I don't have the part number for the clips. If you don't attach them, the shroud can lift up. They are obviously there for a reason.

I guess a brittle fan could break, but seems like it would need to hit something to break up.

 

It's your rover, take all the chances you want. But if something happens do you want those missing clips to be in the back of your mind?

 

I think if anything it has more to do with the design of the part and the aging up materials over time like RoverMasterTech suggested. A new clutch on an old fan could very well cause problems.

Even if the cowl did dip down and hit the fan I don't see it completely chewing it up and exploding. That said Ill probably grab some clips and put them in eventually. But my cowl sits firm as it is.

Just my opinion.

 

Have been meaning to start a thread about my 2002 Discovery and will soon but this thread made me comment.
I found my 2002 Discovery with some front end damage at an insurance auction with only 25,000 miles, interior still looks and smells new.
Because of the front end damage I replaced the radiator, fan and clutch and the shroud so everything on mine was brand new.
I took it on it's maiden voyage 2 weeks ago to visit my son in Colorado, as we were accelerating to get back on I70 in Idaho Springs, Colorado after a gas stop the fan exploded, just as yours did.
Even stranger is the fact that the same has happened on my son's 2001 BMW 323, in fact when I was putting my Discovery back together I considered an electric fan conversion because the Discovery fan looked very similar to the BMW fan but I convinced myself that since all the parts were brand new it should be fine!
Since the Discovery was broken down in a small town in Colorado parts, even in Denver, could not be found without waiting over a week to order them and new factory parts were expensive!
Because of this I talked the mechanic into doing an electric fan conversion, I checked around Denver and the largest fan I could find in stock anywhere was a Flex-a-lite Black Magic and it was on sale at NAPA for $220 with controller.
Got the fan installed and couldn't be happier, much cheaper than going back stock and keeps the engine cooler and at a more constant temperature, in the mountains in Colorado to the 100º heat in Texas it has so far performed flawlessly, even stuck in traffic today for an hour at 96º the gauge didn't budge.
As for mileage I don't know if it has made much difference, I have put only 3,000 miles on the car so far but just from the one trip it seems to have made about a 1 mpg improvement but there could be many varying factors.
Just an option for those concerned about the stock fan or the price of factory parts!
Rusty

 

Im sure that electric fans are a great option... But the above remark needs to be analyzed.

My buddies 03' seemed to be running hot, so I hooked up an ultragauge. The dash temp gauge did not budge until the ultra gauge showed 236. I would never trust the dash. If you want to know if your fans are doing the proper job, you need an ultra gauge or the like.

 

Good point, I have a scan gauge in my Land Cruiser I plan to put in the Discovery but the mechanic in Colorado let it idle for about 45 minutes with his gauge hooked up and he said it never went above 195º (I think that is the temp he stated)
The fan can be set to kick on and off at different temperatures, anyway, it is a great option, wish I had done it in the first place
Rusty

 

I second what abran said, but I'd also love a picture or two of your conversion and if you would follow up with some actual temp readings that would be great. The cheapest way is to just buy a Bluetooth OBDII reader from Amazon and use Torque on an android phone. I've done that, works great. Second cheapest is to Install an aftermarket temp gauge. I currently have a sunpro electric unit that works perfectly. Third option and the most common is to buy an Ultra gauge. I've never used one, but I've heard great things and I'd absolutely recommend one if you dont have a spare android phone laying around to mount to your dash as I did. Torque is great, gives all the engine readings and reads codes like the Ultra gauge.

Really any if the three options are great, but the stock gauge sucks and can't be trusted. It's proven itself to be a backstabbing enemy parading itself around as though it's there to help you.

 

I do have a scan gauge II in my FZJ80 that I plan to hook up in the Discovery soon, I guess my point is that the electric fan seems to keep the engine as cool if not cooler than the stock set up by just going by the factory temperature gauge which is all most people go by.
I agree most stock gauges are pretty inaccurate but according to it the electric fan seems to work better, with my limited experience with this car my gauge would move just a bit when sitting in traffic with the stock fan/clutch set-up, now it doesn't budge.
Will be interesting to see what the scan gauge says though and I will post it as soon as I hook it up.
Rusty

 

In regards to the gauge here is my personal experience. I ordered the scan gauge the same day I bought my Discovery. My Disco would get into the 220-225 range at idle in say a drive-through but the gauge would stay in the middle. I think everyone would agree that pushing it. I ended up having a full clog in the coolant system one day and the car shot to 230-240 range from what I remember and that finally made the gauge go up. From what I have heard the temp gauge has 3 settings. "Cool" being the needle at bottom of gauge, once it get to 150 or so it climbs to the Middle (just climbs slowly). It will stay in the middle or operating temp until you get to the 220-230 range then it will climb to the top. To be honest I have had gauges in my last few cars and it just gives you a good sense of mind if nothing else. I like knowing that while driving 190 is normal and on a hot day mine might climb to 204 at idle. Thats my normal but let say one day I see 210-215, I know that abnormal for my car and might check into a little more where the standard gauge would never let me know. Just my .02.

Also I went ahead and ordered a new clutch and new fan. I was going to just pick up a used fan since my clutch is only a year old and very possible the fan just came apart. Figure it was best just to keep both new. Luckily was able to pick up most the plastic pieces under their used but got a new radiator, clutch and fan, hoses, and thermostat. Looks like I am out around 500 or so which isnt to bad.

 

An ultraguage is vital for Disco ownership. It allows you peace of mind and gives you reasonable warning an overheat issue. These engines are way too susceptible to heat to no have an accurate gauge.

New clutch and fan sounds like the way to go. I got a used 99 fan to eventually go on my truck but after reading RoverMasterTech's advice I'm gonna buy a new one.

Don't want to chance a fan explosion.