stripped allen bolt....

[taeandji]

My w124 E320 got blown head gasket and i'm trying to do it myself.
I removed most of them but just stripped the 8mm allen bolt that holds fan... and I'm hoping if someone has good tip to remove that bolt without removing all ac condenser and aux fans....

[daantjie]

You can try and cut a slot into the head with a Dremel and then using a flat head bit with socket and long attachment. Try and heat the bolt with propane torch and let cool a bit before you try and break it loose.

[97 SL320]

That bolt is very tight on all of the ones I've taken apart ( like 5 or 6 by now ) . I've had to use an impact wrench.

You might be better off taking the fan blade off the clutch ( 3 bolts ). You might have enough clearance to unbolt the fan mount at that point.

[Hirnbeiss]

I'm not sure if there's enough clearance on that screw head, but the Irwin extractors work well. https://www.amazon.com/IRWIN-BOLT-GRIP-Extractor-Expansion-394002/dp/B000QW6K8I

[Ferdman]

taeandji, I agree ... simply remove the 3 allen head bolts that secure the fan to the viscous clutch.

[taeandji]

Originally Posted by daantjie

You can try and cut a slot into the head with a Dremel and then using a flat head bit with socket and long attachment. Try and heat the bolt with propane torch and let cool a bit before you try and break it loose.

with aux fans and ac condenser, it is hard to see the bolt itself.... so I'm not sure if I can grind it with dremel...

[taeandji]

Originally Posted by Hirnbeiss

I'm not sure if there's enough clearance on that screw head, but the Irwin extractors work well. https://www.amazon.com/IRWIN-BOLT-GRIP-Extractor-Expansion-394002/dp/B000QW6K8I

it seems like there is no clearance for that bolt.... but if i can remove those 3 bolts that holds fan clutch from the fan... it may give me some clearance so i can use this tool.

thanks

[taeandji]

Originally Posted by 97 SL320

That bolt is very tight on all of the ones I've taken apart ( like 5 or 6 by now ) . I've had to use an impact wrench.

You might be better off taking the fan blade off the clutch ( 3 bolts ). You might have enough clearance to unbolt the fan mount at that point.

good idea... i will try to remove those 3 bolts from the fan and see if it will give some clearance. thanks

[taeandji]

Originally Posted by Ferdman

taeandji, I agree ... simply remove the 3 allen head bolts that secure the fan to the viscous clutch.

Thanks, i will try doing that.

[jake12tech]

I'd try and knock the socket in there with a hammer or you can always buy 8.5mm allen keys offline.. it's crucial to hold the head of the ratchet when removing allen bolts to maintain it straight

[taeandji]

Originally Posted by jake12tech

I'd try and knock the socket in there with a hammer or you can always buy 8.5mm allen keys offline.. it's crucial to hold the head of the ratchet when removing allen bolts to maintain it straight

as others recommended, i was able to remove those 3 allen bolts holding fan clutch and got the fan out, leaving fan clutch attached to engine still though.

attached is a pic i took for stripped bolt. as you can see, there is no clearance to use other tool to remove it and i'm kinda scared to use the dremel tool as well... also i removed the radiator so i have some more clearance but can't use a hammer as it damages the ac condenser....

should i try the 8.5mm allen key? or should i leave it the way it is?

[taeandji]

forgot to attach the pic.

[mercron]

I can think of filing down an 8.5mm hex bit and hammering it in there. Then use a ratchet wrench with a hex bit adaptor.


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[Ferdman]

taeandji, what does removing the viscous fan clutch have to do with cylinder head removal? Are you pulling the engine/transmission to work on the engine? Most shops/techs pull the cylinder head with the engine in the car.

[taeandji]

Originally Posted by Ferdman

taeandji, what does removing the viscous fan clutch have to do with cylinder head removal? Are you pulling the engine/transmission to work on the engine? Most shops/techs pull the cylinder head with the engine in the car.

I know i can leave the viscous fan clutch as attached now to pull the head from the engine but it bothers me knowing that the bolt is stripped....