300TDi valve clearances, fan cowling, coolant, etc...

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fishsponge

fishsponge

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I decided I may as well check my valve clearances at the weekend. I've never driven a diesel before, so have nothing to compare the noise to, so I figured if I check them, then i'll know they're done!

However, it may not be as simple as I'd hoped.

So far, I've found 2 methods - removing the fan and putting a socket on the crank pulley or leaving everything in place and flicking the ignition to get the engine to turn over time and time again until it stops in the right places.

Method 2 sounds less than ideal, because i could be there hours trying to get it to stop in the right place.

Method 1 sounds better, but to remove the fan i have to remove the cowling, and to remove the cowling I have to drain the coolant.

Or so I'm told.

So... what is the standard method of doing this?

I'm aware that it should be done cold, with clearances of 0.2mm or 0.008", the lock nuts should be done up to 25nm and I should use the "rule of 9", but it's the method of turning the engine over that i'm stuck with.

On the bike i'd use the kick start or the back wheel, but that's tricky on a Disco!
 
No, no, no.

Just whip the removable to over off the fan, spin the fan off with a viscous fan spanner and that will get you access to the crank bolt, don't flick the starter, not good.

It's a nice easy job.

You can just get a socket on the crank with the fan on but it's not easy at all, better to get fan off. Put a dab of copper grease on the fan threads when it goes back on.
 
ok... so first of all i don't have a "viscous fan spanner", and i'm sure Halfords aren't gonna have a clue what one of those is.

Secondly, once the fan is off, will it just lift out through the gap in the top of the cowling where the small removable cover clips on? ...cos i've been told the cowling has to come off to take the fan out...
 
everybody has a fan removing tool,
it comes in two parts
1. hammer
2. long screw driver
and it will come out of the top no problem
and once it's off leave it off
 
Wow... i'm surprised Halfords sell something that specific, but thanks for the link! :)

Have to say though... it does look very much like a normal spanner.

As for leaving the fan off once i've removed it, I don't think that's particularly great idea for me in particular. I do spend time in traffic jams in the middle of summer on my way to and from work. No fan would potentially cause problems.
 
fishsponge said:
Wow... i'm surprised Halfords sell something that specific, but thanks for the link! :)

Have to say though... it does look very much like a normal spanner.

As for leaving the fan off once i've removed it, I don't think that's particularly great idea for me in particular. I do spend time in traffic jams in the middle of summer on my way to and from work. No fan would potentially cause problems.
Click to expand...


dont worry about removing the fan - just stick it in the back - yu can refit it without a spanner - just spin it on and its will lock itself on - thats what i do.
 
leave fan in the boot with the spanner,mine has been off for over a year,not been needed yet-left it ticking over for 4 hrs by mistake last summer never got above normal-they seem to be massively over cooled(assuming the cooling system is in good shape)
 
I'm pretty sure you don't need to remove the fan to turn the engine over on the crank pulley nut. I reckon you can get a bar and socket in from underneath.
 
paul_c said:
I'm pretty sure you don't need to remove the fan to turn the engine over on the crank pulley nut. I reckon you can get a bar and socket in from underneath.
Click to expand...

You probably could but it takes about 15 seconds to remove the fan once you've done it a couple of times, and it does create a lot more space to work.

Ben
 
so... once I have a "viscous fan removal tool", removing the fan is easy. Can I not just use a big spanner instead?

As for not bothering to put the new fan back on, in a traffic jam for 1 hour, let's say, on the hottest day of the year with no wind, and someone's exhaust pipe pushing hot fumes into my engine bay, and with the air intake inside the engine compartment (as I have a K&N filter at the moment), are you all saying it definitely won't overheat???
 
fishsponge said:
so... once I have a "viscous fan removal tool", removing the fan is easy. Can I not just use a big spanner instead?

As for not bothering to put the new fan back on, in a traffic jam for 1 hour, let's say, on the hottest day of the year with no wind, and someone's exhaust pipe pushing hot fumes into my engine bay, and with the air intake inside the engine compartment (as I have a K&N filter at the moment), are you all saying it definitely won't overheat???
Click to expand...


1) no - coz it needs to be thin and cranked to get into the aperture.

2) it takes all of 3 minutes to refit it without the spanner, let alone with. Tiz a piece of ****.
 
paul_c said:
I'm pretty sure you don't need to remove the fan to turn the engine over on the crank pulley nut. I reckon you can get a bar and socket in from underneath.
Click to expand...

even with a steering guard in place?

The Mad Hat Man said:
2) it takes all of 3 minutes to refit it without the spanner, let alone with. Tiz a piece of ****.
Click to expand...

but that means i'll have to remember to watch the temperature gauge under certain circumstances, whereas now i can ignore it for the most part... i'll have a think........

part of me wants the better MPG removing the fan can bring, but part of me wants to not have to remember to keep an eye on the temperature gauge every time it's warm outside, if you know what i mean...
 
fishsponge said:
even with a steering guard in place?



but that means i'll have to remember to watch the temperature gauge under certain circumstances, whereas now i can ignore it for the most part... i'll have a think.

part of me wants the better MPG removing the fan can bring, but part of me wants to not have to remember to keep an eye on the temperature gauge every time it's warm outside, if you know what i mean...
Click to expand...


HAVE FAITH :)

wimp :eek:.
 
the fan spanner is cranked/offset-fits easier.
On the no fan,coming down the M1 last summer at 75mph,hit stationary traffic at roadworks-temp gauge just dropped a little-really doesn't seem to need a fan-also ran it to south wales and back to pick up big woodburner-and last month,cambride and back towing a trailer,to pick up small boat-no fan of course
 
hmm... i might try the no-fan approach then... my paranoid side might not let me though.

And as for being a wimp, it's not that i'm a wimp - it's that i'm broke! if I damage my engine because i've tried something out and forgotten to check something, it would be depressing! This is my only car, and although i do enjoy the occasional Pay & Play day, i generally try not to damage it, and the gain in MPG potentially outweighs the risk for me and my memory, especially considering I don't have infinite funds to fix car problems!
 
Last edited:
The Mad Hat Man said:
dont worry about removing the fan - just stick it in the back - yu can refit it without a spanner - just spin it on and its will lock itself on - thats what i do.
Click to expand...


Do you need to mention the fan is on a left hand thread?

The TD5 isn't but my recollection of the 300 tdi says Left Hand Thread.

Is that correct?
 
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