My fan clutch is not working. I think it needs new fluid and i have some.

It is supposed to be an "easy" job, but only if you have the "right" tools.

After searching the site, I find that the right tools are a stubby allen socket and a water pump pulley holding tool (603 589 00 40 00). The socket is not expensive, but the pulley holding tool is.

I have tried to hold the pulley by hand while turning the allen bolt, and I can't. I installed the fan clutch myself when I replaced the water pump, but I did it with the water pump out of the car and I used a torque wrench.

My questions are:

1. Does anybody have a used pulley holding tool (603 589 00 40 00) that they don't use want to sell / donate / rent. There are probably a lot of retired mechanics that have one.

2. Is there an alternative way to hold the pulley that does not risk damage?

3. Is there a generic tool that works that doesn't cost a bunch?

4. Does anyone sell this tool at a deep discount?

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1991 350SD (updated rods)
Biodiesel B100 when I can find it.
Dino when really cold outside

I had a buddy hold the belt around the pulley while I loosened the bolt with a right angle allen key. I didn't remove the radiator. Fan shroud came out with the fan.

-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.

Since I don't have a buddy to hold the belt. Maybe somebody near Charlottesville VA has a tool I can borrow?

I might let you use my fuel injector balancer!

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1991 350SD (updated rods)
Biodiesel B100 when I can find it.
Dino when really cold outside

harbor freight has large strap wrench for 10.00 works great.

Strap wrench works great, so does an old belt and pair of vice-grips.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Check out this thread, it gives you the info on a tool from Harbor Freight that is again on sale for $8, that is designed to work the way the factory tool is and works very well!

http://www.peachparts.com//shopforum/showthread.php?t=258408&highlight=tensioner

I have the Harbor Freight tool and also have used Vice-Grips(R) and the serpentine belt to hold the pulley. Both work. I use a standard Allen wrench in the center bolt and a short length of steel pipe for leverage. The real key to this job is the two-piece shroud to which my engine was updated. It makes access so much easier. I don't know how it is for an SD.

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

The advantge of the factory tool and the Harbor Freight tool is you don't need to do anything to the tensioner or the serpentine belt as they both work with the serpentine belt in place, other workarounds usually require that the tensioner be released and the water pump pulley sans belt!

To hold water pump. Look for a hole in the water pump hub. Insert butt end of a drill bit in it, rotate until it locks. Used this method to R&R mercedes pump. Do not know if all pumps have the hole.