visco fan removal 190E 2.6 M103

[d.delano]

Is it possible to remove the viscous fan clutch without draining the radiator and removing it? I have the stubby 8mm hex socket and lock rod tool. I looked recently and there doesn't seem to be enough room. Also does the bolt get any thread locker upon reinstallation? Anti-sieze?

[lsmalley]

Sorry, I don't have any advice just wanted to say if you could please take some pictures of this job when you do it and maybe even a possible write up? I have to do the same job in a few months for my 190 2.6 as well

[sptt]

You may need the flat headed tool that MB Makes with the 8MM socket head if there is not enough room but I use an 8mm alan tool that is bent 90 degrees and an extension to loosen it (I also have the MB tool to lock the fan clutch pulley from behind) then I just spin it off. Resintallation requires no thread lock.

[anthonyb]

Originally Posted by sptt

You may need the flat headed tool that MB Makes with the 8MM socket head if there is not enough room but I use an 8mm alan tool that is bent 90 degrees and an extension to loosen it (I also have the MB tool to lock the fan clutch pulley from behind) then I just spin it off. Resintallation requires no thread lock.

Same here, that's what I used to do with my 300E. 8mm Allen wrench, with a long 10mm hex socket on a breaker bar. Make sure you lock the pulley otherwise you'll just spin the pulley.

[Ivanerrol]

Withe 190e 2.6 you can remove the top panel piece above the radiator. This allows the radiator to be moved towards the front of the car giving better access to the fan bolt.
This is how I use the allan key to remove the bolt.

You need to lock the fan pulley with a made up tool

You need the tool to be placed here

Here's our tools in action

[d.delano]

Ivanerrol- you're the man.

Mine's locked. Happened on the way home from a road trip. I can turn the fan blades by hand, and hear and feel no nasty bearing grinding sounds. It's just really sticky and thusly always spinning at engine speed. The whoosh is constant and it's overcooling the engine.

I have an OEM updated Behr unit on the way, I hope it's not a failure off the shelf. I've not read very many good things about these fan clutches.

Oh yeah one more thing- I feel like a total schmuck for buying the special 8mm stubby socket and lock rod when I could have scrounged a piece of stiff wire and regular 8mm hex key and improvised extension tube which it turns out seem to work better anyhow.