Can the fan be removed without pulling the radiator? My fan has decided to be on at all times. I can stop it from running using a rolled up newspaper, However as soon as I pull the paper out it starts right back up.

After closer inspection I can tilt it back and forth so I ma assuming the clutch is shot. From what it looks like it is original.

I looked at the shroud and I dont think I can get it out. With the shroud out of the way it would be a lot easier to get my hands in there.


Any one done this that can offer tricks?

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86 300SDL. 250,xxx on #14 Head. One eye always on temp gauge.. Cruising towards 300K

Nope. It is a pretty straightforward job, you may have difficulty removing the shroud, but it will come out.

What did you expect to happen?

Residual clutch fluid drag will always make the fan turn with the engine running. Only the power turning it will be much increased when the temperature driven clutch is activated by the heat of the engine.

If car has no operational temperature problems probably everything is okay. The usual issue at least to me is when the clutch no longer connects heavier when the engine temperature demands it. Find another friend to compare yours against or read a little more up on them in the archives.

Usually the fan is turning anytime the engine is running, the issue is if it is not fairly easy to stop when circumstances don't exist for it to be engaged.

With the engine running you should be able to stop the rotation of the fan by using a bunched up rag or something similar fairly easily, if it takes too much effort the clutch is not freewheeling as designed.

To remove it is an 8 mm cap head screw so you need some type of 8 mm Allen wrench, with the working leg short enough to get in the screw in that tight place, you also need some means of preventing the water pump pulley from turning as you attempt to loosen the cap screw.

Harbor Freight sells a great low budget pulley holder tool for around $8-9, and Stahlwille makes a very short 8mm allem socket for 3/8" ratchets. You can also grab a standard L shaped Allen key cut the short leg even shorter than what is usual and use a section of pipe over the long leg to work the cap head screw.

Once you get the screw out you can lift the fan and the shroud out together.

It's a good idea to fashion a piece of thin aluminum or something similar to hang behind the radiator's back side, that will prevent you from bending any of the radiator fins and if you're using your hands down in that space to get the to the screw it will protect your knuckles from being shredded.

To clarify, release the shroud from the radiator and rest it over the fan. This will give you better but not great access to the bolt mentioned above. I use a hex key with a deep socket and breaker bar for leverage.

Sixto
87 300D

Water pump hub can be locked by using a drill bit or allen key in a hole provided. Access from the rear.

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Present
1987 300SDL
1991 300SL
1990 560SEL
2001 ML320

Past
1969 200D 1979-82
1983 300SD 1984-85
1972 250C 1982-02
1995 S350 2011
1997 S320 2012

this does not work on ALL water pumps... some don't have the rib to brace against...

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

You can use the belt as a counterhold.

-J

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1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

Love the sarcasm. On my other vehicle that has a fan clutch when I stop it it in the same manner when released it stays still.

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86 300SDL. 250,xxx on #14 Head. One eye always on temp gauge.. Cruising towards 300K

So to clarify i remove the center bolt in the middle of the clutch and remove the fan and clutch as one unit?

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86 300SDL. 250,xxx on #14 Head. One eye always on temp gauge.. Cruising towards 300K

Yes fan and clutch come out together.

-J

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1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

What is your other car. Some cars now have electric fan clutches and some have hydrolic (from P/S pump).

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84 500 SEL (307,xxx miles)

There was no sarcasm involved. You described what I consider to be normal fan clutch behavior. If the fan stops easily (not to be confused with stopping quickly when the engine is shut down) when cold, the clutch has passed the cold test. An expectation that the fan remains stopped in unreasonable.

My apologies, I thought you were. On my truck when you stopped it, it normally would stay stopped or rotate slowly, not right back up to engine speed.(at idle)

pmc- a cat truck motor.

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86 300SDL. 250,xxx on #14 Head. One eye always on temp gauge.. Cruising towards 300K