Fan clutch R and R

[skybeam]

Didn't think this would be that big of a deal but since I cant seem to get past the fan cowling. I removed the top fasteners but is the other things that need removed first? Do I have to remove the radiator? Any advice on getting to that darn fan clutch would be very helpful.
Thanks

[Torque]

Ideally you need a pulley holder tool and a very thin wrench (the two will set you back almost a 100 dollars), or you can take a regular wrench, grind down the sides so that it fits, then keep hitting it with a hammer until it lets go.

And remember, the fan clutch is reverse threaded. Right loosens, left tightens.

[skybeam]

Thanks for the reply.
How many items do I need to remove to get good access to the fan?

[Torque]

What car is this on?

On a e34 you can do it without removing anything.

[skybeam]

Where do I look to determine that?

[darkhorse737]

Originally Posted by skybeam

Where do I look to determine that?

follow-up from Torque's last post:

what year & model do you have?( that willtell us which "E" series your car is) :-)

[skybeam]

It's a 97 528i

[winters97E39]

I've done this on mine, but it was a while ago.. I will go look it up in my Bentley manual and detail the steps for you.

[winters97E39]

ok - you dont have to remove the radiator..

Remove the expansion tank bleed screw and expanstion tank locking tabs

Push top of the expansion tank toward engine and lift to free from the lower mounts.

Remove two expansion rivets in the upper corners of the fan shroud. Unclip expansion tank bleed hose located under the shroud.

Remove rubber trip strip between top of shroud and radiator

Using 32mm wrench (BMW special tool 115040) on fan clutch nut. Turn wrench in a clockwise direction working from front of car while counterholding pulley with bmwspecial tool 115030. Spin fan off coolant pump. Note: the radiator cooling fan nut (32mm wrench) has LEFT hand threads.

Unclip AUC sensor from shroud

Lift fan and shroud together out of engine compartment. To replace fan clutch, remove fan mounting bolts and separate viscous clutch from fan. installation is reverse of removal.

Now... I didn't have those "special" tools, I used a combination of a large adjustable wrench and a large flat head screwdriver to keep it in place as I loosened the nut. The nut is SUPER tight and a pain in the arse to get loose without those tools, but it can be done. You cant remove the shroud without removing the fan, they come out together.

[94BMW325i]

get a 32mm headset wrench from a bike shop if need be. They are much slimmer than a normal wrench. Usually a single hit from a hammer or mallet does the trick, if you cant break it free by hand, if not put a screw driver diagonally between 2 of the waterpump pulley bolts. They fans are reverse thread too..

[Crewser]

Do you have to remove the fan clutch to get the water pump off, even if your giong back with a new pump and clutch?