Is it necessary to remove fan to replace belts and pulleys on 4.4 n62 engine
 

Hi,

I need to replace the all the a/c/alternator/waterpump pulleys, tensioners and belts on a 2005 4.4 (n62 engine). Is it necessary to remove the engine fan for this task?

Thanks for any pointers.

BMW 4.4 X5 sports 80k miles.

Yeah, otherwise you'll never have the room to work. The fan clutch is 32m and reverse thread.

Hi! I think I need to remove my tenioners also. Can you tell me what your problems are? I get a tremble when I turn on the air conditioning and I hear a fan with tape stuck in it sound when it is idlying.

I'm out in Kenmore and have all the tools you could ever need if you'd like some assistance..will work for bitch beer and food :thumbup:

Weasel is correct it's easier to take the fan off but I've seen snapshots of someone who can do it w/o taking the fan, first loosen the tensioners and remove the serpentine from pulleys then wigle it out in between the shroud and fan (this is possible since the serpentine belt diameter is bigger than the fan), the A/C belt should be easier once the tensioner is loose. I assume you are replacing onlythe belts (not the WP, alternator etc) or take James offer on help, GL.

so when did bmw do away with the fan clutch and fan blades. I only say this because my 05 x5 n62 came with an electric fan. Changed the belt, belt tensioner, and idler pulley shortly after purchase and only had to take off a top plastic cover and the skid plate.

A special tool is required to replace the A/C belt
 

Yes definately remove the Fan housing. It's not very difficult. You will also need a special tool to replace the A/C belt. Its a stretch belt so it does not use an adjustable tensioner. I purchased the little tool online. It was hard to find a couple of years ago when I got mine, and expensive. I would also replace all the pulleys except perhaps the alternator pulley if I were changing the drivebelt. They are all plastic. Definately replace the belt tensioner as it will be a weak link for a new belt and likely fail after a week or two. The drivebelt pulley/tensioner replacement is tricky. I actually broke my first one! This video is very helpful. Here is also a picture of the tool.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=...44839137518163

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0dfHy09npo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3x_vuT9XQbE

^Special tool? Should be just some various sockets and a torx bit or two.

I did the belts/tensioners on my 05 4.4i in a couple of hours... including removing the electric fan assembly and shrouds. It gives you much more room to work. I also dropped the bottom plastic tray so I could work from underneath too with the X on rhino ramps.

I think some are mentioning the fan clutch thinking he is working on an m54 X5... all the V8's (even m62 I believe) use an E-fan assembly.

Nope. M62 engines have a machanical fan which needs to be removed for a belt change with a special tool. Or an can of penitrating (I spelled that wrong) oil and a crescent wrench work fine.

Yep, looks like they changed in late 03 with the N62 according to RealOEM. Thanks for the correction.

Agreed you can get the clutch off without the special tool as well. I've never used one in my 10+ car BMW ownership fleet.