Fan Removal Notes and a Watchout

[Extreme1]

First off, thanks to Chris (DieselB59) and others for the fan removal tips. I hit that sucker with the correct tool (a broken 2001 Arctic Cat Sno-Pro Cross Country sway bar) 6-8 times and it was loose! I might try to return that wrench I bought a year ago for the job since I didn't use it.



Now for my tip: Instead of removing the fan shroud to get the fan out, unbolt the fan from the hub. Four 5/16" bolts that weren't to tight and the parts came out seperated quite nicely.



While you have it out, check the operation of the viscous unit by slipping the tab out of the outer slot. Rotate the bimetalic spring counter clockwise "until it stops" and measure from the tab to the slot. It should be 1/2". Mine is toast (shaft in the center doesn't turn) which would explain why the fan didn't come on on the dyno or on the Needles Hiway pulling that heavy little trailer up the hill. (Had to stop and sight see while things cooled off).



Thanks again!

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Extreme 1, I've always been able to wiggle mine out by only unbolting it from the pulley. I put cardboard between the fan and radiator to protect blades from damaging the fins.



Regarding a "word of caution," I am about ready to reinstall my fan. I keep running into situations where my engine has gotten a little too warm for me. Not long ago it was nearly 70F here and it started getting hot running around town (about 205F). Last Saturday I drove up a steep hill in 3rd-4th gear that lasted about 4 miles and the engine temp climbed to 200-205F again (ambient temp was upper 40s). Eventually I plan to install electric fans but I'm going to reinstall the stocker and not run fanless anymore. If I lived in a cold state like ND or Minnesota then I think it's a great idea, but here in January the coldest high temps bottom out at only 40F.



Vaughn

 

[illflem]

I'll second what Vaughn said, there is no reason to remove or take apart anything to remove the fan. Just bring the center of the hub up just to the left of the oil fill spout on a 12 valve or to the far right on a 24, it comes right out.

 

[The patriot]

I've gotten mine out by unbolting the fan shroud, and moving it towards the engine. You also have to remove the radiator overflow, and maybe (?) the windshield pisser.

I then slid the fan and viscous unit between the shroud and radiator on the passenger side.

It fits real tight, and you gotta have the fanbaldes in just the right way, but it will go through... . at least on mine.

Eric

 

[jsimpson]

I took mine out for good and replaced it with twin side-by-side 14" PermaCools from Summit, about $95 each. Never looked back.

 

[GAmes]

After loosening the nut and spinning the fan off it easily slid out the bottom without removing the shroud or anything else. Mine is a 2wd, I'm sure that makes a difference.

 

[Extreme1]

I tried for about 10 minutes to slip out. The improved trans cooler lines were in the way on the bottom and there isn't enough room to get out the top no matter how you turn it. Removing the bolts took about 4-5 minutes. MUCH easier than trying to wrestle the shroud out IMO.

 

[GAmes]

OOPS, forgot about automatics too. It works on 5-speed 2wd, I'll quit while I'm ahead.

 

[GAmes]

Extreme1, where did you get the 1/2 inch dimension for the viscous spring? Mine rotates counter clockwise 2 inches till it stops, but passes the service manual test.

 

[CumminsAholic]

There's probably a really good answer for this... something I'm overlooking and will feel dumb for asking, but... Why take the hub off? Can't you just unbolt the fan from it like Extreme1 did? Of will it ruin the hub since there isn't anything to slow it down? It seems like that'd be a lot easier and that hub can't rob 1 hp. Just a thought, now tell me why ya can't do it.

Corey