603 fan clutch removal what direction does the bolt come off? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

wunderbar · #1 12-09-2010, 10:43 PM

Yes, new here in a way but also old because I keep forgetting what name I used on forums.
anyway, after an hour of searching I still haven't found what direction the allen bolt needs to be turned to LOOSEN in order to take the fan clutch of my 603 motor off.
what a **** job that is without the "special" tools anyway. and why doesn't a fan clutch on the 617 ever go bad?? so weird. they're way older yet 617's never overheat...
the blowby sucks tho.

vstech · #2 12-09-2010, 10:58 PM

LEFTY LOOSEY.
the hard part is holding the fan pulley still. and getting the allen wrench in the socket.

compress ignite · #3 12-09-2010, 11:00 PM

Counter Clock-Wise ("Righty Tighty, Lefty Loosy")

AND...A New Clutch and Fan Blade(Plastic) from an OM606 is almost $165.00
11 Blade Plastic fan #606 200 01 23 $62.00
Viscous Fan Clutch #606 200 01 22 $ 105.00

(The 606 clutch engages @ same operating temps AND is the least expensive option)

I've got the 143 Amp upgrade Alternator...
I'm considering the SPAL ELECTRIC FAN option...('Draws about 25 Amps @ Load)
[SCREW the Viscous Clutch, Evermore!]
'Less load on the WP bearings

GregMN · #4 12-09-2010, 11:53 PM

In the mount for the pulley there is a hole that is not filled with a bolt. Use a small allen wrench in that hole as a stop against the rib on the top of the water pump housing. That is what the hole is there for.

DieselPaul · #5 12-10-2010, 01:17 AM

I use an allen socket, a socket wrench, a friend, and a rubber mallet. You can sort of shock it off.

vstech · #6 12-10-2010, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregMN

In the mount for the pulley there is a hole that is not filled with a bolt. Use a small allen wrench in that hole as a stop against the rib on the top of the water pump housing. That is what the hole is there for.

this only works on 90+124's...

LoosBenz · #7 12-10-2010, 06:50 AM

I just did this job a few months ago. The Harbor Freight tool is worth its weight in gold for this. The allen bolt was in there incredibly tight. I even used a torch to heat it. When it did finally break loose, it was so violent/loud, I thought I had broken either the bolt or one of the tools I was using.
I was also able to get the 606 parts for under $100 bucks altogether by shopping around/ebay.

GregMN · #8 12-10-2010, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

this only works on 90+124's...

It works on every 603 I have encountered. Same water pump.
91 - 350SDL
87 - 300D
86 - 300SDL

vstech · #9 12-10-2010, 10:09 AM

neither of my 87's have the rib to hit the wrench. my 93 does have the rib.
perhaps your 87 had it's water pump changed to a more modern one in the past?

GregMN · #10 12-10-2010, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

neither of my 87's have the rib to hit the wrench. my 93 does have the rib.
perhaps your 87 had it's water pump changed to a more modern one in the past?

We must be talking about different things. All the images of water pumps at on-line sources look the same. There is a rib cast into the body on the top and bottom that extend from the engine end almost all the way out to the pulley end. The pulley mount has 6 holes, 4 of them are threaded for the pulley bolts. The 2 un-threaded holes can be used as a stop if a dowel of at least 1" in length is installed and turned against the top rib. I use an allen wrench for this purpose. Go look at your water pump and see if you can see what I see.

Thanks
Greg

wunderbar · #11 12-10-2010, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

LEFTY LOOSEY.
the hard part is holding the fan pulley still. and getting the allen wrench in the socket.

Really?? The local indy tells me "in the direction of the rotation" as in, the motor rotates clock-wise, so the bolt comes off clock-wise?
so dumb I did this job last year and have no idea how I performed doing it. It was with cheap ebay parts, that's why I have to do it again, by the way...

Anyway, it's that clutch and also I got me a vacuum pump that's not going to throw around small metal balls at some point in the future I want to install and a new shock for the tensioner. Seems near impossible to do that job with the blade on. I did that once and it was a nightmare

wunderbar · #12 12-10-2010, 06:48 PM

ok well, indeed, lefty loosy... sure needed the special tool for it though. installed the updated vacuum pump. Old one looked perfect... How often does that really happen, that vacuum pump failure?

anyway,
thanks guys!

babymog · #13 12-10-2010, 07:02 PM

Rare but catastrophic.

vstech · #14 12-10-2010, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregMN

We must be talking about different things. All the images of water pumps at on-line sources look the same. There is a rib cast into the body on the top and bottom that extend from the engine end almost all the way out to the pulley end. The pulley mount has 6 holes, 4 of them are threaded for the pulley bolts. The 2 un-threaded holes can be used as a stop if a dowel of at least 1" in length is installed and turned against the top rib. I use an allen wrench for this purpose. Go look at your water pump and see if you can see what I see.

Thanks
Greg

oh no, I Know exactly what you are talking about, my 93 does have the rib all the way to the front, but the 87's I have do not. they are smooth around the housing like the 617's pumps are. I can take pics for you this weekend and show you what I'm talking about if you like.

vstech · #15 12-10-2010, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wunderbar

Really?? The local indy tells me "in the direction of the rotation" as in, the motor rotates clock-wise, so the bolt comes off clock-wise?
so dumb I did this job last year and have no idea how I performed doing it. It was with cheap ebay parts, that's why I have to do it again, by the way...

Anyway, it's that clutch and also I got me a vacuum pump that's not going to throw around small metal balls at some point in the future I want to install and a new shock for the tensioner. Seems near impossible to do that job with the blade on. I did that once and it was a nightmare

left facing the motor, that would be counter clockwise... and the motor's rotation is irrelevant as the torque of the bolt prevents any movement of the hub. also, the water pump rotates opposite from the crankshaft due to the serpentine belt wrapping around the wp.