Got a problem with the aircon intake fan, i.e. the one at the front behind the radiator next to the "normal" fan. It is very noisy when the aircon is on and, from the movement on the spindle, it looks like the bearing is shagged.

I'm supposed to be getting a quote from the garage for them to supply and fit a new one but I thought it can't be that difficult and they'll probably need some of my limbs as payment. I phoned GSF for a price myself and apparently there are several different types even for my car, so I need to get at the old one in order to find the OEM part number, which you can't see just by looking down from the top of the engine bay.

There's not much space down there between the rad and the engine. There are some nuts holding the fan onto a framework thingy, but the framework thingy is fixed somehow to another frame behind the rad, and I can't see how it undoes.

So... anyone got a manual for a Passat, covering '99 1.8SE Estate, could you have a look at the relevant pages and let me know how the f*ck I'm supposed to get the thing off?

A quick scan of the page and an email to me would be even better.

TIA

Simon

You can take the front bumper off, then there are 8 bolts holding the service assembly on. Replace 2 of the bolts with some m8 threaded bar, then undo the others - the whole assembly slides forward to get at it - it makes enough room to change the cambelt. You might need to undo some other bits - bonnet lock, etc. - the whole procedure is in the haynes manual. I'm away from home so can't scan the pages for you, but its not too bad a job....

Hth,

Vince

Thanks for the reply... trying to visualise the "service assembly" sliding forward, since it is behind the radiator?

Anyone else got a manual nearby that they could look at for me?

Cheers

Simon

Hi Simon,

The service assembly is actually the bit the radiators attach to, the whole lot including rads can pull forward about 6 - 8 inches without disconnecting any of the water pipes. I can scan you the bits in the manual, but not till I get home at the weekend... It's a shame Haynes started shrink-wrapping them.....

ok, cheers