To much amusement to my suffering race car mechanic (AKA Spanners) I always have trouble removing the cooling fan, he just comes along - does something then the fan pops off!

So the question to you all and to stop Spanners taking the p**s what's your method?

Take a look here, Simon

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1798

Thanks Jonathan, nice to see that someone has the same problem as me

Hi Simon.

My problems are legion...

Anyways, using the blow torch worked a treat. I'd like to emphasise that the flame was turned to virtually its lowest setting, to a blue, 'lazy' flame around an inch or so long (absolutely NO roaring!). With this, there was little risk of damaging the plastic fan blades with excess heat.

I played the flame on the underside of the starting dog, and kept it there for around 20 seconds at a time before turning the fan so's another area got the heat. It takes a good few minutes to warm it all up slowly this way, but the good thing is that the crankshaft spigot was left barely luke-warm afterwards, so absolutely no risk of damage to oil seals or anything else. The metal dog of the fan itself was left just too hot to hold - but not scorching - and the plastic parts just felt 'warm'. So, it can be a safe process.

It doesn't take much heat for steel to expand a tiny bit, and a tiny bit is all that's required to 'crack' the join.

Good luck

Spanners turned up at the house today, took him 30 seconds (if that) to get the thing off (I loosened it obviously)

just a thought about fans Simon, for the 24hr we really need to stockpile a few of the fans that don't break, spanners will know what I mean, but certain fan pulleys are prone to fatiguing at high revs and they can take the oil cooler with them when they let go (6 hours on the m20 waiting for recovery).

P.S. Thanks for the springs, really appreciate it, will buy you a bottle at snetterton, what's your preference?

no probs Russell, we can sort a bottle we can share I will dig the springs out, I had one in my hand today, so 3 to go!

We have a box of fans (lets hope we don't need them all)

I just wiggle the socket & extension bar that I've used to undo the bolt or if that doesn't work, give it a smart knock upwards with a hammer as described in the Haynes manual

he won't let me watch - 'its a secret'

Simon - it's obviously just like the 'getting the lid off the jar of beetroot' scenario; by the time everyone and their aunt's had a go, the baby of the family manages it without even a grunt.

Not that I'm calling Spanners a baby, of course...

(Isn't it just annoying when that happens... )