Any recomendations on new cooling fan, my 92 explorer 4.0 fan has numerous cracks in it??
Thanks

My 90 4.0 Ranger 4x4, 91 5.0 Mustang and 92 4.0 Explorer 4x4 also developed those cracks. I replaced each as needed with parts from Ford.
So far the cracks have not reappeared. Aftermarket wise, there's a kit to replace the fan on the Mustang with an electric kit, but I haven't seen one forthe Explorer/Ranger users. The fan from Ford was $48.00 ea.

Krokus

Cracks in Explorer fans is a very common
problem, so common that my local dealer stocks them like they stock other commonly replaced parts. You do need to replace it though because if it shatters I can guarantee
that you will be sorry.

Barry
91 Explorer Sport on its 3rd cooling fan after 155,000 miles.

My cooling fan has cracks in it to. I thought i remembered seeing aftermarket fans in Summit Racing. Can anyone back up my memory.

Thanks fellas

Do you mean the electric fans or replacement ones? I've been looking for an electric fan that would fit, anybody know where to find one?

I know flex-a-lite makes an electric fan for the explorer. it is the same basic model as used for the mustang, just a little different mounting procedure. i believe it is like $189 dollars from JEGS, but not 100% sure. Flex-a-lite's part number is 175, for the kit. Hope this helps.

Terry L. Knotts



[This message has been edited by Scrambler (edited 06-29-1999).]

I am talking about just replacement fans. How much hp could you gain by going to electric??

I just ordered the Flex-a-lite electric fan from Jegs. I'm hoping to free up a few horse power, but most importantly I'm hoping to increase the airflow through the radiator and A/C condenser at low, rock crawling speeds.

Since this fan is designed to handle the output of a V-8 Mustang I think it will do a great job with the V-6 Explorer.

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Rick Horwitz
explorer@4x4central.com
Editor
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I'm interested in ordering a fan...what is JEGS?? I have a 91 EB will mine take the same as yours Rick??

I'm also very interested in this fan, could you tell me how it works out? I assume it's temperature opperated, was it hard to pu the fan switch in, or could you hook it up to an existing sensor? And is it set to were it's always on if your A/C is on? Thanks!

Jeg's can be found at http://www.jegs.com

I'll let you know how the install goes next week after I get a hold of the fan. I can tell you that the kit comes with a thermostatically controlled switch and an A/C relay. How it all works together is yet to be seen.

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Rick Horwitz
explorer@4x4central.com
Editor
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I had a replacement electric fan on my Explorer. I can't believe how quiet the engine was (No more roaring sound) and the extra giddy up go (excuse me, it's late).

Then...I was 4wheelin when my buddy in his full size Bronco kept getting stuck in the deep snow. The poor little (16 inch) fan could not keep up with my persistance in pulling out the full size. I ended up running the heater full boar with the windows down and about 35F temperature.

The Explorer never gets hot 4wheelin. But in the extreme case I did not want to deal with an overheated motor.

So for now I have the clutch fan put back in and the electric fan mounted on the front of the radiator support for additional cooling. The adjustable thermostat is set higher so the fan doesnt kick in as much.

My Explorer has a single core radiator. I figure when I upgrade the radiator I will get another electric fan to replace the clutch fan.

Rick-Be sure and let us know how the electric fan works in the +100F days, with the AC on, in stop and go traffic...that is my goal...

David Meisner

Ray, who's fan did you go with? Was it a Flex-a-lite 175 series? I sure hope not. I talked to those guys and told them what my situation is, 100+ days in Phoenix, slow speed rock crawling with A/C on etc. They said it would work great, but then again they're trying to sell their products.

I will definately review the product and let everyone know how it works out.

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Rick Horwitz
explorer@4x4central.com
Editor
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The fan that I bought was an el cheapo ($75) from Autozone. That was half of my problem and why I am going to leave it as a secondary behind the grill. Besides, it looks pretty trick that way.

I think it was a Crown? The motor hub got really hot so I kept the box to return if it didn't work out and eventually I just swallowed it. http://www.4x4central.com/ubb/smile.gif

I would try to get a fan that was about 18 inches so it covers most of the radiator. You may also experiment with leaving the fan shroud on to help suck the air through the radiator.

I did however like the room without the fan and shroud. It looked cool with the serpentine belt just spinning.

David Meisner

PS-Once you go with the electric, you will hear sounds you never heard before from the engine/acc's.

The Flex-a-lite comes with it's own shroud and a rubber seal that seals it up against the radiator.

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Rick Horwitz
explorer@4x4central.com
Editor
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Rick, what was the part number on the fan you bought? Was it the 400-M40? Just trying to figure out which one you got, because i'm very intersted in one. What did you pay for it?

400-M175, $193.99

15" diameter blade.
Measures 18"x16"x4-1/4" deep.
Pulls 2800 cfm of air.
Draws 13.9 amps @ 2200 rpm fan speed.
Lightweight one-piece plastic shroud mounts as a "puller" behind the radiator
with a full contact rubber seal. This rigid bracket mounting system means no
through-core mounting required.
Great cooling for 4 x 4's and higher HP applications.
Restores horsepower by replacing stock fan, extends water pump life &
increases gas mileage.

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Rick Horwitz
explorer@4x4central.com
Editor
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I just installed my Flex-a-lite 175 electric fan kit.

It fits perfect. Even though the box says 5.0L Mustang it fits the 4.0L Explorer radiator perfectly.

The hardest part is removing the fan and clutch. I opted to have a garage which is only a block away remove the clutch for me. I drove it home with no fan at all. No problem with the heat in that short of a distance.

Once I got it home I removed the stock fan shroud. Then I installed the electric fan using their instructions. They were very clear and easy to follow. First attach a couple clips to the top of the new fan assembly, hook it to the top of the radiator, (it helps to have someone hold it in place). Next attach the clips to the bottom of the assembly using the spacers which are included. Tighten the bottom clips, then come back to the top and tighten those clips. The top clips will bend slightly to form a tight fit.

Next is the wiring. I wired mine so it will come on even with the engine off. This helps dissipate engine heat after the engine is turned off. I also used the built in A/C relay which causes the fan to run whenever the A/C clutch is engaged. This ensures good airflow across the condensor. You need to splice into the positive side of the A/C clutch connector. On my '93 it was the top wire of the pair.

I have yet to test it during the day. I ran it at night with the outdoor temp still above 95 degrees and I kept the A/C on max. I drove it through traffic, let it idle for a long time and so far so good.

Tomorrow will be the big test. Close to 110 in Phoenix and I plan on trying it offroad to see how it does with the A/C on and crawling slow on the trail.

Stay tuned...tomorrow night I'll let you know how it did.

Have a great 4th of July weekend!

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Rick Horwitz
explorer@4x4central.com
Editor
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Well, it was 105+ today and I have to be honest the fan sucks. And I don't mean air either.

I will contact Flex-a-lite on Tuesday to see if they can offer any suggestions besides returning it.

Problems:

1. While traveling at freeway speeds with the A/C on the electric fan is constantly working and it actually restricts airflow. Engine temperatures were soaring on the freeway, the faster I drove (up to 75) the worse it got.

2. Stop and go temps were jsut slightly higher than with the stock fan.

3. I tried it offroad for a while. I climbed a hill in low range with the A/C on and by the time I got to the top it was close to over heating.

In my opinion this fan is worse in all conditions than the stock fan at least when it's 105+ in Phoenix.

What really bothers me is that I told these guys the EXACT conditions I would be using the fan under.

I can't believe the fan would work any better in a 5.0 Mustang which makes way more HP than our Explorers.

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Rick Horwitz
explorer@4x4central.com
Editor
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Rick,

I think the way to go with electric fans is to use one from a car that came from the factory with one. I have never seen an aftermarket electric that could keep up with an OEM fan. You might want to go digging through the junk yard with your tape measure and find one that will fit.

I used to have a '76 Saab 99 2.0L, the electric fan that came on this car pulled an unbelievable amount of air. One day I will track down one of these fans and install it.

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Paul Gagnon
"No Brain, No Pain"
www.geocities.com/baja/canyon/8253 (http://www.geocities.com/baja/canyon/8253)

Rick -
You didn't purchase the "Black Magic Fan" by flex-a-lite right? Also, what engine upgrades have you done to your explorer thus far: MAFS, headers, KKM, etc. I purchased the Black Magic two weeks ago, but had trouble removing the fan clutch so I am in no rush to put mines in - maybe this week if I feel like it. Anyhow, the BM fan is supposed to be good for a V8 producing 250hp and 215hp w/AC working. I just wanted to see how much hp you probably have in comparison with mine just in case.
Thanks

Mike, I'm sorry to say, but yes it was the Black Magic. I'm not making any where near the power it's supposedly rated for. I have a cat back exahust, bored throttle body, and larger MAS. Not enough to make 55hp over the stock Explorer's output that's for sure.

I have the 175 which is the unit Flex-a-lite specs on their appliction chart. It's a direct fit for the 5.0 Mustang and the 4.0 Explorer.

I'm going to call Flex-a-lite Tuesday morning and give them an ear full.

Paul, I have had other vehicles with stock electric fans. No problem. My biggest question though is the deal with overheating on the freeway. How do the factory units cut out while cruising at freeway speeds?

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Rick Horwitz
explorer@4x4central.com
Editor
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Golly, that's not good. I don't have overheating probs (yet). I have found that 40 Below from Problend cools me down about 25 degrees (I use it with a mix of antifreeze and water which dilutes its properties some) and I run a "full range" thermostat. I also run all the other Problend products, which are supposed to and from a recent article in Four Wheeler do cool the engine off by about 40 to 50 degrees. I ran that way in Moab and didn't overheat even with the air conditioner on sometimes.

When Rick and I stopped we would sometimes raise out hoods just to let the hot air rise out.

But in another vehicle, in the summer getting the heat off the engine means I either drill holes in the hood and mount a cowl induction scoop, so it sucks more air at speed, but let's hot air rise out through the hood while rock crawling. Louvers have also been suggested. Also suggested is mounting a small pusher fan under the louvers to speed getting the heat out. The engine bay heats up so much it has boiled the oil out of three coils so far...I remounted the coil higher away from the manifold and put a layer of insulation on the bottom of it. But we still need to get the heat out of the engine compartment or I will eventually boil another one.

That's unfortunate about the electric fan...I wanted the added HP and advertised cooling effects. Bummer.

[This message has been edited by j (edited 07-04-1999).]

Rick,

Just a suggestion to help make your electric fan project more of a success. Try a bottle of Red Line "Water Wetter". It's an additive for your coolant that reduces temperatures up to 30F. I've heard many good reviews of the product by racers and off-roaders. Check out the product at www.redlineoil.com (http://www.redlineoil.com) Should help you reduce coolant temperatures while keeping the benefits of having the electric fan.

I personally use Red Line synthetic fluids in most of my drivetrain and have for a decade of vehicles I've owned.

Adding a chemical to get my engine temp back to where it was before I added a $200.00 fan doesn't sound like a good idea.

I may use it with my stock fan, but the Electric fan is history.

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Rick Horwitz
explorer@4x4central.com
Editor
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Thanks Rick
I was going to call summit racing and order one tomorrow but you have succesfuly changed my mind. I think instead I will go to a junkyard and get a pusher fan off something to aide cooling while towing and retain the stock fan. Besides, the roaring of the fan is one of my favorite mid size Ford quirks that make them unique

I called Flex-a-lite today. They told me to return it to Jegs. He offered no solution just an acknowledgement that the heat in Phoenix overwhelmed the fans ability to cool.

In order to return it to Jegs I had to get his name and extention number, because Jegs will only refund on new unopened merchandise.

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Rick Horwitz
explorer@4x4central.com
Editor
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Rick, that is a real bummer on the electric Flex-A-Lite, and I guess that helps with my fan decision. I was contemplating the electric vrs. the Flex-A-Lite Aluminum serpentine fan offered by Summit Racing. The aluminum serpentine fan will flatten out at high speeds causing less drag for increased HP and less water pump fatigue. Plus the fan won't crack like the stock plastic ones do.
What is the stock fan dimension? They sell various sizes, 18"?

Thanks, and hope this offers some compromise.
Roy

This guy seems to know a lot about engines and stuff. http://www.4x4central.com/ubb/smile.gif He has a part about electric fans towards the bottom. It was posted May 25, 1998 so that you can do a find in your browser. I just thought I should pass this on.
http://www.fordranger.com/totw.html



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Ryan Penner
1992 Explorer Sport

Rick, was the polarity correct? Was the fan running in the right direction?