Fan Removal Tool - BMW Forum

Larry Horne · 04-02-2005, 09:15 AM

I am tired of having my garage work on my cooling system. Does anyone have a sketch of the hole alignment end of a fan removal tool? See Figure 2 for the tool on the link below or the attached photo.

This is the tool that fits on to the water pump pulley and holds it stationaty while you remove the clutch fan assembly. I want to make one but make it longer than those I can buy. I have heard of using a long screw driver but not interested in that option. Sounds like a knuckle buster.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticl...Replacement.htm

Tool is for a 1997 328i.

Lar

Bear · 04-02-2005, 10:17 AM

I have heard of people taking a large vise grip plier and squeexing the drive belt together thereby immobilizing the pulley. If you do not have 22MM open end wrench you can gently file a 1 1/4" open end wrench to fit the large fann pulley nut.

Bear · 04-02-2005, 10:31 AM

The tool itself is 16" long and measures 1 1/4" across. The top hole (circular) is located 3/8" from the bottom of the tool , the hole center is 5/8" from the start of the tool bottom) and the hole itself is 1/2" in diameter. The enlongated hole starts 1 1/4" from the bottom of the circular hole, is 1" long and 1/2" deep. The cutout starts 1/2' from bottom of the tool, is approximatley 1 1/2" long and almost a true semi circle that comes in to about mid way across the tool width and then starts back out ending up about 3/8" below start of the enlogated hole. Quesions, I am at lazybears2@cox.net

xsperf · 04-02-2005, 10:42 AM

you could just buy the tool and just take a pipe and slide it on it and that would give you more leverage

Larry Horne · 04-02-2005, 11:40 AM

Bear,

Thanks, I think I'll make a template with your dimensions as start. The vice grips sound like the despirate method. My luck I'd screw up the belt and pulley. I'll let you know how it goes.

Luckily I'm not in a situation where its a have to do project. I just had the shop replace the radiator and the TS housing. WP replaced 6 months ago. Just preparing.

Question: Any idea what is the typical morning squeel/noise coming from the drive belt train on the E36? I'm guessing the tensioner pulley is dry. Goes away in 20 secs.

Lar

Bear · 04-02-2005, 01:39 PM

Yeah, I have the tool so giving dimensions was easy. Normally you can hold pressure away from the fan pulley (push the tool) and pull the wrench and she breaks loose easily. Once she is loose you can easilly wrench that big nut off (I never could just grip the nut, once it was loose and hand turn it off). I bought a
1 1/4" wrench at Wal Mart for about $5.00 and then ground the face down to make it thinner and ground the opening up a bit at a time to give me a tight fit on the big nut. I use the government standard of 25mm=1 inch so the 1 1/4" is close to start with and darned cheap.

I would guess as well that the tenisioner is the culprit for the squeal.

Larry Horne · 04-02-2005, 09:55 PM

Thanks

I'll give her a try and let you know what happens

Lar

NeverLeaned · 04-03-2005, 02:45 PM

You might be better off seeing if you could borrow the tool from someone at the forums.... (I would offer you mine, but one of the holes is slightly off, so there is a chance you could damage the pulley)

After you break it loose the first time, the "tool" will probably no longer be neccasary..... just give your 22mm wrench a really good wack everytime

Another option would be to see if you can throw a mechanic @ BMW a few bux to have him break it off for you. As long as its not too hot out (and not much stop and go) you should be fine to drive the car home with only the aux fan.

Larry Horne · 04-03-2005, 08:07 PM

Trust me the SOB has been off at least 5 times now so I bet I can loosen it with my fingers.

Count

T housing 3 times
Water pum once
radiator once

I may want to tighten it to ensure safety LOL

Thanks for the good points.

Lar