Help needed. Drive pulley nut stuck.

I was going to replace the thermostat on my auto trans 03 325 today. I had read on the forum that if a sharp pull on the wrench doesn't loosen the water pump drive pulley nut(the 32 mm one) you can put the wrench on the nut and hit the wrench with a hammer to loosen the nut. Naturally, the wrench slipped and cracked the plastic coupler between the thermostat and upper radiator hose.

I was hoping to put this off until this spring but now, coolant has dripped on the belts so I'm going to do my whole cooling system. At about 70k miles, it's about time anyway.

So, two questions. First, is there a good way to remove that nut without the proper tool? I'm not averse to buying the tool, I'll need it again 70k from now. But I had read of other methods. I just couldn't get anything to work.

Does anyone have a sketch of the tool? I have the ability to manufacture one myself. I just need to know where to drill the holes.

Second question. Last year, I bought a waterpump from a former fester who sold his car and was selling spare parts cheap. The box it came in doesn't have the correct label on it. I'm sure it's correct but I just wanted to ask. Does this look like an E46 waterpump to you guys?

Thanks for your help and opinions guys. I'm surprisingly keeping a cool head about this setback but somehow it always seems what should have been an hour and 50 bucks, will now be about 4 hours and a lot more money. Oh well...

Looks correct. Run part numbers if you want.

Sent from my SPH-D700 using Bimmer

Borrowed this from the `Fanatics:

drummersam65
Registered User


Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Boston/GB
Posts: 410
My Ride: 323i
View My Garage I just replaced my waterpump and installed pullies and I didnt even need this tool. All you have to do is stick a normal sized screwdriver in between the bolts and it will hold it in place. The only downside is that I bent the screwdriver but its not big deal. Also, my car has 117k on it and the waterpump has never been touched, so it wasnt just a case of a loose or newly installed nut.

Originally Posted by Fast Bob

Borrowed this from the `Fanatics:

drummersam65
Registered User


Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Boston/GB
Posts: 410
My Ride: 323i
View My Garage I just replaced my waterpump and installed pullies and I didnt even need this tool. All you have to do is stick a normal sized screwdriver in between the bolts and it will hold it in place. The only downside is that I bent the screwdriver but its not big deal. Also, my car has 117k on it and the waterpump has never been touched, so it wasnt just a case of a loose or newly installed nut.

Yup, tried that. I was able to hold the pulley in place but then couldn't get enough leverage on the wrench to turn the nut. Maybe a breaker bar on the end of the screwdriver...

And, by the way, finally found a use for my obsolete campy headset wrench.

I have the tools and you're welcome to borrow them, and, I'm right down the street in Clinton.

Originally Posted by charlesberry

I have the tools and you're welcome to borrow them, and, I'm right down the street in Clinton.

Thanks for the offer. I'm on a tight schedule, but I sent a pm to make arrangements.

Originally Posted by jonathan2263

Does anyone have a sketch of the tool? I have the ability to manufacture one myself. I just need to know where to drill the holes.

Of course we have a CAD drawing of the tools!

Rest assured, quite a few people have successfully made their own tools from this CAD diagram (from Japan to Massachusetts).

Plus, any Home Depot or Bicycle Shop or Plumbing Store has a $5 equivalent that works just was well, say some.

It's all in the bestlinks!

- How to make your own BMW cooling system overhaul viscous fan clutch nut counterhold tools (1) (2)

Thanks Bluebee, I knew I had seen that before, just couldn't find it. I will eventually make my own. For this time, looks like I'll be able to borrow one.

I actually do run a bicycle shop. We don't have anything that looks like that, but 32mm wrenches are common. I guess batting 500 ain't bad...

One more than one car I have had to whack it with a hammer more than a few times. But they almost always come off, you just have to hit it HARD with a 3lb mini sledge. And make sure you are hitting toward the drivers side of the car (reverse threaded).

theres also a trick with a string on how to get it off once its loose
saw a youtube video on it before

Originally Posted by Tfk

theres also a trick with a string on how to get it off once its loose
saw a youtube video on it before

Turning it by hand seems easier to me. Tip for future ease of removal, put a dab of anti-seize on the inside of the nut or the water pump threaded section for the shaft. Then removal is a cinch.

Originally Posted by smolck

One more than one car I have had to whack it with a hammer more than a few times. But they almost always come off, you just have to hit it HARD with a 3lb mini sledge. And make sure you are hitting toward the drivers side of the car (reverse threaded).

Was definitely trying to unscrew clockwise. I had a headset wrench on the nut and was trying to give it a good whack with my 3lb hammer when I must have missed and broke the hose coupling.
But thanks to the awesome BMW/E46 community, I'm able to borrow the correct wrench, plus I now have the drawing so I can manufacture my own for future use. What was that joke about BMW's and Porcupines? Must be jealousy and loneliness...
I had my expansion tank and related parts replaced about 20k miles ago. I'm going to replace the water pump, belts, thermostat and pulleys. With the right tools, and considering that I get easily distracted and start cleaning everything in sight , I still think I can bang it out in about three hours.

Hey guys-
Just wanted to follow up.
I now have a new water pump, thermostat, upper hose, both belts and new pulleys. This job was actually pretty easy once I got the right tools. If your going to overhaul your cooling system, I would highly recommend getting the correct wrenches to remove the fan clutch. To that end, I will be manufacturing one of my own, courtesy of Bluebee's drawing, and will try to make it available to any fester who needs it.

Also, a huge thanks to chuckberry for the most generous loan of his wrenches. All the folks on this forum have made my life much easier. I honestly don't believe I could afford to own this car if there wasn't such a great forum to help.

So once more, a huge Thank You to all the festers. Now please excuse me, the twisties beckon.

Originally Posted by jonathan2263

Hey guys-
Just wanted to follow up.
I now have a new water pump, thermostat, upper hose, both belts and new pulleys. This job was actually pretty easy once I got the right tools. If your going to overhaul your cooling system, I would highly recommend getting the correct wrenches to remove the fan clutch.

The right tools make or break a DIY job, thats for damn sure.

Originally Posted by jonathan2263

Does this look like an E46 waterpump to you guys?

In case it helps, here is a thread with pictures of most of the waterpumps:
- What brand of waterpump to buy (1)

Originally Posted by jonathan2263

I will eventually make my own.

In that referenced thread, there are quite a few pictures of home-made viscous fan clutch nut counterhold tools.


Me? I simply bought them on Ebay for twenty or so bucks:


Here is, for example, mine in action:

Originally Posted by jonathan2263

I actually do run a bicycle shop. We don't have anything that looks like that, but 32mm wrenches are common.

This bike-shop tool is reputed to work:


But, it seems kind'a short.

Of course, this one is kind'a long!

Originally Posted by smolck

they almost always come off, you just have to hit it HARD with a 3lb mini sledge.

Here is the BFH method, illustrated:


And, I think this one is the famous Smolck himself, in action:

Note: Ignore the text caption in the pic as the picture is being re-used from that thread.

Originally Posted by Tfk

theres also a trick with a string on how to get it off once its loose

Do you mean the trick to get it back on straight?

Ask me how I know:
- How not to put your E39 fan clutch back on (crooked fan clutch nut)


It was only later that I learned the rawhide trick!
- 5 Series DIY > DIY - Fan Clutch Nut Installation

Originally Posted by Tfk

The right tools make or break a DIY job, thats for damn sure.

I must agree with this sentiment!

When I did my complete belt drive system overhaul, and then, just two months later, my complete cooling system overhaul (yes, I now believe you should do 'em both at the same time but I make every mistake in the book), the right tools made all the difference.

Ask me how I know!
- How not to remove the large radiator hose connector spring clips (1)
- How not to remove the nipple from the E39 radiator (broken radiator nipple)
- How not to put your E39 fan clutch back on (crooked fan clutch nut)
- How not to bleed your E39 cooling system (1) (broken bleeder screw)
- How not to replace your E39 thermostat (thermostat loom misplaced)
- How not to remove your E39 expansion tank (broken expansion tank nipple & cn90 repair)

etc.

Of course, some people still make do with innovative tools, as shown below:






But, for those who can afford the 'right' tools, this is the set to die for!

Originally Posted by jonathan2263

Hey guys-
Also, a huge thanks to chuckberry for the most generous loan of his wrenches. All the folks on this forum have made my life much easier. I honestly don't believe I could afford to own this car if there wasn't such a great forum to help.

So once more, a huge Thank You to all the festers. Now please excuse me, the twisties beckon.

Thanks for the shout out, (just saw this)!!