how to lock cooling fan?
 

I am preparing to replace the serpantine belt on an 87 300 E.
Can someone give me an idea on how to lock the fan blade in place in order to remove the fan bolts? I read my haynes manual
which says to pass a bolt or special rod through the fan pully to lock it in a slot on the block. I do not see any place to insert
the rod? Is it behind the round clip in the middle of the blade housing? Thanks in advance for your help. Greg

79 280CE
87 300E

When you align the pulley at the right spot, you can drop a pin or something similar in a small hall on its base and prevent it from turning.

George, Thanks for the reply. I have taken a mirror down there to help me see, but I am just not seeing where to insert this
pin? If we are talking about the same thing, the metal center part of the fan blade completely obscures the fan pully behind it?

Actually, I do not think that there is a need to take out the fan to replace the belt. If you want to see the complete factory instructions for replacing the belt, I have uploaded them for you in the web. Just click Here.

George , Thanks for the page from the factory. At the top of the page you sent underneath the # 13-3420 it says : "preceding work: viscous fan clutch removed [20-3120]

If its not too much trouble, could you send page # 20-3120
if you have it. Very much appreciated!

Greg

I posted that too. Just click below:



Fan Clutch Replacement

Good way of showing something PE. How's that Chevelle running - great I am sure.
I use a slightly modified blade locking mechnism from a Ryoba weed whacker. Will post a pic if you want. Let me know.

If you plan on doing alot of DIY engine work on your 300E, I suggest you go ahead and buy the counter holder tool from www.************************, because you'll be pulling off the fan often. I think it sells for about $11 and it's well worth it if you use it alot.

~Paul

_________________
'91 300E, 215K miles

Paul gave some good advise - buy the correct tools for the job. The site he gave carries them. Go online and order the parts catalog for your MB.

Public Enemy posted a fan clutch removal process.

The MB part numbers for the tools you want are in that post:

103 589 00 40 00 - counter tool - metal rod about 1 ft. long. This locks in behind the pulley.

103 589 01 09 00 - special 8mm Stahlwille tool that removes bolt that secures fan clutch/bladed assembly. The counter rod keeps the pulley from moving so you can loosen the bolt. Don't over-tighten on assembly. The head of this bolt is SOFT and easily rounds off.

Thanks so much George and everyone else for your replys.
Im well on my way.

Greg

When I replaced my belt, I just removed the three allen head bolts that secured the plastic fan to the assembly. Took ten minutes. That left me enough room to see everything and replace the belt in about 1/2 hour.

First of all I believe you can change the belt on the 87 by removing the bottom bolt on the alternator and letting it swing up. Install the new belt and carefully pry the alternator down to slip the bolt back in. Secondly as much of a believer in top quality proper tools that I am,here is where I take exception. For the holding tool I shortened the short end of a cheap 5 or 6mm allen and stuck a 6 inch piece of fuel line on the other end. I also changed the 90 degree angle to about 110 degtees. I took an 8mm allen,shortened the short end,and stuck the long end in a section of close fitting metal tube. I used good old duct tape to keep it from sliding out. I can't count the # of 103 engine water pumps I've replaced with these home made tools. By the way the 8mm allen has to be GOOD QUALITY.

Peter