Removing waterpump without removing fan and clutch first

[Dave1027]

I'm beginning to formulate a plan for converting over to electric cooling fan. I also want to replace the waterpump while I have everything apart.

To avoid having to unbolt the mechanical fan and fan clutch, can I unbolt everything as a unit at the waterpump? In other words, is there enough access to allow me to first unbolt the waterpump and remove the WP, clutch and fan as a unit?

[danewilson77]

I don't think so. Maybe.

"No flamesuit required"

[ELCID86]

I'm not sure you can get a wrench onto the pump nuts. Can you?

[Johnmadd]

The fan clutch is simple to remove...

[ELCID86]

^ That's a fact Jack. 32mm and mallet. http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1463745-Water-pump-help-Fan-clutch-removal-tool

[danewilson77]

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/28/89a217ae857baebd302eb8dad1e8c2f9.jpg

"No flamesuit required"

[WOLFN8TR]

Mechanical Fan Delete is so worth it! The fan has to come out first to get to the water pump.

[terraphantm]

Not enough room I think. Definitely isn't enough room on the S54. I doubt the M54 is much better there.

[Dave1027]

Yeah. I was hoping to take a short cut but no chance. Thanks

[LivesNearCostco]

I don't have mech fan on my E46 but I recently deleted it from the E36. Funny thing is first time I loosened it, the wrench+hammer method worked perfectly, but the 2nd time it didn't work. I had to brace a prybar or screwdriver on the water pump screws to loose the nut. Of course that was one reason I deleted the whole mech fan + clutch (plus the fan had a broken blade so was unbalanced).

I bought a thin 32mm wrench on eBay and regret that I didn't also buy the water pump holding tool at the same time--could have bought it for about $10 more with the wrench. UUC Motorwerks recently started selling a 32mm wrench+holder combo for a reasonable price.

[ELCID86]

^ Yeah, I got my wrench set off ebay too and sold it here after I sold my AT car.

[Johnmadd]

I just got the right size wrench and used a grinder to make it thin.