Well, in 40 years of driving, I've never had a radiator fan come apart on me. Thatis until yesterday.....Cruising down the freeway at about 60 mph, around 1800 RPM, heard a sound like something hitting hard plastic under the hood, followed by a couple more hit and then vibration. Not too bad, but somewhat noticable. Scanned all the guages and mirrors, no fluids leaking and everything normal as far as oil pressure, coolant temp, etc. Got off the next exit and into a parking lot, found 1 blade almost completely gone and some pirces out of several others. Had one pice looking like it was about to come off, wiggled it and it snapped right off, no problem. The palstic fan was brittle as can be and coming apart. Bought a new Motorcraft one today, I'll be installing it after work. I don't have access at home to an air chisel. I do have a chain wrench and a 1 7/8" fan clutch wrench. Any tricks I need to know?

As a side note, Flex a Lite sells an aluminum lightweight fan that is supposed to be a replacement for this truck. Don't buy it, it is way too small. It is an 18" 6 blade fan, not clutch driven and needs about a 3 inch spacer to get out into the shroud. Then there is about 6 inches between the ends of the blades and the shroud. I have seen the fan and have heard stories about what happens with this fan. Maybe OK with a standard, but if you have an automatic tranny and AC, the Flex a lite is nowhere near adaquate.

 

Sheesh !! You were lucky man. Could have torn up the radiator, belt, hoses..... who knows. Thanks for the info !

 

I had a Ford Explorer with a fan that showed many small cracks, and replaced it early to avoid a meltdown like yours - plastic fans should be inspected closely on older trucks.

 

Here's what i used to remove my fan when i replaced my water pump. Bought the fan wrench at advance auto and welded the two wrenches togeather.

 

Got any photos of the "remains"?

Pop

 

Hawk, where are you located? Maybe another member would be willing to help you out, I know I would!

 

A "how to" with video or pics would be nice since I've never done one.

 

Well I got it done, Used the chisel and air hammer method of removing the clutch. Works wonderfully. replaced the fan, belt coolant temp sensor, cleaned the EBP sensor and line. Found out the square hole on the belt tensioner for the breaker bar was broken out, so I replaced that as well. My son asked me how I was going to get the belt off since I could not get a bar into the tensioner. So I whipped out my handy dandy universal belt remover. Otherwise known as a pocket knife. I had already bought a new Gates heavy duty belt so no problem there. got a bit of crud out of the EBP sensor and the tube. After I got everything back together, it seems to have more power and run smoother, so I guess the EBP system is somewhat important. I replaced the coolant sensor because it was showing on Auto Enginuity's computer scan as being at 345 degress at first startup. But that was strange to me as the guage still shows normal. Anyway, it was cheap so I replaced it. It amazing how much easier things are to get to when there is no fan or belt on the engine

 

That air chisel can be tough on the water pump bearing. A LOT of psi on very tiny contact surfaces can lead to premature failures.

Perfectly OK if you're taking it apart to replace the pump anyway, but......

Just a thought.

Pop

 

I thought of that, but it is at an angle that is driving the nut to loosen it, not a direct push on the side. I'll keep and eye on it and see if and squeals or leaks develop.

 

I use a 1 7/8" crows foot. Then I use my air hammer (rivet gun for the airplane guys) on the drive flange of the crows foot. Usually just a quick rap and the nut comes loose. I also have the Rotunda tools for the nut and the pulley. The crows foot works much better than the "real" tools. Very little impact on the pump too. I was pretty shocked on how well it worked.

 

Theres alot of good info in here for a new person or new to this job to use but they wouldnt know that by the title "New One". Would you be able to change the title or add to it so it would make searches easier. Just trying to help the next guy out thats all.

 

A little off topic - But keep those old belts - They make great tool & lawn implement holders- I use em in the garage & basement- Nail up a horizontal 2"x4" or whatever( scrap plywood) & use screws or nails every so often -Make a loop in the belt & install a screw. Make different size loops for pipe wrenches or whatever u need to hang.

 

Cooler hinges too