How do you remove the fan belt - 2000 BMW 3 Series

should not be necessary
remove the belt from the pulleys then put the belt over the top of a fan blade , turn the fan and put the belt over the next blade and so until the belt is in front of the fan then pull it out between blades
fitting belt is the reverse procedure

to remove clutch fan you need to remove upper fan shroud, you need large wrench to remove the fan clutch retaining nut to remove fan and clutch away from the engine drive belt should keep pulley from turning while loosen fan clutch retaining nut.if pulley belt turns while loosen fan clutch bolt remove drive belt use strap wrench hold pulley while you remove fan clutch bolt this procedure for checvrolet if you working on volkswagon you need spanner wrench hold the idler pulley while you use large wrench to loosen the large drive nut to fan clutch. you have to remove fan with clutch from engine then you can remove clutch from fan you can go to auto parts stores rent a spanner wrench try auto zone they rent out tools.

I have a 1997 Rodeo so I'm not sure it is the same, but if your waterpump is located under the timing belt cover like mine is and is driven by the timing belt ...

1) Remove the upper fan shroud
2) Remove the (4) nuts then the cooling fan assembly
3) Remove the power steering drive belt
4) Remove the air conditioning compressor drive belt
5) Remove the generator drive belt
6) Remove the fan pulley assembly
7) Remove the crankshaft pulley
8) Remove the oil cooler hose
9) Remove the timing belt cover
10) Remove the timing belt pusher
11) Mark where the timing belt is currently seated in the cam and crankshaft gears (be real sure you know what you are doing here!!!)
12) Remove the timing belt
13) Drain the radiator
14) Remove the waterpump

You shouldn't have to remove the fan in order to replace the alternator or belt.

Timing Belt Removal & Installation SOHC To Remove:

1. Disconnect battery negative cable.
2. Remove fresh air duct.
3. Drain engine coolant into an appropriate container and retighten radiator drain plug.
4. Remove upper radiator hose.
5. Remove fan clutch assembly bolts.
6. Remove 5 cooling fan shroud bolts.
7. Remove fan shroud and fan as an assembly.
8. Loosen alternator mounting bolts and remove drive belt from pulley.
9. Remove fan pulley.
10. Remove 4 cooling fan assembly bolts.
11. Remove cooling fan assembly.
12. Remove 4 bolts and upper timing belt cover.
13. Remove 2 lower bolts and lower timing belt cover.
14. Loosen adjusting bolt and remove A/C belt.
15. Remove alternator belt.
16. Loosen power steering pump lock bolt and mounting bolt.
17. Remove drive belt from crankshaft damper. Camshaft timing marks
    
    
18. Turn crankshaft until timing mark on front housing and the arrow "2" on the camshaft pulley align.
19. Remove 5 bolts and remove damper.
20. Remove timing belt guide from timing belt pulley.
21. Loosen tensioner lock bolt.
22. Pry tensioner away from timing belt and tighten lock bolt to relieve tension on the timing belt. NOTE: Mark the direction of timing belt rotation on the belt if it is being reused.
    
23. Remove timing belt.

To Install:
Timing belt pulley timing marks

NOTE: Timing belt pulley timing mark and timing mark must be aligned.
Camshaft timing marks

NOTE: The arrow at "2" on camshaft pulley must be aligned with timing mark on front housing.
Timing belt installation

1. Install timing belt with minimal slack from timing belt pulley to water pump and from water pump to camshaft pulley.
2. Loosen tensioner lock bolt until tension is applied to timing belt. CAUTION
   Do not turn crankshaft counterclockwise.
   
3. Turn crankshaft pulley 2 full turns clockwise and ensure timing marks are properly aligned.
4. Tighten tensioner lock bolt to 33 ft lb (45 Nm).
5. Apply a force of 21 lb to timing belt midway between idler pulley and camshaft pulley.
   • Deflection should measure 0.43-0.51 inch (11-13 mm)
   NOTE: if timing belt deflection is incorrect remove timing belt and install NEW tensioner spring.
   
6. Install timing belt guide.
7. Install crankshaft damper pulley.
8. Install 5 crankshaft damper pulley bolts. Tighten bolts to 132 in lb (15 Nm).
9. Install power steering pump drive belt.
10. Adjust power steering pump drive belt tension and tighten lock bolt and mounting bolt.
11. Install alternator drive belt.
12. Install A/C drive belt.
13. Install lower timing belt cover and bolts. Tighten bolts to 84 in lb (10 Nm).
14. Install upper timing belt cover and bolts. Tighten bolts to 84 in lb (10 Nm).
15. Install cooling fan assembly and 4 bolts. Tighten bolts to 27 ft lb (37 Nm).
16. Install fan pulley.
17. Install fan clutch and shroud as an assembly. Tighten bolts to 74 in lb (8 Nm).
18. Tighten 4 cooling fan nuts to 16 ft lb (22 Nm).
19. Adjust alternator belt tension and tighten alternator mounting bolts.
20. Install upper radiator hose.
21. Install fresh air duct.
22. Connect battery negative cable.
23. Refill/bleed cooling system.

DOHC To Remove:

1. Disconnect battery negative cable.
2. Remove fresh air duct.
3. Remove 5 cooling fan shroud bolts and 4 thermo-modulated fan nuts.
4. Remove 4 thermo-modulated fan shroud fasteners.
5. Remove generator drive belt.
6. Remove fan pulley (located above crankshaft pulley).
7. Remove 4 bolts and splash shield (located under front of vehicle).
8. Remove A/C drive belt and power steering drive belt. Timing Belt Removal
   
   
9. Remove 5 bolts and upper timing belt cover.
10. Remove 2 bolts and lower timing belt cover.
11. Loosen tensioner lock bolt and pivot tensioner pulley outboard.
12. Retighten tensioner lock bolt. NOTE: Mark timing belt for rotation if it is being reused.
    
13. Remove timing belt.

To Install:
Crankshaft match marks

1. Align marks on timing belt pulley and pump body. Camshaft pulley alignment marks
   
   
2. Align marks on camshaft pulleys with alignment marks on seal plate.
3. Install timing belt. NOTE: No looseness should exist on the tension side and at the camshaft pulleys.
   
4. Loosen tensioner lock bolt.
5. Turn crankshaft 2 revolutions in direction of rotation and check that timing marks are still in alignment.
6. Tighten timing belt tension lock bolt to 27-38 ft lb (32-52 Nm).
7. Apply a force of 22 lbs to timing belt between camshaft sprockets.
   • Belt deflection should measure 0.30-0.33 in (7.5-8.5 mm)
   NOTE: Replace tensioner spring if timing belt deflection is excessive.
   Timing Belt Installation
   
   
8. Install lower timing belt cover.
9. Install upper timing belt cover.
10. Install power steering drive belt and adjust belt tension.
11. Install fan pulley.
12. Install generator drive belt and adjust belt tension.
13. Install A/C drive belt and adjust belt tension.
14. Install splash guard.
15. Install fan and fan shroud.
16. Install 4 fan bolts. Tighten to 24 ft lb (33 Nm).
17. Install fan shroud mounting bolts.
18. Install fresh air duct.
19. Connect hose to resonance chamber.
20. Connect battery negative cable.

Hi there,

Below are the steps..

Disconnect the negative battery cable. Remove the two fresh air duct mounting bolts on the radiator. Loosen the fresh air duct clamp at the intake housing. Remove the hose at the resonance chamber. Remove the frech air duct. Remove the five cooling fan shroud bolts. Remove the four thermo-modulated fan nuts. Remove the four thermo-modulated fan cooling fan shroud at the same time. Loosen the two generator mounting bolts(A and B). Loosen the generator drive belt from the generator by loosening the adjusting bolt(C). Remove the generator drive belt. Remove the fan pulley. Remove the four splash guard mounting bolts and splash guard. Loosen the A/C idler puller nut(A). Remove the A/C drive belt by loosening the adjusting bolt. Loosen the power steering pump lock bolt and mounting bolt. Remove the power steering belt. Remove five bolts and the upper timing belt cover. Refer to Timing Belt. Remove two bolts and the lower timing cover. Refer to Timing Belt. Loosen the tensioner lock bolt and pivot the tensionder pulley outward to remove the tension from the timing belt, then re-tighten the tensioner lock bolt. NOTE: Tightening Torque : 27-38ft·lbs(37-52N·m) Mark the timing belt rotation for proper reinstallation if it reused. Remove the timing belt. Be careful not to allow oil grease on the belt. Regards, Jeep Brainy

U shouldnt need too remove the fan to replace the belt. all u need too do is work the belt around the fan blades.

WATER PUMP
The water pump is bolted directly to the engine timing chain case/cover.

A gasket is used as a seal between the water pump and timing chain case/cover.

If water pump is replaced because of bearing/shaft damage, or leaking shaft seal, the mechanical cooling fan assembly should also be inspected. Inspect for fatigue cracks, loose blades, or loose rivets that could have resulted from excessive vibration. Replace fan if any of these conditions are found. Also check condition of the thermal viscous fan drive. Refer to Viscous Fan Drive in this group.

The water pump can be removed without discharging the air conditioning system (if equipped)

REMOVAL
Disconnect negative battery cable from battery.
Drain cooling system. Refer to Draining Cooling System in this group.
Do not waste reusable coolant. If solution is clean, drain coolant into a clean container for reuse.

The thermal viscous fan drive is attached (threaded) to the water pump hub shaft. Remove fan/viscous fan drive assembly from water pump by turning mounting nut counterclockwise as viewed from front. Threads on viscous fan drive are RIGHT HAND. Using special tool spanner wrench 6958 with adapter pins 8346 and a suitable fan wrench loosen the fan drive Viscous Fan and Fan Drive Do not attempt to remove fan/viscous fan drive assembly from vehicle at this time.
WARNING: CONSTANT TENSION HOSE CLAMPS ARE USED ON MOST COOLING SYSTEM HOSES. WHEN REMOVING OR INSTALLING, USE ONLY TOOLS DESIGNED FOR SERVICING THIS TYPE OF CLAMP, SUCH AS SPECIAL CLAMP TOOL (NUMBER 6094) SNAP-ON CLAMP TOOL (NUMBER HPC-20) MAY BE USED FOR LARGER CLAMPS. ALWAYS WEAR SAFETY GLASSES WHEN SERVICING CONSTANT TENSION CLAMPS.

CAUTION: A number or letter is stamped into the tongue of constant tension clamps. If replacement is necessary, use only an original equipment clamp with matching number or letter.

If water pump is being replaced, do not unbolt fan blade assembly from thermal viscous fan drive.
Remove two fan shroud-to-radiator nuts Fan Shroud Mounting Hardware Do not attempt to remove fan shroud at this time.
Remove fan shroud and fan blade/viscous fan drive assembly from vehicle as a complete unit.
After removing fan blade/viscous fan drive assembly, do not place thermal viscous fan drive in horizontal position. If stored horizontally, silicone fluid in viscous fan drive could drain into its bearing assembly and contaminate lubricant.
Remove accessory drive belt as follows: The drive belt is equipped with a spring loaded automatic belt tensioner. Relax tension from belt by rotating tensioner clockwise (as viewed from front) Automatic Belt Tensioner - When all belt tension has been relaxed, remove accessory drive belt.
Remove lower radiator hose clamp and remove lower hose at water pump.
Remove seven water pump mounting bolts and one stud bolt
CAUTION: Do not pry water pump at timing chain case/cover. The machined surfaces may be damaged resulting in leaks.

Remove water pump and gasket. Discard gasket.
INSTALLATION
Clean gasket mating surfaces.
Using a new gasket, position water pump and install mounting bolts as shown. Water Pump Installation - Tighten water pump mounting bolts to 54 N·m (40 ft. lbs.) torque.
Spin water pump to be sure that pump impeller does not rub against timing chain case/cover.
Connect radiator lower hose to water pump.
Relax tension from belt tensioner Automatic Belt Tensioner - Install drive belt
CAUTION: When installing the serpentine accessory drive belt, belt must be routed correctly. If not, engine may overheat due to water pump rotating in wrong direction. Refer to Belt Routing for correct belt routing. Or, refer to the Belt Routing Label located in the engine compartment. The correct belt with correct length must be used.

Position fan shroud and fan blade/viscous fan drive assembly to vehicle as a complete unit.
Be sure the upper and lower portions of the fan shroud are firmly connected. All air must flow through the radiator.
Install two fan shroud-to-radiator nuts Fan Shroud Mounting Hardware
Be sure of at least 25 mm (1.0 inches) between tips of fan blades and fan shroud.
Install fan blade/viscous fan drive assembly to water pump shaft.
Fill cooling system. Refer to Refilling the Cooling System in this group.
Connect negative battery cable.
Start and warm the engine. Check for leaks

Remove the fan shroud cover and draw the fan belts route, loosen the aircon tensioner bolts x 3 on the left side of the cover and remove the aircon belt.With a 15 mm socket on a power wrench pull the auto tensioner to the rightand remove the belt , with a little skill and patience you can get the old belt off and the new one on over the fan blades without removing the fan.Make sure the belt is on properly to prevent it coming off when starting.