M20 Fan Removal for timing belt change

Post Tue May 01, 2012 5:21 pm

So after reading the WIKI it says you need a 32MM combination spanner to remove the fan. Which as also in the WIKI I don't have.

But I do have a 1/2" Drive 32MM socket and very large breaker bar. Will this do the trick?

Wanted to ask before I get home as it may save me trip to halfords to get a spanner.

Post Tue May 01, 2012 5:30 pm

No, because you won't get the socket onto the nut. The reason you need an open ended spanner is that's the only tool you can get into it with.

Top tip - Lidl or Aldi were selling large spanners (sets of two spanners for £5) and that's where I got my 32mm open spanner from. They still have some lying around in some stores on the side of the country that the wise men came from but not sure about the west side.

Post Tue May 01, 2012 5:32 pm

Remember it's a reverse thread, righty loosey, lefty tighty.

Post Tue May 01, 2012 5:36 pm

Thanks Colin, Looks like its a trip round the shops on the way home.

Post Tue May 01, 2012 5:45 pm

Draper do/did supply a special spanner just for this purpose.If you have a decent tool shop,they may have one.

Mine came from here;

www.portlandtools.co.uk

Post Tue May 01, 2012 5:47 pm

i got a draper fan spanner off ebay, was about 7 quid iirc.

Post Tue May 01, 2012 5:51 pm

Unfortunatly I am pretty much up against the clock to get this all done by Saturday so can't wait the day or so for delivery. I only have the next 3 nights to get all the jobs finished and back to the garage for the retest.

Just wanting the timing belt out the way since I'm doing the fan \ steering belts at the same time and the car is up on the stands.

Post Tue May 01, 2012 6:55 pm

Know anyone into bikes? Apparently it's a common bicycle size.
Any sheet metal around? It doesn't have to be capable of applying 200ft.lb of torque, as a normal 32mm spanner would be rated for. One cut out of 1mm thick steel should be up to the job, as long as the previous person that removed it wasn't a muppet.

Post Tue May 01, 2012 7:31 pm

mate i got my viscous spanner from Halfords, think it was about a tenner..

Post Tue May 01, 2012 11:20 pm

I've done it in an emergency with a pair of standard bootlid tool kit water pump pliers. Might have been the larger ones though. Halfords will have a proper one cheap enough.

Post Wed May 02, 2012 12:03 am

spanner picked up from halfords and even managed to get a bit of discount by blagging that I forgot my trade card. Turned out to be not too bad a job getting the fan off.

Dizzy cap was harder due to the metal pipe along the front of the engine, the stubborn bugger took quite a few attempts to wiggle it free.

A few steps closer to having the timing belt changed at least.

Post Wed May 02, 2012 3:18 am

Brianmoooore wrote:Know anyone into bikes? Apparently it's a common bicycle size.
Any sheet metal around? It doesn't have to be capable of applying 200ft.lb of torque, as a normal 32mm spanner would be rated for. One cut out of 1mm thick steel should be up to the job, as long as the previous person that removed it wasn't a muppet.

Yes it is, iirc its used for bottom brackets.

Both the spanners i have here are actually from my bike tool kit.