Alternator replace - Fans need to remove?
 

I just noticed what looks like different alternator replacement instructions on our sites. One say to remove fans, the other does not.

I'm planning this job for mid week so let me ask now:

Do I have to remove the fans on a 1998 XK8 altenator replacement?

Thanks, John

Go to Gus's site, jagrepair.com. He has instructions and photos. You don't have to remove the fans. Looks fairly easy.

Hi John,
I managed without removing the fans, but (there's always a but) you may find the alternator 'suppression module' in the way. It doesn't show in Gus' pictures as it was deleted from 99 on. I crawled under the front armed with a selection of extensions to get its three carrier bolts out.

There's a split spacer on the rear mounting which can make the alternator difficult to free. Some have concocted a makeshift press out of a stout long bolt and pair of washers. I managed to get a ball joint splitter in place which did the job admirably.

Check the idlers while you have the serpentine belt off.

HTH,
Mike

That's what got me to ask. Gus says to remove fans and I are doing respect his instructions. It'll sure be easier if I can bypass all that. The instructions in the above stickies don't say pull fans.

Oh well maybe it won't be that bad. Alternator comes tomorrow or Wed..

Mikey and Bob Roy thanks for the help. I've got to figure out how to click thank you from phone access.

John

We should close this one out. My vote: YES remove the fans. As I mentioned in another post, I could not easily loosen belt, or get the alternator out with the fans in. Super easy to remove too.

Maybe someone should update the stickie on this?

John o

Remove the fans... and place a piece of cardboard over your radiator fins to keep them from getting squished up. Because squished up fins on a radiator are bad for cooling.

Great idea Gordo. I just finished the job and am going to suggest to Gus, who authored instructions on jagrepair.com, to note:

The screws that each hold a 10mm washer/nut which secures the top of the fans (1left, 1 right side) are not permanently attached you can knock them out of the slot so be careful. Better you care for them early then find one missing at the end of the job.

I tied a short length of fishing line to those two screws for that reason. The line is still there three years after the job. If nothing else, it reminds me to be protective of them.