How To Remove A VW Cooling Fan ~ Salvage Yard Tips

[@sollykhan2385]

I'm truly a 'FAN' of your channel , Charles 😎, thanks for this upload, best way to stay 'Cool' is to sit next to a Fan. 🙂

[@HumbleMechanic]

Hahah thank you!!!

[@sollykhan2385]

@@HumbleMechanic keep posting please, Charles, would love to see a collaboration with 'Eric' the car guy, i think the two of you would make an awesome blockbuster for Mechanics worldwide,what with his catch phrase 'remember to stay 'dirty' Lol! 🙂🙂 it could only ever Happen in America.😇

[@headcas620]

I'm a fan of this video.

[@HumbleMechanic]

+headcas620 FAN-tastic ;)

[@headcas620]

HumbleMechanic It really blew me away.

[@frecmenta5114]

@@headcas620 chill dude :p

[@BenLinn]

whoa this is way easier than this other video i found. good thing i found this one! gonna go swap out my fan now!!!!

[@anathematizedbymegadeth9221]

Just arrived at a pick n pull and finding this video was very helpful.. exactly what I was looking for. Cheers bud 🍺

[@HumbleMechanic]

Nice

[@SavageGTI]

For a mk5 you have to drop the whole shroud through bottom, it's just 4 t30 screws but it is really tight. Easer when you remove the noise pipe.

[@HumbleMechanic]

Yep. I actually just shot a DIY on that exact car

[@MrCthur]

Reminds me of my annual pilgrimages to the scrap yard for a Mk III secondary air injector pump....that would last me just enough to go one more year. Wish they'd come out with proper delete kits a little sooner.

[@sparks2spare782]

Great Video!! Really helped me with swapping out my cooling fan.

[@porthos1000000]

Had the aux cooling fan on my 07 jetta bite the dust, which caused the corresponding fuse to heat up and quit, resulting in no engine fans lol. Like an idiot, I pulled the entire fan bracket out through the bottom, and that was a painful mess. replacement fan and fuses were cheap though, and thankfully the temp gauge worked, otherwise i might've warped a head or worse.

[@stevensaid]

I've done this a couple times for my mk4 and I usually just take the fan with the retaining bracket especially because I'm usually already at the bottom of it when pull the plugs out but its just personal preference

[@HumbleMechanic]

+Steven Said yeah that's doable too. All I have to say about the way I do it is, FLATRATE. :)

[@fuletecarola2995]

Am not a mechanic and tired to do the job in my 1995 VW Cabrio and guess what ? Couldn't change those fans BELT😡😡😡 something so freaking simple 😢.

[@HumbleMechanic]

That fan belt is. Tricky beast

[@WujoCaZa]

Best way to chang a cooling fan. Thanks!

[@K-Rivs]

Both of the fans died on my 05 Golf TDI. I bought the whole assembly with both fans, but I'm wondering if it's easier to just swap the fans like Charles did instead pulling the whole assembly. However, the previous owner of my TDI put a grease car veggie oil kit in it, so there's more lines and filters in the center of the engine bay blocking access to the fans.

[@robthenorm]

Nice video. I have a fan that always is on. Can I unplug it when I reached my destination?

[@mateorollins5684]

Great video! Is it the same steps for the other cooling fan next to it?

[@ReptiAddict]

Ok that looks easy I did something stupid today and droped a tool in my rad I need to take this fan off to get to it lol

[@GarthGoldberg]

I can't find my 10mm socket.

[@vwmaes]

Now do it the same easy way on the vr6 :-) love your video's, they helped me a couple of times on mine

[@HumbleMechanic]

+vwmaes haha yeah the VR is a little tighter. :)

[@Elaba_]

Producing videos of all those common small processes on different VAG cars can increase your fan base.

[@HumbleMechanic]

+Carpe diem glxke I hope so. I really want people to get some good info from them. There is about 16 of them. Haha

[@wayneromanuik7474]

mk7 gti radiator fan wont come on when i bring it to operating temp. I just replaced the engine and trans. I dont want to screw up all iv'e done. fan has power. 34 deg celcius wheather. can seem to figure this one out. Also I'm not a mechanic, but ive gone this far using Your vids and others for help. I thank you greatly for your time. do you have any suggestions? I could really use the help please.

[@dellhart7076]

Can you do the small condenser fan the same way?

[@alcon04]

I always have problem disconnecting the electrical part. Cause I’m afraid I will cut the wires. Also what fan is left or right? Tks

[@rotormasher]

Fan- tastic, thanks for this great tips!!! :)

[@runstokesrun]

Hoping I can do this on my 6L Ibiza using this method

[@vampir335]

is it the same procedure for the small fan?

[@HumbleMechanic]

Yep pretty much!

[@Ramon-lp8fp]

Are all the fans the same for 2.0. Like can 2003 work in a 2001?

[@HumbleMechanic]

Pretty much exactly the same.

[@Ramon-lp8fp]

@@HumbleMechanic awesome thanks. your videos have helped me out a lot. And saved me lots of money.

[@RwingDsquad]

I’d like to see you do this with that huge vr6 in the way

[@HumbleMechanic]

You’re better off pulling the shroud or doing service position on the VR

[@seannaesseannaes]

Hey, I have a 2000 VW golf (Futura edition) I just swapped the clutch from a duel mass, To a single mass, stage 4, 6 ceramic puck disc (clutch, flywheel, pressure plate, throw out bearing) now it's making a rattling/ scraping noise when the clutch is let out. But if you press on the clutch it's fine, no noises. I did remove my brakes and put new ones on and only bled the brakes, not the clutch. Should I bleed the clutch? What else would you check next? I was told the aftermarket clutches (this is a bully stage 4) need more torque on the bolts holding the flywheel, and pressure plate?

[@WordOnTheStreet01]

my small fan on golf 4 TDI got stuck and started to smoke how to I remove it do we use same method?

[@SDSBBQs]

That's right... Work that fan out. I see it going to spin class at the end of the video.

[@EternalyRandom]

I love auto salvage yards.

[@HumbleMechanic]

+Eternaly Random me too. I wish a PAP was closer to me.

[@djmattbskratch]

Howdy Sir, On the MK4 2.8l or 3.2l VR6 should I have enough room to go this route or will I need to pull the bumper and pull radiator slightly away from engine to do this replacement? Im thinkin so just cause it looks like a really tight fit on VR6 engine.. Thank you for you info, I always enjoy your videos bruddah :)

[@nestrac]

Yep... Can't help spinning it for control of bearings.... And it fun.... You can never loose the inner child.... 😁

[@carlhammill5774]

Passats have clutch fan and electric fan. Can you do video showing where each is located. I have AC not working and trying to see if only compressor is not coming on.

[@HumbleMechanic]

The fan is driven by the serpentine belt. The electric fan is on the passenger side

[@nineteen8122]

I just dealt with the same thing on my Passat today. The electric cooling fan is the smaller of the two on the passenger side.

[@nachomax1639]

is the Cabrio MK3.5 the most difficult to do this job, without disconnecting the a/c lines? I had to pull the whole front end apart to get to them. It can't come through the bottom or the top. Decided to change the radiator while at it. Too much labor to just leave the original radiator (276k miles) alone.

[@kennethcollier4660]

Question my motor is still good the fan blade is broken how do I change the parts and keep motor with new fan no motor

[@Vogurt]

mk3 gtis radiator fan disconnected from the bearing today and wont spin the plastic fan :/ noticed once by temp light was on so iskrrrrrrrt'd 2.slowly to the highway and got her cooled down

[@HumbleMechanic]

Yikes!!!

[@Vogurt]

@@HumbleMechanic only thing were having issues with here is the coolant line toward the top/front of the bay. We cranked at it and can't break it loose for fear of breaking it.

[@alvarorosario-rocha4722]

Wow that was quick thanks for that tip

[@ayitsyaboi]

I wish my local yard were that clean. I'm surprised I don't have tetanus and gangrene from the two visits I've made thus far.

[@HumbleMechanic]

+cheddar pull a part has super nice yards

[@andrewfreese5344]

How the hell do I unplug it? Might be a stupid question but it doesn’t seem to want to come, is there a little clip or something?

[@Elleoncito66]

How about taking it of 98 beetle 2.0 none turbo

[@bg4406]

2002 jetta tdi with diesel engine looks different, any videos on that car for the big fan?

[@HumbleMechanic]

Should be basically the same. There were some that bolted the other way. You have to take the shroud out

[@TheSpektacle]

I have that same VW fan. How do I remove the fan from the motor? There doesn't seem to be a simple nut holding it on. Is it pressed on? Also, have you taken apart one of those motors and tried to repair it?

[@HumbleMechanic]

You generally dont want to remove it from the motor

[@TheSpektacle]

@@HumbleMechanic Thanks for the reply! I DO want to remove it to use the motor on another kind of project.

[@HumbleMechanic]

I’ve never got one off in one piece

[@TheSpektacle]

@@HumbleMechanic I was afraid you'd say that! Thanks anyway... I'll let you know if I get it off w/o breaking it.

[@grills8853]

Thank you for this video👍👍👍

[@regiodemty6122]

What about the coolant hose on top? Do you have to remove it to get more room? Cause on mine it seems like it’s on the way btw it’s a 2004 Jetta 2.0

[@HumbleMechanic]

I never do.

[@regiodemty6122]

HumbleMechanic at start of video I can see the hose and at 2:20 didn’t see it , I was asking cause I don’t want to spill coolant

[@IUR12]

Hello there. I own a Volkswagon polo style 2004 engine 1.4, I have two fans on radiator big and a small, small one is for radiator and big one is for Air con, where car gets hot radiator fan works automatically but other fan even I turn on air con+fan it doesn't work, am I rightly describing.? What is the issue behind it isn't working. I have checked fuse but no relay yet.

[@busfairnitrometh]

why remove like that? couldn't the bracket come out with the fan?

[@Bobsteroid]

Agreed. Less chance of damage to radiator, also. The bottom bracket screw can be tricky, though...

[@braddowns17]

Charles how can you work with gloves on? I did so much work on dashes and places where I could not see that most of my work was done by feel.

[@HumbleMechanic]

+Brad Downs i normally don't work with those type of gloves on. Unless I am doing yard work. Ahha. I usually wear nitrile gloves.

[@swenstyle]

how replace small fan? do you have a video?

[@HumbleMechanic]

I dont think so. The process is the same basically.

[@unclebarry78]

Why not take the fan bracket also? It seems it would be easier.

[@HumbleMechanic]

+Barry Sommer maybe. But most everything I do is to do it as fast as possible. Flat Rate.

[@lilliefella6610]

What’s that magnetic tool called?

[@neogeo106]

Thank you! very useful

[@kagekun7689]

that's the radiator fan NOT the Condenser Fan? The SMALLER fan the is condenser fan for the AC and removing the AC fan is slightly different than removing the radiator fan.

[@HumbleMechanic]

They don’t differentiate they both perform both functions

[@mihai2010ist]

Very helpful

[@bennyaguilar377]

nice! how do you figure out if it's broken or what else might cause it to stop spinning. i noticed mine does not come on at all plus it pressed up pretty tight against engine parts.

[@inkredablek]

Is this for Volkswagen Passat 2008? My fan makes noise and once turn off car still can hear the fan running then it fades away.

[@Vogurt]

Your fan stays on to continue cooling your radiator so your radiator can continue to cool your car down.

[@Longship7]

Thanks

[@mikeinkalaoa]

you didn't mention the part where you removed the upper radiator hose

[@HumbleMechanic]

I don’t remove it. It may have been off but no need remove it

[@70RSZ28]

@@HumbleMechanic Thanks for the reply. I was wondering that myself. I might remove the bottom mount bracket screw though. Would hate to break it by bending it.

[@drwatson1234]

A new VW fan (large) came with a little metal clip that might be some kind of balance weight to go on the fan. Does anyone ever use these? It must be hard to figure out which fan blade is out of center and then where to put the weight. Maybe impossible?

[@HumbleMechanic]

Those clips are usually on the fan. They typically balance them when they are made.

[@drwatson1234]

What if you removed the clip by mistake? Is it unbalanced now?

[@Vogurt]

@@drwatson1234 Yes you answer your own questions and dont even have to ask. If you remove the thing they put on to balance it, it does in fact make it unbalanced. Does it effect it massively? Now that i have no idea. As long as it is cooling your radiator.

[@nextlayersecurity]

wow... that lower Turbo or Coolant tube had a HUGE gash in it. probly not to worst thing about this auto at salvage yard. haha. (~~ 2min mark)

[@HumbleMechanic]

Hahaha yea

[@HaloInR3v3rs3]

Aww man...look at all that room you have with a 2.slow. Not going to happen that easy with a VR6 in the way.

[@HumbleMechanic]

+Jeff King haha yea it's a little snug on the VR.

[@fabianx1015]

I know im struggling

[@johansenekal349]

Will this help with my mk 3 golf

[@MyMadhacker]

Same for 03 beetle?

[@All-about-everything]

Which model is this

[@user-di7rw7nd6j]

I chance my fan when there was comig smoke.

[@Photostudioww]

kool vid, but always test a fan before pulling it. this tip is for people pulling from junk yards.

[@HumbleMechanic]

A very good tip

[@TorranceMoreno92]

Nice video

[@HumbleMechanic]

+TorranceMoreno thanks. These videos were fun and I actually got dirty. Hahah

[@loftgroover9271]

Thanks mate

[@duncanhoban2232]

This does not work whatsoever on my 1995 VW jetta mk3, you can't simply "work the fan out" so you have to take the whole front bumper off... This most likely works on the newer versions though.

[@HumbleMechanic]

On the 2.0 I think you have enough room. It's been a while since I have taken one out.

[@AdelJeffreyJeffreysAuto]

and there is a puller fan and a pusher fan.

[@tylerallison8438]

where is that car at? I need that color hood!

[@HumbleMechanic]

+Tyler Allison pull a part in ATL. But this is from earlier this year.

[@jorgereyes3241]

wish it was that easy on the mk5 gti , gli 😂

[@HumbleMechanic]

It's not too bad on the MK5. you have to pull the whole shroud out. I think I did a video on the step by step

[@jorgereyes3241]

@@HumbleMechanic i actually watched it to change the fans on my Gli, big thanks for that 👍 ... what i mean is i wish it was as easy to do it from the top instead of having to jack the car up and take the whole thing out 😭😭💀

[@chinowfgt]

I've just paid $50 to a local mechanic to do this job. I came a little late to here.

[@Apvj612]

How do I install after remove

[@panzerveps]

That's probably your biggest fan.

[@HumbleMechanic]

+panzerveps hahaha i made that joke too. It might make it into the next outtakes

[@dynamo4543]

this is the exact way i did mine on my car & a smart way to do it,idiot mechanics at a shop i went to get my maintenance done were going you need to take off the whole bumper & this & that & im just shaking my head at them & said no you dont need to do this & that

[@tsw199756]

Turn the fan off and your hands won't be cold!

[@michaelkane732]

an electric ratchet would have been so helpful

[@HumbleMechanic]

+Michael Kane right! That's what I use at the shop. Sadly I didn't have it on the yard

[@travis9190]

just so you know your wire will not come disconnected as easily as on this video

[@HumbleMechanic]

With the right tool they usually will.

[@nineteen8122]

HumbleMechanic What tool would you recommend?

[@braydonbentley4041]

The electrical connector is seized on or something. I cant get it off no matter what I do

[@cassandrapeterson7807]

same problem

[@dpradis]

imagine thinking this works on a 1.8 Turbo Beetle where there’s literally NO FUCKING SPACE.

[@HumbleMechanic]

It’s right but totally doable

[@mitchfancey3356]

Lol.. Hes said 10mm nut

[@mwint1982]

More like 10ml ;)

[@Skyomen]

Try that shit on a VR6... 😂

[@HumbleMechanic]

LOL A little snug on the Vr

[@Skyomen]

@@HumbleMechanic yes sir it is, in the shop right now doing the fan, valve cover gasket, fuel lines, intake gaskets, new CAI, exhaust and the rest of my urethane bushings. And on top of all that I'm sure the vacuum lines and various connectors are in the typical brittle state waiting to be touched so they can disintegrate and I'll have to deal with that 😂. Luckily I live 5 min from Urotuning!