Radiator Fan Removal

[psenior1]

My radiator fan is making a hell of a racket, I've tried wd40 & some spray grease - seems like the bearings are knackered, deffo not snagging the housing.  Accordng to the Haynes manual I have to remove the lights, bumper and radiator to change - is this right???

I'm not surprised it's had it, not had the car long and the previous owner has been driving around for a while with the fan constanly running as the thermostat had bust 

[AudiA8Quattro]

Probably right yes, i changed a radiator on a mk3 vr6 and i needed to take off the lights,bumper and front crossmember.

[Pugster]

Yes mate thats right, did one a few weeks ago.

You have to remove grill, headlights, bumper and front cross member just to get at the radiator which also has to come out. Then you will see 3 bolts holding the fan to the housing. It's a bit of a mad way of doing things but all came apart ok and went back together no problems, you just have to make sure you undo all neccessary bolts and unclip the front of the wiring harness from behind the cross member, and dont forget your outside temp sensor which is located in the blanking panel of the bumper, drivers side.

Have fun.

Steve.

[psenior1]

cheers Pugster, how long did it take you??

[Pugster]

Hi mate,

I would say a couple of hours at most, everything came apart quite easily. It was a lot simpler to do that what it seamed like when i first looked at it.