I am doing my timing belt/water pump. I have just about everything off but am having issues with the mechanical fan. I dont see how I can fit a spanner between the pulley and the nut, i can't figure a safe way to jam a screw driver into one of the pulley holes to keep it still while I work on the nut. (broke 1 screwdriver doing it this way).

can anyone help????

 

Is this a 2.8? I just did my 12v timing belt a few weeks ago and had luck taking off the plastic fan bolts and wedging a fairly thick Allen wrench through the side of the fan clutch. There is a spot on the bracket behind the clutch on the left hand side that provides a good 'locking' spot. My clutch was also reverse threaded as are other A4's. Hope this helps bud.

 

Did the same thing on my 1.8T. You just have to jam something in there to keep it from turning. What kinda screwdriver did you snap?

 

will try an allen right now, yes it is a 2.8

 

Worked like a charm reverse thread .... now the fan n pulley are off im tdc. reafy for tmorrow morning. thanks for help

 

okay guys ran into some other questions, the best way to remove the crankshaft pulley? Please keep in mind that everything under the water pump is pretty rusty from a leaking water pump. Any suggestions on holding this thing and getting it off?

thanks all

 

Remove the Allen bolts, not the big center bolt (that's for the oil pump). Soak the Allen bolts with Kroil or DeepCreep, or PB/Liquid Wrench if you only have those, and remove them. Once they're out, you can remove the pulley. Might want to wire brush the pulley's face in case corrosion has frozen the pulley in place, and then soak it with penetrating fluid as well.

 

okay thanks allen bolts are out. Now im trying to get pulley off have it soaking now then wirebrush.....

 

The center of the pulley is machined with a keyed cutout to fit it to the face of the crank gear. It's very precise and fits pretty tightly. Tap the face of the pulley going around the edge with a wooden or rubber mallet and it'll help work it free.

 

everything is off now im degreasing, then putting it all back together.... will post back at the end (hopefully no problems)