How to Replace the Fan in a Subaru Outback

Your Subaru Outback has an electrically operated engine cooling fan. A novice can follow these steps to replace the engine fan within an hour. You'll need a wrench, a screwdriver and a means of safely supporting the vehicle so that you can work underneath it.

Instructions

1

Disconnect the negative battery cable on your Subaru Outback and isolate it from the battery terminal with non-conductive material like a clean dry rag or work glove.

2

Raise your vehicle and safely support it. This means using jack stands, ramps or a professional vehicle lift; a jack is not sufficient support for working underneath a vehicle.

3

Unbolt and remove the engine undercover and disconnect the engine fan's electrical connector. If you have an automatic transmission, you'll also need to remove the transmission cooler hose from the radiator fan motor assembly's clip.

4

Remove the drive belt covers and disconnect the coolant overflow hose, then remove the coolant overflow reservoir.

5

Loosen and remove the two mounting bolts that fasten the upper fan shroud in place, then remove the entire fan assembly and replace with the new part. Tighten the mounting bolts to 6 foot pounds (7.5Nm) of torque.

6

Replace the overflow reservoir and reconnect the overflow hose, then replace the accessory drive belt covers.

7

Reinstall the transmission cooler hose if it was removed, reconnect the fan's electrical connector, replace the engine undercover and lower the vehicle. You can now reconnect the negative battery cable.