Model: '88 300TE (Euro)

Hi, I am planning to change my belt. Looking at the number of threads on this site I think I know how to change it now...

Well I have a few questions for those of you who have done this.

1. Fan Shroud - I see two clips on top, unclipped both (up) and pulled up on the shroud but did not budge. Is there another clip somewhere or is there a special direction to pull it out?

2. removal of Fan - Do you recommend removing the Fan Blade or the Fan clutch?

3. What exact size of nut is on the Fan Blade or Fan Clutch. I would like to buy the proper tool bits before I start.


I'd appreciate any comments. Thanks in advance!

I think there a special tool to remove the fan assembly.
I am not 100% sure though.
Let us know as I am interested in doing the same job too.
thanks

Well I just did mine a few nights ago (300se), and I did it without removing the fan clutch. Removed the fan blade, three 7mm (I think) hex bolts hold it in. Getting it off isn't a problem, but getting it back on took forever. It's hard to get the fan clutch off without the special Mercedes tool, I tried coat hangers, angled screwdrivers, nothing wanted to work. But once you can get passed the fan blade or fan clutch, it's pretty easy to do. Just make sure you get the routing correct. You might want to print up a pic of it to reference when you are under the car getting it around the tensioner, compressor, and crankshaft pulley. Also, compare the size of your old one with the new one before you start. Old one might up a tiny bit longer because of stretch, but that doesn't matter. If it's a half inch or more difference, you may have a problem.


Also, remember to loosen the 19mm bolt on the tensioner first, otherwise it's time for a new one.

The fan shroud has a number of serrated surfaces to locate it vertically against the radiator. With the clips off, move the shroud a few mm to the rear before lifting. Oh, maybe you removed the radiator clips. The shroud clips are a little smaller.

The shroud only comes off if you have a two-piece shroud. If it's a single piece shroud as I believe came in the 88s then you drape the shroud over the fan, release the fan then remove the shroud and fan together.

... or not. You can thread the belt around the fan.

IIRC there's a bolt in the front center of the fan that takes an 8mm allen bit. I don't think it's possible to release the fan from the pulley any other way but my 300SE has been gone for a couple of years.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Thanks for your response.

Yep, you are right, mine is one peice shroud. I'll go play with it tonite and see if it comes loose.

Just for clarification does the 8mm allen bit you are talking about removes the Fan Clutch assembly or just the just the Fan Blade?

Also danwatt above tells us that there are 3 allen bolts which are 7mm (maybe). So I'm a bit confused to how many bolts and what size of bolt there is holding that fan.

Please advise.

Thanks

8mm bolts removes the fan and fan clutch, you need the special tool to lock the fan clutch so you can undo the bolt. The special tool is a 5mm rod with a 2cm 90deg bend at the end, slightly pointed. You could probably fabricate one from an old philips screwdriver if you have a vice (bench, not social) and quite possibly a heat source because if it's tempered steel it would prefer to break rather than bend.

However, without the tool, you could remove the hex bolts holding the fan blades to get some room and thread the belt on that way. its a tortuous path so you will need a diagram of some sort to make sure you get the new belt on the right way.

oh, and you'd do well to buy the genuine belt instead of a copy. bit more expensive but at least you won't be stressing over the noises the cheaper item can make.

__________________
1987 300e manual 250,000 km (sold)

Now that I think about it, I used a 5mm allen key to get the fan blades off.

Here, the bare fan clutch:

Nice! ok thanks!