Remove expansion tank - help needed!

[wpa]

Hello!
I need some advice on removing the expansion tank of my 320i '97. There seem to be topics on this question, but i havent found a concrete answer yet. Can the expansion tank be removed without removing the radiator?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...89&hg=17&fg=05

From the picture above, it seems that it should slide out without the need to remove the radiator, but it just wont budge. I need to change the nr. 3 gasket ring.
Can anyone give me some advice, how to remove it? Is there a trick for this, or do i just need to use some more strength?
Thanks!

[SHAHAB323IS]

yes it can, you'll want to remove the plastic fan shroud first. It's pretty self explanatory. I forget the exact process and I don't have my BMW anymore so I can't exactly go look at it and tell you exactly what to do. But yes you can remove it without removing the radiator, it should become more evident once you remove the fan shroud. Good luck.

[wpa]

Thanks, but i got it removed already. First i removed a plastic screw from under the car. Nr. 23: RealOEM.COM * BMW E36 320i RADIATOR/EXPANSION TANK/FRAME
Then i took a narrow wooden stick and put it inside the hole until it was pressed against the inner top of the expansion tank (the nr. 23 screw is right under the expansion tank). After giving the stick a few knocks with a hammer, the expansion tank came off flying and was totally unharmed.
This is the only way i could figure out and it worked like a charm.