan clutches! Patience, and a rubber mallet, place the holder tool on the two pulley bolts, I usually aim it towards the passenger side at about 45 degrees. then I place the wrench (32 mm, 34mm or 36mm I cant recall) straight up and take my rubber mallet and give it a tap or three (it is a clock wise thread. so tap the wrench towards the driver side! I use a bit of antiseize on the threads and spin it on by hand and once its started (5 or 6 rotations) I tightened it up to spec. (22ft pounds or a good snugging up but no grunting!!)
Its a PITA job, once its off you may want to have a closer look at the threads and see if they were cross threaded. either use a thread file to repair them, or get a new pulley (if i read it right, youre gonna need a new pulley anyway ) Make sure the new pulley fits on the old fan and maybe put on a bit of antisieze on too!
the water pump is reasonably easy once you get the fan off! might as well change out the belts too while youre in there, catch as much of the coolant coming out of the engine block and dispose of it properly (i gather you drained the rad prior!!??)
installation will be dramatically easier and almost anticlimatic judging by how your day went!
All the best!

Note, I broke the first pulley holding tool I made too, ended up buying the correct hardened tool! it really made a difference! I can use it on other vehicles too!

[Brandon002]

I have always (never failed) with this method.

Soak with PBlaster, let sit for about 2 hours.
Put large wrench on nut
Cover any area that can be damaged with a folded towel
Smack large wrench with a mini sledge

One good whack is all it has ever taken.