Cooling system fan with viscous coupling — removal and installation (BMW 3 Series E46)

Note: To remove the fan with a viscous coupling, you will need a special thin open-end wrench 32 mm.

Removal

1. Remove the fasteners and remove the upper plastic radiator cover.

2. Disconnect the auxiliary cooling pipes from the fan housing and remove them from the engine compartment.

3. Release the shroud from the retainers by pulling the center pin out of the retainer, then remove the retainer. Remove the shroud. Note: You may have to remove the fan first to remove the shroud.

4. Using a special thin key, disconnect the viscous coupling from the water pump and remove the fan (fig. 5.4,a,b).

Note: The connection of the viscous coupling to the pump has a left-hand thread. To prevent the shaft from turning, screw a metal strip to the pulley.

5. If necessary, remove the bolts and disconnect the viscous coupling from the fan.

Installation

6. Attach the viscous coupling to the fan and tighten its mounting bolts securely. Install the fan with the correct side facing the radiator.

Note: If the fan is installed with its back side to the radiator, it will not drive air from the atmosphere into the motor compartment, but vice versa. The efficiency of the cooling system in this case will be close to zero.

7. Reinstall the fan and shroud. Bolt the fan to the water pump and tighten the fasteners to the specified torque. Install the fan shroud and secure it with the fasteners.

8. Connect the auxiliary cooling pipes to the casing, install and secure the plastic cover over the radiator.