How do I remove the engine fan? - 450SE

[B13]

I've been meaning to set the ignition timing and dwell properly on my 450SE, however those who have SLS and A/C know its hard to see the timing markers..

I'm thinking the best way to see them with my timing light is to temporarily remove the engine fan and set the timing, then put the fan back on... trouble is everytime I try something I can't stop the pully from rotating and skin my knuckles anyway...

Looks like its only 4 10mm bolts holding it on, so how do I remove it?

Cheers,

Ian.

 

[Mercules]

Take three of the four bolts out and loosen the last one - the fan mount holes are slotted so you can slip the fan out without needing to loosen the belts. Just make sure you put a few bolts back into the pulley before starting the engine or it could make quite a mess. Once you have done the timing, putting it back together take a little persuasion but it can be done without too much fuss.

 

[Styria]

Hi B13, just to add a little to what Mercules has suggested. You will need to remove the fan and coupling, as well as the radiator shroud, as one unit.

Yes,by all means, leave the pulley for the belts in place, but you may experience some difficulty in refitting the bolts as the pressure of well adjusted belts is inclined to decentralize the pulley from the water pump flange. Just try it and see how you go - Bar has done this job just recently and he reckoned that all he needed was a 10 mil spanner.

BTW, you should always undo the 10 mil bolts with the belts still in place. Pushing down on them will stop the pulley from turning. Regards Styria

 

[oscar]

Ian, did you get it off? If so, two tips for next time.

- to lock the pulley, push down on top of the two power steering v-belts with your free hand.

- when you put the spanner on a bolt, rotate the pulley like you've been doing unintentionally so that each bolt in turn bolt is up top then angle the spanner so it's at a tangent to the hub.

Push down on the spanner and v-belts at the same time to "crack the bolt".

 

[B13]

Yep its off... and yep the fan and cowling had to come off together...

Timing was set at 5 degree advanced, which I'll increase to 10 degrees.

Since its off I've decided to renew the fan belts and noticed the lower radiator hose was rubbing on the harmonic balancer so I need to replace that ($12 of MBs finest blue coolant put in 2 weeks ago down the drain)...

New Dayco belts in hand.

Might attempt to degrease the front of the motor and now I have a clear view of the timing markers, will check for chain stretch. I bet its over 10 degrees...

I.