Radiator Fan Removal

[Normthe1]

G'day all,

Just returned from the beach and when I started the D3 I heard a very brief strange sound before the beast kicked over.

I went forward out of the carpark and then wrenched my shoulder out of its socket and it was immediately apparent that I had lost power steering. Got out and had a check and saw that the belt was off its tracks, but not broken. Still nice and shiny too, no sign of wear.

I only live about 3 minutes from the beach so drove it home and have now had a look.

From a quick search I have found that it is quite easy to get the serpentine belt back on track, after the fan is removed. This I found out after an hour of 'almost but not quite' getting it back on.

Question: How do you get the fan off? I'm hesitant to take a flat screwdriver to that electronic connector without knowing if there is any trick to the rest of it. What is under that connector???


Cheers,


Norm

[Normthe1]

More mucking around revealed the true cause of the belt slipping off.

The pulley at the top on the passenger side has moved due to the casing of what I think is the A/C compressor cracking and the whole pulley end moves quite freely.

Question 2: What is the pulley for? Is it the A/C compressor??

Question 3: Can I drive it the 15-20 mins to my mechanic? Besides the alternator etc, is there anything critical to the engine running off the serpentine belt???


Norm

[sniegy]

TOPIx - TOPIx

I hope this works.

[Graeme]

Question 3: Can I drive it the 15-20 mins to my mechanic? Besides the alternator etc, is there anything critical to the engine running off the serpentine belt???

The water pump, the brake vacuum pump and the power steering pump! Apart from overheating the engine, the vehicle would be a danger to others.

[Normthe1]

TOPIx - TOPIx

I hope this works.

It just brought me to the front page Pete, sorry...

[Normthe1]

The water pump, the brake vacuum pump and the power steering pump! Apart from overheating the engine, the vehicle would be a danger to others.

You're being very coy, but I get your drift...!

[Normthe1]

Is it the A/C compressor???

Here is the best photo I can get of the cracked housing...

[Nomad9]

Hi Norm,
When the key on my Pootrol broke a few years ago and the only way to get it going again was to take it to the stealer for reprogramming the RAC truck trailered the vehicle to the local stealer. I'm not sure if you are in the RAC but this could be an option. If you aren't a member maybe join quickly and give them a call. Would be cheaper than getting a local tow truck maybe.........cheaper than toasting the beloved truck.

[Nomad9]

Hi Norm,
If you are really stuck I have a friend who has a tilt tray,another option.

[Normthe1]

Hi Norm,
If you are really stuck I have a friend who has a tilt tray,another option.

Thanks Marty but my first attempt will be to get Allianz to accept responsibility as it looks to me to be clearly a catastrophic failure of the unit, rather than wear and tear. Doesn't it??? Somebody reassure me...

I have a mate who runs one of the local Tow companies and I'm sure he would help me out but again, I'm hoping to get Allianz to come to the party, like they did with the transmission. (Still the best $3k I ever spent)