I got the fan off by removing the center bolt. Behind that was 4 socket bolts that hold the fan pulley onto the water pump. They seemed to be 5mm socket bolts, but I couldn't get any of them out. As I try to turn the allen key/wrench, it wants to strip out. I looked at them in the mirror and they seemed to be allen to me, but I read here that they might be torx. I went to Autozone, bought the torx set, tried a #30 and it fits in there, but when you try to turn it, it rounds out and the screws won't budge.

I don't mind doing my own work, but I am frustrated that I can't take 4 bolts out. Their heads are so short that are hard to grab with vise grips. I put the fan back on for now and I was thinking to call the dealer to see what it costs to get this job done. I was hoping to pay $110 for the pump and do it myself, now I might be looking at $500 for the dealer to do it for me.

Short of taking a torch and trying to heat the bolts and not knowing if it is going to work or cause damage to the fan clutch, I'm sort of out of ideas.

If you guys have any DIY's saving tricks, please let me know, otherwise I guess I'm at the mercy to the repair shop...

-=>Raja.

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1983 MB 190E, bought from Germany and shipped to the US in 1986.