Author Topic: Fan Clutch Rediculousness (Read 6424 times)

AcSchnitzer318is · « **on:** October 14, 2008, 06:36:58 PM »

Today was supposed to be a nice day... install my electric fan and delete my parasitic one and the aux fan. Well... I've been fighting this friggin fan clutch for the last 3 hours... I'm done. I guess I'll have to take it to my local shop to have them remove my fan clutch for me with a pulley holder.

My 32mm wrench coupled with a few hard wallops did absolutely nothing but frustrate me. Then I tried the old screwdriver trick and proceeded to shatter 2 fairly good sized screwdrivers and puncture my upper radiator hose.

This has got to be the STUPIDEST design I have ever seen. There should be a place where you can put a bolt through the pulley and into the block or something to hold it. LOL it really made me miss my e46's electric fan. Sorry guys just had to rant... I read everyone elses success stories and I just got so pissed that mien is being such a PITA... lol you know how it goes

If you guys have any suggestions I'm open to trying them before I take it to my local indy.

tjts1 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 14, 2008, 06:44:24 PM »

Were you turning it the correct direction? Lefty tighty, righty loosy. Its a reverse thread. Mine was very easy to take off with a spanner. Maybe also try some liquid wrench. It is a retarded design. Most things on BMWs are. Thats we love them so.
EDIT: PM send. Good luck.

srfjay · « **Reply #2 on:** October 14, 2008, 06:50:21 PM »

That sucks man i am doing the same thing taking off the clutch fan to install a electric fan.
I read all these horror storys about trying to take them off so when that came up i was ready for the worse but in my amazement it came of super easy must have been not put on tight .
All well, i have seen some one cut it off before with a saw but that is a last try kind of deal. Good luck man.

EN318isPDX · « **Reply #3 on:** October 14, 2008, 06:50:33 PM »

Quote from: tjts1;58542

Were you turning it the correct direction? Lefty tighty, righty loosy. Its a reverse thread.
EDIT: PM send. Good luck.

+1 i had the same problem until i went the right way and it came off easily.. even after being hit at 30mph

AcSchnitzer318is · « **Reply #4 on:** October 14, 2008, 07:21:52 PM »

If you are standing in front of the engine bay looking at it, I was turning clockwise... or righty. I know it's reverse threaded but mine still would not come off. Damn pulley just kept rotating, except when I had the screwdrivers in there. LOL then it snapped the screwdrivers... I've done this on a couple of e36's and one eta so I wasn't anticipating a difficult time. BOY was I wrong!!!

nicknikolovski · « **Reply #5 on:** October 15, 2008, 03:45:16 AM »

Ok do this, put the 32mm wrench onto the fan clutch, then get a rubber mallet a hit the wrench a few times. Also spray some WD-40 or CRC. If hitting it doesn't work, then you may need to get water pump pulley holder tool.

Jak318 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 15, 2008, 01:08:29 PM »

Its much easier to remove if you leave the belt tight. You can use some vise grips to hold the pulley against the belt and then hit the wrench as hard as you need to.
Works like a charm for me...

txleadfoot · « **Reply #7 on:** October 15, 2008, 01:11:06 PM »

Where are you? I have the pulley holder.

Quote from: AcSchnitzer318is;58546

If you are standing in front of the engine bay looking at it, I was turning clockwise... or righty. I know it's reverse threaded but mine still would not come off. Damn pulley just kept rotating, except when I had the screwdrivers in there. LOL then it snapped the screwdrivers... I've done this on a couple of e36's and one eta so I wasn't anticipating a difficult time. BOY was I wrong!!!

asubimmer · « **Reply #8 on:** October 15, 2008, 02:54:17 PM »

You don't need a pulley holder. Ppl make this job a lot harder than it is. The nut is REVERSE threaded. All you need in your 32mm wrench and a bfh or just a hammer heavier than a nail hammer. Standing in the front of your car put the 32mm wrench on your fan clutch at the 1:00 position! It only takes 2 or 3 good down and to the right hits to take off the tightest clutches...

This only works if you still have your belts on the pulley. But this is much easier than using a pulley holder or any other way that I've seen ppl try to use.

monty23psk · « **Reply #9 on:** October 15, 2008, 05:30:06 PM »

I just took mine off, grab by open end wrench, don't have metric but have closes in standard size. 2 small whacks at 10 o'clock position while standing on passenger side and hitting towards drivers side with my hand and it came loose.

AcSch...go give it another try.

AcSchnitzer318is · « **Reply #10 on:** October 15, 2008, 10:07:12 PM »

LOL... I'm afraid if I try it again I will get very pissed off. I tried the wrench at all kinds of positions and hitting it. Tried tightening the belt and all that good stuff. I was going the right way correct? If you are facing the engine... you turn clockwise right? Just want to be sure....

monty23psk · « **Reply #11 on:** October 16, 2008, 09:25:45 AM »

well depends, you can face the engine 4 ways, but if you mean from the front of the car, then yes, clockwise.

I also did it after the car was a little warm so that the clutch has a littel resistance from the oil. Then I have to time it right, but if you hold the fan blade and move it counter-clockwise, it might give you extra help.

twright · « **Reply #12 on:** October 16, 2008, 06:11:49 PM »

I have used a short 2" x 4" block of wood to hit the wrench as hard as you can. Put a bunch of towels to catch the wrench after you hit it. Slow steady pressure doesn't cut it here. Smack the snot out of it!

I have threatened ( but not yet accomplished) to stand on the engine holding my 2 X 4 with my best Tiger Wood's impression on the first Tee! Swing like your going for a 400 yard drive!

monty23psk · « **Reply #13 on:** October 16, 2008, 10:53:22 PM »

^ if you try this golf swing, make sure to YouTube it.

AcSchnitzer318is · « **Reply #14 on:** October 16, 2008, 11:01:14 PM »

^LOL...

I have removed the fan clutches from 2 e36's and an e39 (same motor I know) and had no problem. Well, I ended up having to take to my local indy shop where they have the pulley holder tool. I was turning the correct way. He also had a hard time getting it off so I felt better. He first tried just hitting the 32mm with the mallet like I was doing and he actually had to use the pulley holder. Still took him a couple tries even with it... like I said, I felt better

On a side note... man the car drives better without that 15lb aux fan hanging on the nose and without the 10lb clutch/fan on the front of the engine. New electric fan (10lbs) going on as soon as I get a chance. Doesn't overheat right now if I am moving and if I turn on the heater it will idle at the half mark like normal as well. Of course it was only 79 degrees today...