rad fan blade broken

[jeeppuller]

Yesterday I had a fan blade that cracked and flew off, went through the fan guard, punctured the radiator and stuck in my hood insulation. After inspecting it closely I found a few other blades had small cracks starting, something others may want to check before you too have a hole in your radiator.

I recall some posts of guys running without their fans while not pulling loads in low temps to save fuel. The temps here in East Central Wisconsin have been fairly low. My question is: do you think I can get by a few days without the fan? Anybody do this?

 

[banzaitoyota]

I had a fan crack and break last week, I got the fan from the dealer (62) and the Fanclutch from Autozone(65). New install works fine. John



I did not run without the fan

 

[Greenleaf]

Yep, you can run w/out the fan... . if

You don't run a/c when stalled in traffic.

You don't pull a very heavy load up a very long hill.



Don't worry 'bout it. Have fun. Be happy.



-S

 

[Philip]

My fan has only kick on twice in the 6 years I have owned my truck. Both times I was towing/hauling heavy and going up a big hill down in the MO state.



You could run without one for a while. Like Scott said. A/C would be hurting in low speed driving.

 

[jimk]

fans

That is the reason not to look over a fan when you are rpming the engine. I have read when in the winter the cardboard that is used to help keep up water temps can do that ( cracking, because of the un even loading of the fan blades by a partial covered fan. good luck Jim

 

[jeeppuller]

That is a good point Jim, after closer inspection I found every blade had cracks. I run 2 Lund winter front inserts all year in the bottom 2 grill openings, this may be why my fan cracked.

Until your post I was thinking it was because the fan hub bearing is noisy and possibly the vibration cracked it but I like the your explanation better.

 

[Mel Fuelling]

I use all 4 Lund perforated winter front inserts all year round in my work truck. It really helps keep the bug debris out of the radiator and intercooler. My work truck weighs 9k, then I pull a 5k trailer ocassionally. Even with A/C on in 100 degree heat pulling a trailer, my temp gauge stays at normal temps with the perforated inserts in place. Sometimes I take the fan out in the winter and leave it out without overheating until outdoor temps

reach 60 degrees, then the fan has to go back in.



The only overheating I have experienced with the inserts in and the fan out is when temps exceed 60 degrees or once at 20 degrees driving in freezing rain that froze over the inserts. I pulled over and removed one perforated insert and temps fell back to normal. However, I don't often get stalled in traffic.



I haven't had any fan blade cracks yet.



My $. 02

Mel