Cars House

Can someone add these to the DIY info?

I couldn't remove the fan as the main nut was too large and I couldn't fit anything that was long enough nor strong enough to fit between the bolts to provide any reverse force to loosen the nut. I didn't need to remove the fan as the larger accessory belt was able to fit around it. But I did remove the airbox and took off the alternator intake tube so I could get at the tensioner from the side.

I removed the A/C belt no problem with the 8mm allen key (from underneath the car), but as I tried to loosen the upper tensioner, I couldn't fit the 8mm key in the centre of the pulley, as said in logun.org and Bentley's. I figured that a 16mm socket would fit around the bolt on that pulley. (This was frustrating at first but actually worked better than the 8mm allen key - I am not sure if this is just on 1998 328is' or not, or Canadian versions). How come this isn't mentioned in Bentley's??

In case anyone was wondering.....

I couldn't remove the fan as the main nut was too large and I couldn't fit anything that was long enough nor strong enough to fit between the bolts to provide any reverse force to loosen the nut.
For future reference, you can get a 32mm wrench from a bicycle shop, and your BMW dealer should be able to sell you the special tool (part number 88 88 6 115 030) that holds the water pump pulley in place while you turn the nut.

I figured that a 16mm socket would fit around the bolt on that pulley. (This was frustrating at first but actually worked better than the 8mm allen key - I am not sure if this is just on 1998 328is' or not, or Canadian versions). How come this isn't mentioned in Bentley's??
The Bentley manual is a good reference overall, but it too has its share of errors and omissions.

The 16mm bolt for the upper tensioner pulley appears to be common on M52 engines with the mechanical (big spring) tensioner.

Thanks G.P.

Removing the fan just seems a waste of time. There is plenty of room to remove and replace the belt, imo.