Radiator Fan

Hello all,

BACKGROUND

Had a problem yesterday with our Octavia Estate (1.9 TDi Classic) where a burning smell was coming from the engine area. On investigation, it looked like a small amount of white smoke was coming from around the main radiator fan motor.

Have taken the car to a local Garage (Ex. Skoda Specialists) who ran diagnostics and informed that the fan and relay need replacing. I have ordered the fan from Skoda which should arrive on Friday AM.

THE QUERY

I should be driving from Great Yarmouth to Cornwall on Friday evening (About 444 miles or 7.5 - 8.5 hours) and both local main dealer and ex specialists cannot do the work until next week. However, a local mechanic is free and I want some advice on what will need doing to try and offer assistance to him.

I understand from Skoda's spares department that the relay is part of the fan unit (this seems likely as, when the mechanic and I were diagnosing the fault, moving the main fan by hand backwards and forwards caused an audiable "click" and turned the auxilliary fan on and off).

MY QUESTIONS

1. What will we need to get the fan off and replaced?
   
2. Can the fan unit alone be removed or do other parts like the radiator have to come off also?
   
3. Will the car need "resetting" by a computer after the work is complete?
   

Any advice really appreciated - be kind, it's my first post!

Regards

Ben Avery