Cooling system issue

[bleeintn]

I thought I had joined this forum a long time ago, but apparently I did not.

So, pulling into by driveway this morning, after getting home from work, the "check gauges" light came on and steam was rolling from under the hood. Hot coolant was spraying everywhere.

No biggie. I'm confident in my abilities to change a thermostat/housing and water pump if needed. Problem is, I can't get the fan nut to break free. Hitting the wrench with a hammer isn't getting it done. My first issue, is where/what could I buy this weekend to hold the water pump pulley in place, as I turn the nut? Lots of things on Amazon, but unfortunately, I need to tackle it this weekend. Advance Auto has the "BMW Fan wrench set", but that wrench is 32mm and not 36mm. I could buy it and just use the second holder tool with my big ass adjustable wrench. Or... somethin more reasonable? I've already spent almost $400 on everything I need to chance both the tstat and water pump, so being frugal would be appreciated.

I rolled the dice and hoped it was just the tstat housing. Nope! Coolant pouring out at a steady stream after running a few minutes. Would the weep hole cause it to leak THAT much? And don't water pumps usually squeal on their way out? This episode this morning was a complete surprise. Anyway, I can't change the water pump until I get that fan nut off.

Help?

(Thanks in advance for your replies!)

 

[MountaineerTom]

Do you have an air compressor? If so, you can use an air hammer it will pop it loose in a matter of seconds. Harbor Freight has them for pretty cheap if you have one nearby.

Put the air hammer on the edge of the nut and pull the trigger. It loosens it up enough to turn off by hand.

You could also remove the belt and use a belt wrench on the water pump pulley to hold it still while you turn the fan clutch nut. Pretty sure Harbor Freight has those too.

 

[bleeintn]

No air tools, unfortunately. I DO have a strap wrench... somewhere. I just can't find it.

Ended up ordering a pulley holder wrench from Advance Auto, and I'm waiting for to get here. Unfortunately, I'm at the mercy of door dash or Uber eats or whatever ride share they use for same day deliveries. It was picked up from the store about 30 minutes after I ordered it at 8:30. (I should be mowing my yard while I'm waiting lol)

Thank you for the response. I'll look again for the strap wrench.

 

[bleeintn]

So... FINALLY got it fixed. It was the water pump, and once I got the right tool(s) to remove that nut, it went smoothly. That is, till I broke one of the spring hose clamps and had to ask a friend to run by Auto Zone and pick up an order I placed online.

I ended up getting this set from O'Reilly's

It was pretty expensive for likely a one off job. Amazon has the same set for less than $50. The 36mm wrench fit perfectly, but the pulley holder pins would NOT fit the bolt holes on the water pump/pulley (either side). Ended up using the triangle-looking piece, but the hole was too big for the water pump bolt. After putting a washer on it, the bolt was too short to start. Ended up using the bottom thermostat bolt to hold the triangle piece. Using a jack handle for leverage, the fan nut broke free easily enough.

I HAD ordered just the pulley holder from Advance early this morning. Then they text me telling me no one picked the order up. Then, I receive a message at 3:40 saying it's been picked up and will be delivered at 4:25. However, at 4:18 I get a message saying the order has been canceled and I'll "have to contact the store directly for more information". Apparently they closed at 3 or 4pm today, and they're closed all day tomorrow (Sunday). And OF COURSE they've already charged my card. (grumble grumble).

ANYWAY, all is well and it's back up and running. I really shouldn't complain. It's an 02, and I got it Sept 05 and other than putting a new crate engine in, sometime around 2011, I've not had to do anything but change the oil. Might as well keep it around a little while longer.

Thank you for the suggestion earlier!

 

[MountaineerTom]

Glad you got it up and running.

Welcome to the site as well.