Car tools required

[_Deano]

More specifically tools for the e39 530i BMW.
I am trying to replace the thermostat for the cooling system and to make enough room for me to do this i need to remove the fan.
The fan is held in place with a 32mm nut, i have a wrench for this, and i read that i was able to remove the nut with a swift and heavy blow to the wrench to loose the nut - bks.
This nut is not moving, so i've tried to use a large screwdriver to counteract the force the wrench actions and all i achieved was to break the plastic water pump pulley and put a tidy cut to my arm.
So i need to find a place where i can buy the fan clutch holder. I've spoken to BMW and they don't sell tools, eurocarparts tell me that i don't need a holder and GSF don't seem to sell anything. I can't find anything on the halfords site and i am out of ideas as to where i can buy this dam tool.
Can anyone tell me where i can buy this tool?

Oh in addition to this, does anyone know the site where i can get the part number for the different BMW parts of the engine - if i can remember the diagrams are in an exploded view.

Thanks

Edited by _Deano on Wednesday 28th September 17:56

[EDLT]

Its not left handed is it?

[kambites]

You'd probably get it off with a socket and a decent length breaker bar. Otherwise, assuming it's on something solid, an impact wrench will shift the bugger.

Some penetrating oil (WD40) on it wouldn't hurt, either.

ETA: Unless of course it's left-handed, in which case you've been tightening it.

[Fish981]

It is a left hand thread and you shouldn't need anything to hold it, just a (very) good whack on the end of the spanner with a hammer.

Of course you've now probably soent a few hours making it even tighter so it'll have to be an exceptionally good whack.

[kambites]

Ah, you mean a nut actually holding the fan blades on? I was imagining something holding a whole fan assembly in place.

[Fish981]

kambites said:

You'd probably get it off with a socket and a decent length breaker bar. Otherwise, assuming it's on something solid, an impact wrench will shift the bugger.

Some penetrating oil (WD40) on it wouldn't hurt, either.

ETA: Unless of course it's left-handed, in which case you've been tightening it.

He'd have to remove the engine to get a socket on the fan.

[miniman]

Have you tried removing it with the fan in-situ? As per the other thread, I'm convinced it can be done.

The site you're referring to is http://www.realoem.com/bmw

[dome]

I've done this job on both my e32 and e34 but i can't for the life of me remember how I got the old viscous fan off, I must've found some way of doing it cos if it was a headf@ck of a job then no doubt i'd remember it....

You do know the 32mm bolt is left hand thread on these? It is on e34's and e32's anyway...

[miniman]

http://www.beisansystems.com/procedures/e39_fan_pr...

[_Deano]

Yes it is a left handed thread to i've been whacking the wrench to the right, if you looking at the car head on.
But now that the plastic water pump pulley is broken and there is a lot of slack in the timing belt, so the tool is needed to hold the pulley in place whilst loosing the nut

[dome]

I think I may have wedged something onto the bolts that hold the fan onto the viscous part-my cars had 5 allen bolts i think. Wedging a bar of some sort across these and using that to hold the unit in place whilst i undid it with the 32mm. Are you on www.bmw5.co.uk? Good site for info

[Fish981]

http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=150754&am...

I've got one of the above, I guess if you've broken the pulley this wont help though?

[Mroad]

I had the same problem on my E36 M3 although had no issues with my old E34 M5.
I tried wedging the pulley nuts with a screwdriver but it still span around on the fan belt, even with a bit of heat it wouldn't budge. I bought a cheap holding tool off Ebay (Sealey part number VS095) and ended up bending that too!
I cut it off with an angle grinder in the end but I was ditching the viscous fan for an electric replacement anyway.

[Mroad]

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/
For parts diagrams.

http://www.bmminiparts.com/
For discounted genuine BMW parts.

[Rotary Madness]

You can do it with the fan in situ, you just need small thin hands and some small tools.

I had neither and shredded my hands but got it done in the end.

[_Deano]

i don't have girly like hands so i need to find the pulley tool. The only ones that i can find are all sold in the US. ;-)

[_Deano]

Fish981 said:

http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=150754&am...

I've got one of the above, I guess if you've broken the pulley this wont help though?

Thanks for the link to the shop, i think i've found what i need - will take a ride there tomorrow to see if this is it.

[buzzer]

I had this problem on my 728i. to get the fan off I made a tool to hold the pulley. this was made from a piece of 30mm x 4mm steel strip about 2 foot long. I drilled two holes on it (11mm I think) which would go over two of the bolt heads that hold the pulley in place. you need to file a bit out between the holes to clear the boss on the water pump to allow the tool to engage on the bolts. I then used a big spanner to undo it (left hand thread)

I did try the "smack the spanner" method, but no luck!

I would be happy to draw around the tool I made and post it to you if that's any help...

[buzzer]

here you go... ignore the other end, that's for a clio!

[ShampooEfficient]

buzzer said:

here you go... ignore the other end, that's for a clio!

This is what kids of today will have no idea how to do. Top fettling.