Just How Worried Should I Be: Fan edition!

[Wolfie_85]

Ok, I know there's threads on this, but here goes: I noticed I have some cracks on my fan (just the hub, none have gone to the blades). I have a road trip coming up of a few hundred miles. I know the cracking is common, but just how worrysome is it? I am thinking about replacing it soon, but "when" is the question! It doesn't seem hard to do, but might have the shop do it, anyway for time's sake.

 

[natenkiki2004]

From what I've read, new plastic ones will crack rather quickly. It matters more where the cracks are and how large they are. I've had cracks in mine since I got it (2,000 miles ago) and who knows how long they were existing before. I think it's something to think about for preventative maintenance down the road but I doubt it will affect your trip.

 

[RangerX]

There's a thread here somewhere from about 12 or more years ago. It was a panic thread warning us all about cracked fans and their imminent destruction. I checked my fan and sure enough, it had the cracks.
Today, it still has the same cracks on the same fan. I'm over 300,000 miles and I'm still not worried.

 

[Wolfie_85]

That's what I was thinking. God knows how long mine has been cracked! I've had it for a month, it was dad's. But I noticed it and thought, "well that does happen on these." So I thought to ask. Thanks!

 

[Anime]

The old Ford fans do just get cracks around the hub, presumably from the expansion/contaction of the metal center piece since it is constantly heated when the engine is running and cooling when it's off.

It's not too big a deal until the smaller cracks from the hub start going to the blades, or completely through the hub from one side to the other, because then it's just a matter of time until the crack is complete, and the rotating force of the fan slings a blade or two off.

The Dorman replacements aren't made of good plastic either, and will crack. They seem to do ok on some vehicles, so it may just be a matter of climate, and even cheap fans will work for awhile in cool/mild climates.

Ford did make a revised 10-blade version of the fan that is the replacement for both the original 9-blade and 10-blade for the first gens, that is made from stronger plastic like newer fans, and has a better plastic/metal bond. Other members have also used the fans from newer Explorers, such as the 11-blade model, for improved cooling.

You'll have to use your best judgement as to whether the cracks look bad enough to warrant replacement, or if they don't seem to have enlarged over time and don't seem to pose much risk of the fan falling apart.

 

[Wolfie_85]

Well, I will be replacing it at some point. I just have to have the time. it seems like an easy, albeit time consuming job. I'll do the belt too. Clutch seems ok yet, as it spins nice and easy.

 

[Roadrunner777]

I remember doing this, and finding the 10 blade fan to be very expensive (it is $55 at rockauto right now). Here's a tip: Buy Depo 330-55034-400 Blade from Amazon for $21 and free shipping if you can find another $14 worth of stuff you want. (The fan clutch wrench set for this is also available. I bought both from Amazon and have run it for 3 years of sub-zero winters (but only 90+ degree summers, thankfully!). No problems at all. And, free shipping if you buy both.

 

[larrydd999]

I also noticed cracks and purchased a new fan from the auction site. Guess what - it had cracks too, and it was brand new! The cracks are small and for the price I didn't want to go to the hassle of sending it back (the shipping cost would have been half of my purchase price), but next time I'll probably purchase it locally so I can be sure it's 100%.