Thread direction on thermostatic fan?

[Paul Weller]

Hi All
I am in the middle of changing the water pump/ radiator and thermostat on my M44 Z3. I have the thermostat off and radiator out, as well as the fan blade.
The nut for the fan thermostat on the water pump shaft won't budge!
Before I force it, I thought I should check if anyone knows if the thread direction is normal or Left Hand?
Paul

 

[Jack Ratt]

Left hand thread I think

 

[Sean d]

Left hand thread I think

The only left handed thread I came across on my six pot was the viscous fan

 

[jonco]

Fan assembly is left hand as others have said - pic of removed - you should be able to see thread direction.

 

[Brian4]

Yes definitely a left had thread.

 

[Sean d]

I removed mine with a punch and hammer

 

[Brian4]

Big adjustable and a sharp tap to the right standing at the front of the car.

opposite to the old saying ' righty tighty lefty loosey'

 

[Paul Weller]

Fan assembly is left hand as others have said - pic of removed - you should be able to see thread direction.View attachment 87028

Thankyou all for such a quick response. I am glad I checked!

 

[Mazza]

Just seen this thread Paul,
If you ever need them, I have the long 32mm spanner and the one that holds and locks the pulley. For removing the fan assembly complete.

 

[Paul Weller]

I will know by mid morning if I need to take up your offer Malc. Will keep you posted, thanks
Paul

 

[Paul Weller]

Just seen this thread Paul,
If you ever need them, I have the long 32mm spanner and the one that holds and locks the pulley. For removing the fan assembly complete.

All undone! I used my cutter change lever from an angle grinder to pass over a nut and use as a lever. Now just waiting for the new pump to get delivered today before it all gets put back. Nothing was obviously wrong with the thermostat or pump, and looks like they were changed in 2007/08 from the date stamps. Radiator was original so I am hoping changing that will make the difference!

 

[Mazza]

Fingers crossed !!!

 

[Stevo7682]

If you ever come across a viscous that is solid and just won't crack off.
Came across this video ages ago and saved it.
Thought I'd try it when doing the cylinder head job on Lynne's zed and worked no problem at all.

View: https://youtu.be/MqnYrIpih2I

 

[gookah]

left hand thread
To loosen it put a spanner on it and give it a hit with a hammer towards the passenger wing (UK car)

be careful not to hit the thermostat with the spanner.

 

[Mazza]

That is really clever, but you need to take a few bits off first.
With the ‘special’ tools that I have, you can remove the fan with everything else in place

 

[gookah]

If you ever come across a viscous that is solid and just won't crack off.
Came across this video ages ago and saved it.
Thought I'd try it when doing the cylinder head job on Lynne's zed and worked no problem at all.

View: https://youtu.be/MqnYrIpih2I

Wow, I will be using that method from now on

 

[Stevo7682]

That is really clever, but you need to take a few bits off first.
With the ‘special’ tools that I have, you can remove the fan with everything else in place

You can still do it with all in place he had stripped off a lot on his vid .
I done it on Lynne's with only belt removed

 

[Stevo7682]

Wow, I will be using that method from now on

Works really well as the belt fitted as shown locks it all down and let's you get a bit of push on the spanner without any slippage of the pulleys

 

[Mazza]

I stand corrected .......

 

[g8jka]

be careful not to hit the thermostat with the spanner.

I take it that you have experience in hitting the thermostat?! Funnily enough it once happened on my car