fan and thermostat - BMW Forum

sadubaba · 09-07-2005, 11:59 AM

Can someone help. I think I have a faulty thermostat, 2nd one in 4 mths on
an e36 2.0i coupe.
When I try to remove the fan coupling the whole engine tries to turn.How can I stop this? Also does the thermostat housing have 3 or 4 bolts holding it in place- as I can't get the fan off i am having problems accessing the housing.
Help would be most appreciated
Cheers
Sadubaba

97alpineM3 · 09-07-2005, 01:52 PM

Well... there is a tool for your problem that BMW makes... or if you look down at the fan shaft... there is a large nut... and then a small nut in which the fan unbolts from the shaft... if you hold the large one still with the tool or a very thing large mm wrench that will hold the shaft in place while you un-bolt the fan.

As for the thermo housing there are three bolts... if I'm not mistaken... two small and one larger on on the top.

Good Luck,

Les

thinair · 09-09-2005, 01:08 AM

The fan clutch nut is reverse threaded. And I use a long screw driver to wedge the one of the 4 bolts on the water pump pulley to keep it from moving. Once the fan clutch and pulley are off, there are 4 bolts holding on the thermostat housing.

Inspect the housing for any signs of cracks before reinstalling it.

sadubaba · 09-09-2005, 10:42 AM

Thanks guys, got the fan off and there are 4 nuts on the stat housing.After doing all this I find the stat is fine, probably the water pump?
Cheers again