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donmacn

Member Since: 06 Nov 2017
Location: Nth Scotland
Posts: 1841

Viscous fan removal - any hints or tips?

So, was taking the radiator out this afternoon. Tried to do it 'by the book' by taking the viscous fan off - but no joy. I had bought a cheapy offset spanner to do the job - but it's really poor. Cheap, pressed/cut steel, and it's opening up and getting chewed up.

On the other hand, the nut itself isn't in brilliant nick - rusty and a bit chewed. I have two other 32mm spanners, but they're too thick to get in. I'll head into town tomorrow to see if I can find something else, but has anyone got any suggestions? Any hints and tips that might help? I did try tapping it with a hammer to see if it would 'shock' off, but the spanner is just too poor. What sort of torque is the likely to be at.

....and yes, I do know it's a left hand thread

Having said that, I have managed to get the radiator off. The cowl went back enought to allow me to get to the lower oil pipe - but it was awkward, and will be awkward on the rebuild. I have a new viscous unit to fit, so keen to get this sorted if I can.

Ta

D Donald

1994 Defender 300Tdi 110 SW - owned since 2002 - 230k miles and going strong
(The 'rolling restoration' or tinkering thread: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic58538.html )
2000 Range Rover P38 4.0L V8

in the past..
RR classic - fitted with 200Tdi
1984 RR classic - V8 with ZF auto box
1993 Discovery 300Tdi

not to mention the minis and the Type 2 VW camper...

10th Feb 2018 7:55pm

geobloke

Member Since: 06 Nov 2012
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 4410

Ahhhh.... Old skool viscous removal trick... As taught to me by one old skool tractor mech years ago...

Do not use a double ended viscous fan spanner. Either buy a 32mm spanner and grind down one side until it fits (this is the better way apparently) or source a single ended 32mm viscous fan spanner (this is cheaper and what I did).

Grab LR tool #1 (lump hammer), place spanner at 1 o'clock, lightly press clockwise, TWACK end of spanner with #1 LR tool.

It will work!!! Every time!

It is worth noting that on a 200tdi the Poly-V belt slipping can cause a little agro but persevere and it will work.

10th Feb 2018 8:42pm

Alex1976

Member Since: 23 Jan 2013
Location: Buckingham
Posts: 596

Agree with Geobloke - works every time!

10th Feb 2018 8:55pm

donmacn

Member Since: 06 Nov 2017
Location: Nth Scotland
Posts: 1841

Thanks guys. Land Rover No1 tool was already deployed in exactly the manner described - but the two ended spanner wasn't up to the job.

I can see the Sunday peace being disturbed tomorrow then as the grinder comes out...!

Will report back! Donald

1994 Defender 300Tdi 110 SW - owned since 2002 - 230k miles and going strong
(The 'rolling restoration' or tinkering thread: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic58538.html )
2000 Range Rover P38 4.0L V8

in the past..
RR classic - fitted with 200Tdi
1984 RR classic - V8 with ZF auto box
1993 Discovery 300Tdi

not to mention the minis and the Type 2 VW camper...

10th Feb 2018 9:28pm

donmacn

Member Since: 06 Nov 2017
Location: Nth Scotland
Posts: 1841

Forgot to update this one...

I did just as suggested and ground down an existing 32mm spanner until it was just thin enough to fit on the viscous unit nut, then one wee tap with the hammer, and off it came. Dead simple - and now I know I have something I can rely on when I do the job next time.

Thanks very. much for the advice! Donald

1994 Defender 300Tdi 110 SW - owned since 2002 - 230k miles and going strong
(The 'rolling restoration' or tinkering thread: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic58538.html )
2000 Range Rover P38 4.0L V8

in the past..
RR classic - fitted with 200Tdi
1984 RR classic - V8 with ZF auto box
1993 Discovery 300Tdi

not to mention the minis and the Type 2 VW camper...

12th Feb 2018 6:23pm

Blackhat90

Member Since: 31 Dec 2016
Location: Forfar
Posts: 86

Leave it off ,, i removed mine 15 years ago, never overheated, better mpg too, thats towing 3.5 tons also,, uphill ,downdale,

12th Feb 2018 8:02pm

donmacn

Member Since: 06 Nov 2017
Location: Nth Scotland
Posts: 1841

I think I've heard that said before - though I lean towards the idea that if LR and all their testing thougt it was necessary....

I was going to ask more, but to be honest I know I'd be much more comfortable leaving it 'as is'. Cheers. Donald

1994 Defender 300Tdi 110 SW - owned since 2002 - 230k miles and going strong
(The 'rolling restoration' or tinkering thread: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic58538.html )
2000 Range Rover P38 4.0L V8

in the past..
RR classic - fitted with 200Tdi
1984 RR classic - V8 with ZF auto box
1993 Discovery 300Tdi

not to mention the minis and the Type 2 VW camper...

12th Feb 2018 8:21pm

Retroanaconda

Member Since: 04 Jan 2012
Location: Scotland
Posts: 2647

MPG savings from removal would be imperceptible if they exist at all (which I doubt). Only real benefit is more space in the engine bay.

Far better left on in my opinion.

12th Feb 2018 10:00pm

Klausy

Member Since: 08 Oct 2015
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 5

Hi All,

I am refurbing an E reg '90 and have chosen to remove my viscous fan and replace it with a Kenlowe unit, although I'm several months away from completion so don't ask how it is performing.
I'm not a fan of modifying tools for a one off job you never know when/if you'll need to use the tool for it intended use. I fabricated a removal spanner from a thick sheet of mild steel with a tube on the end for a handle. It's amazing how resourceful you can be if it saves a bit of money.

Cheers
Klaus

20th Feb 2018 3:10pm

Blackhat90

Member Since: 31 Dec 2016
Location: Forfar
Posts: 86

How does your Kenlow fan fit,, i hope its not that type that fixes thru the rad with Zip tie & pads, theyre a bad idea,

21st Feb 2018 7:12pm

Klausy

Member Since: 08 Oct 2015
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 5

To answer your question, I haven't bought the Kenlowe as of yet but that is what I am considering.
I thought that these were the ultimate in cooling fans, what is the issue with them ?

22nd Feb 2018 9:53am

benniferj

Member Since: 20 Oct 2016
Location: Basingstoke
Posts: 361

There is no problem with a Kenlowe fan, they are very good, the previous poster is assuming they are cheap generic eBay tat that clips onto the rad fins in a flimsy manner, the Kenlowe has a proper custom mounting bracket and is very very good.

22nd Feb 2018 10:11am

Blackhat90

Member Since: 31 Dec 2016
Location: Forfar
Posts: 86

Klausy wrote:
To answer your question, I haven't bought the Kenlowe as of yet but that is what I am considering.
I thought that these were the ultimate in cooling fans, what is the issue with them ?

Yeh exactly. i"v seen one of these, it rubbed thru the guys core of the radiator . . i thot it was a kenlowe , few years back, cant remember the make,

22nd Feb 2018 7:02pm

Klausy

Member Since: 08 Oct 2015
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 5

I stand corrected, it's a REVOTEC fan that I am looking to get.
It fixes to a bespoke steel frame that screws to the rad frame and looks like its meant to be there.

22nd Feb 2018 8:26pm

ericvv

Member Since: 02 Jun 2011
Location: Near the Jet d'Eau
Posts: 5816

2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black

Klausy wrote:
To answer your question, I haven't bought the Kenlowe as of yet but that is what I am considering.
I thought that these were the ultimate in cooling fans, what is the issue with them ?

Do a search on here with the words viscous and kenlowe for instance. Quite a few threads come up with little or nothing in favour of electric fans. Below a few examples of what the search throws up. Just thought worth to highlight...
Eric

Retroanaconda wrote:
Unless you need the space (unlikely) then the viscous will be better in every way.

Sapping engine power when cold is a myth, they freewheel until the temperature rises enough to kick them in. And then when it is needed, the viscous fan with its cowling is far far more effective than any electric fan you will be able to fit. Land Rover know what they are doing, hence why all Defenders have had engine-driven fans.

And yes I have had both fitted to mine.

Dave-H wrote:
chopcat wrote:
We had a kenlowe fitted and Vince's advice when we went to Morocco the first time was "you're not coming unless you take that off"

So we did replaced it with viscous one and have had no problems in the 12 years since then.

We found no appreciable difference in power of fuel economy and it seems there is benefit in pulling air through the rad and intercoolers regardless of the temp of the water.

+1
My 'many years' of experiance have taught me never to bother with Kenlowe fans .....

You never actually own a Defender. You merely look after it for the next generation.
http://youtu.be/yVRlSsJwD0o
https://youtu.be/vmPr3oTHndg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GtzTT9Pdl0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABqKPz28e6A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLZ49Jce_n0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvAsz_ilQYU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8tMHiX9lSw
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dxwjPuHIV7I
https://vimeo.com/201482507
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSixqL0iyHw

23rd Feb 2018 4:28am

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