Viscous fan removal

Is there some special way to remove the viscous fan? Am I right in thinking its left hand thread?

Managed to use a big lever to stop the pulley moving but can't get it to undo even using a hammer or a length of scaffolding pole, seems stupidly tight.

Am going to be putting electric fans so don't mind messing the viscous unit up if I can get it off.

gooselogan said:

Is there some special way to remove the viscous fan? Am I right in thinking its left hand thread?

Managed to use a big lever to stop the pulley moving but can't get it to undo even using a hammer or a length of scaffolding pole, seems stupidly tight.

Am going to be putting electric fans so don't mind messing the viscous unit up if I can get it off.

Click to expand...

Check the end of the shaft for a L for left hand thread. Sometimes the manufactures will make left hand shafts that way sometimes. good luck

I spent ages battering the bejeezus outta mine with a big screwdriver and a lump hammer trying to loosen it (I'd also been told it was a left-hand thread, but the TD5 in my Defender is NOT left-handed) so I'd inadvertantly tightened it even more. Only after checking the replacement (more than once) was I convinced I'd been mis-informed. Then, when I was on the verge of giving up it just suddenly spun free.

Clanforbes said:

I spent ages battering the bejeezus outta mine with a big screwdriver and a lump hammer trying to loosen it (I'd also been told it was a left-hand thread, but the TD5 in my Defender is NOT left-handed) so I'd inadvertantly tightened it even more. ONly after checking the replacement (more than once) was I convinced I'd been mis-informed. Then, when I was on the verge of giving up it just suddenly spun free.

Click to expand...

So yours was normal right hand thread then?

I'll take a look at the shaft and see if theres an L on it.

gooselogan said:

So yours was normal right hand thread then?

I'll take a look at the shaft and see if theres an L on it.

Click to expand...

Yes, most definitely, the TD5 is NOT left-handed thread, other engines might be, I do not know.

It's gets interesting when TD5 information gets mentioned in a V8 forum.

An LR V8 engine has a left-hand thread viscous fan coupling. Diesels have a RHT.

I wasn't aware of which engine goose has, I just happened on the thread and knowing I'd had a bit of difficulty with mine I mentioned it - but I clearly mentioned that mine is a TD5............ I see now that this thread is in the V8 section (should have picked up on that earlier) so my post is irrelevant.

Anyway, I hope you get it off ok goose.

I had the same problem a little while ago and posted on here. http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f10/viscous-fan-148619.html

Cheers for that Kryztal, I've been trying to do it clockwise, so I've just been doing it up then! Should hopefully be able to get it off now knowing that. Will leave it til next weekend and do it the same time as cam change!

if you are battering then replace the water pump as it will fubar the bearings twice as quick

mine was a pizzapizz to get off, rusty too.

left hand thread indeed

vougese39 said:

if you are battering then replace the water pump as it will fubar the bearings twice as quick

Click to expand...

I was seriously concerned about my water pump after the abuse I had to give it to get the fan off, but it's been ok so far (about 8 months down the line.)

discool said:

It's gets interesting when TD5 information gets mentioned in a V8 forum.

An LR V8 engine has a left-hand thread viscous fan coupling. Diesels have a RHT.

Click to expand...

Strange that...my Disco 200 fan screwed on to my V8 no problem.

Maybe the early ones were different, 2.5 td fitted the V8 as well Hmmm.

serpentine belt v8s other way round rh thread

I assume it is to do with the rotation of the engine regards which thread is used.

I assume the v8 and the diesel rotate the same way? The transmissions are basically the same so they must do.

Odd that the serp v8 changed thread - I'm pretty sure the pulleys turn clockwise when looking at the front of the engine, that would explain the left hand thread on my 3.5

Why then would you stick a right hand on the serp motor - unless they were sharing parts bin with a more popular opposite rotation motor...?

On a 300tdi,bought a rubber mallet from the market for a quid,fan spanner off ebay that is cranked to clear fan,sharp blows with said mallet until movement (slight) then spannered off....took ages as the thread was quite fine.

Dont know HOW different other,more recent LRs are but this pretty much sums up my experience of removing viscous fans.

But,yes....it IS somewhat vital to know which way to go....as in so many facets of life........

Got it off pretty easily with a spanner and some small box section for a lever. Definitely helps to know which way to undo it

May be I should have posted this link a bit earler http://site.heritagerovers.com/v8-fan-blade-removal.pdf