Fan is not lookin too good

[rock883]

Well, I went out to my explorer(1991) today to look at which sending unit is the right one for my temperature guage, and well, I seem to have found a big problem. On my fan, there is a crack in between every fan blade. I know this is a problem that most of you have had. Should I just go to the Ford dealership to get a new one, or can I get one somewhere else for cheaper than the dealer?? What is it going to cost me? Also, how do you change the fan?? Glad I found this now instead of hearing fan blades being thrown all around the engine compartment...Thanks a lot for any help

[This message has been edited by rock883 (edited 03-29-2000).]

 

[S.Matsushige]

Rock-You might want to check out www.carparts.com. I know they have the fan clutch so they must have a replacement fan as well. I replaced the one on my '91XLT a while back and got mine from the dealer. I can't be sure what I paid for it, so I apologize that I can't give you that info. But try contacting carparts and see if they do have one. If they do you can also use the 33% off coupon 4a003 which will save you some bucks. I sure they'll be cheaper than the dealer which ever way you cut it.

 

[DBExplorin]

I had heard about people having problems with the fans, so I checked mine on my '94 XLT and found cracks, so I replaced it with one from the dealer. However I was not fortunate enough to catch it in time, a part of the fan already flew off and damaged the radiator. So I had to take out the radiator . I don't remember how much but it wasn't cheap .
You will need a special tool to remove the fan which is available at the dealer. Remove the plastic intake running over the top of the fan. I chose to make it easier on myself by removing the belt, and the fan shroud so that I could get to the fan/clutch easier. Using the tool (2 parts) one goes around the bolts on the pulley, the other on the post on the clutch. After removing the fan, you must separate the fan from the clutch by removing the four bolts that secure the two together. Reassembling is the reverse, but beware not to overtighten the bolts that hold the fan to the clutch, I did and stripped them out and had to buy a new one. Don't wait to change it

DAN
94 XLT

 

[rock883]

Well, I went out to the ford dealer and I got a new fan for $38, not too bad considering that its from the dealership. But do I need to have that special tool or can it be done with just regular hand tools?? Or instead of handtoold, would it be a whole lot easier to do with the special tool. Thanks for the help.

 

[SteveVB]

You need the tool, you can buy it for $15 or 20 at places like PEP Boys, Auto Zone etc. or some of the parts houses will rent it to you for $5 some even 0. but it is worth it to make the trip to get the tool.



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Steve VB
91 Navajo
2 1/2" Rancho,
31" Goodyear AT/S

 

[roadkill]

FYI rock833:
I found the fan to be the cheapest, and of course the original equip., from the ford dealer for about $38.

Steps I took:
- remove intake tube
- remove the fan shroud
- remove fan belt
- hold pulley still with a leather belt and vice grips (some use the old fan belt to secure the fan like a large oil filter tool), and remove the 4 bolts that hold the fan/clutch assy to the water pump
- pull fan/clutch out
- remove 4 screws and replace fan

installation is reverse

The tricky part is holding the pulley still, so a special tool for this might save time.

Lotsa luck!


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"Don't go where the road don't go." -Ringo Starr

Wil - '92 EB

 

[rock883]

Thanks for the help Steve and Wil. I have a question about holding up the pulley. What do you mean that you have to hold the poulley still? Do you mean like when trying to take out the bolts holding the fan on there?? Also, do I not have to take out that big nut in the middle of the fan? Or do I just take off those four bolts? Thanks a again.

 

[Brian1]

I too need to replace my fan. Has anyone replaced their fan with a metal one from Auto Zone or other parts places? Would these fans be better than the Ford plastic fan? Thanks.


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Brian
91 XLT 4x4