Squirrel cage bolt access?

[Mike Kunz]

After a recent engine rebuild on my 2.0-4, I noticed a rattle at idle which got worse with increasing RPM.

After searching around alot (!), I discovered that one of the multiple bolts of the engine fan impeller to pulley assemly was loose and causing the racket. The bolt head is on the engine side of the assembly, most likely an allen bolt from what I can tell in Haynes.

Question: Unless I am mistaken, access to the bolt is nearly impossible. Aside from dropping the motor, I was wondering if it might be possible to unbolt the fan from the crank and move it forward enough to access the bolt head through the timing inspection hole at the top of the engine fan case?

Has anyone experienced this and would someone have advice on how I could get to this bolt with the least amount of hassle?

Thanks!!

Mike

[SGB]

The hole penetrates all the way through the fan "base" I think. This may sound horribly half-assed, and may actually be so, but I think I would try squeezing a fingertip glob of rtv or some similar glue into the hole from the accessible side- reaching in from the top. You might have to lie on the rear trunk (I have before) to reach far enough in there....

just a beer induced thought...

[Mike Kunz]

Thanks, not quite sure how that would work....the bolt head I think is recessed in the face of the fan, but on the side that faces the rear of the car or engine. Need some way to tighten that bolt which (unless I need a beer) can't be reached. The bolt is there, just loose. On the outside of the fan base, you see the bolt coming into a nut.

Or did I misunderstand your hint? Maybe I DO need a beer.

Mike

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

I think that you can (just) get the fan out of the opening in the fan shroud if you take the front sheet metal off. It'll be tight, though.

--DD