Just bought a fan clutch and everything was going fine until I tried to unbolt the three bolts that hold the fan-clutch to the fan...they will not turn and one of them has begun to strip.

1991 300TE 229,000 miles...should I just get a new fan?

Thanks in advance.

Try using some PB Blaster or other penetrating oil, if the clutch is original, the bolts are probably seized in there with all the heat cycles...

Cost about $4 for a can, I personally use a Liquid Wrench product with good results... spray, let it soak for 20 minutes, then give it a go...

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2006 BMW M5 "Heidi" @ 109,000 miles
2005 MBZ C55 AMG "Lorelai" @ 165,000 miles
1991 MBZ 300E "Benzachino II" @ 165,000 miles
1990 MBZ 500SL "Shoshanna" @ 118,000 miles

(On the hunt for a good used M103 engine as of 6/10/23, PM me if you have one to sell!)

Clean-out the bolt heads, strike bolt heads with hammer fairly hard (not so hard as to damage bracket bearing but OK to deform bolt heads somewhat), insert quality, unworn bit socket fully into bolt head with hammer if necessary, use quick snap of wrench to loosen (rather than slowly increasing torque). Unless the clutch is removed and you have a suitable holding fixture at this point you should probably have an assistant keep the fan from turning you you can use both hands on the wrench. Replace the bolts with new bolts if the heads are distorted/worn. Mark