Fan Blade Explosion
 

Hello all, new member here. I own a 98 Dico I - have for about 5 months. She has treated me well and has only required typical maintenance. As a background, I have an assoc. degree in automotive technology and have worked in the industry for a few years. No longer do but I do have a good technical knowledge and look forward to offering help. Anyway, what happended the other night put me in shock. I was getting on the highway on the on-ramp when I shifted down to a lower gear to accelerate. All of a sudden I heard what sounded like parts of something falling apart and shooting out under and infront of my line of sight. For a moment I thought I hit something but knew I didn't. Once I reached my destination, popped the hood and noticed that every single fan blade had disconected from the base and essentially exploded. It completly destroyed the fan shroud and put about a penny size hole in the radiator. I was blown away. The only thing I can think of is that maybe the fan clutch seized up. Clearance with the shroud to the fan blade was never a problem. Has this ever happended or anyone heard of this happening? Now I'm severly concerned as the engine temperature did get warmer then normal- in the 3/4 range of the gauge (not in the red- I made sure of that). However, it seems the engine has a misfire about it now and am beginning to wonder if the heads are warped and have lost compression in one or more cylinders. I am just flabargasted as to how/why this happended. There was no sign of a cat or something that crawled in there or any other indication of such an obstruction. Now I am facing over $400 in parts and fear of having to pull the heads. Unfortunatley I don't have a compression gauge... Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks

RE: Fan Blade Explosion
 

There have been numerous cases of the plastic fan coming apart and causing the damage you describe. In some cases, pieces have even damaged the hood, but it sounds like in your case the fan shroud contained the pieces. The temp increase before failure may have been due to the viscous clutch losing engagement and not pulling air through the radiator. It has always been recommended that the fan be inspected for radial cracks starting from the hub area---when changing the serpentine belt or inspecting the water pump. It seems that this same problem affects a number of British vehicles. Anyway--- the increased vibration levels before failure may have damaged the water pump, so check the shaft/flange for radial play and look for any coolant stains coming from the weep hole in bottom of the snout casting that will be the tell-tale sign of failure. Your misfire could simply be from a damaged cam position sensor that took a hit from the fragments. Locate it on your front timing cover and inspect it for impact damage. I doubt you all of a sudden have blown head gaskets UNLESS you drove it without coolant in the engine (from the radiator leak) for a distance after the explosion.

I can supply you the right pieces to get you going again. But remember to also check the serpentine belt tensioner, idler pulley, and of course the belt itself for any damage.

Hope this helps,

Mike McLaughlin

www.eurotekapg.com

RE: Fan Blade Explosion-- more info
 

98roverguy,

It just so happens that we just received a Range Rover off the tow truck this afternoon with the same end result as your unfortunate fiasco. In his case, the water pump bearings had failed to the point that the whole shaft/impeller was free to pound out the snout casting, the impeller chewed through the timing cover, and the fan exploded when it came in contact with the shroud. So again--- inspect that water pump carefully.

Regards,

Mike McLaughlin

www.eurotekapg.com

RE: Fan Blade Explosion-- more info
 

Mike, thanks so much for your help and advice. I will keep the thread updated as I learn more. Thanks again!!

RE: Fan Blade Explosion-- more info
 

Since the problem occured, have you had a check engine light on? How many miles on your truck?
If you have any concern about your heads, just go to a radiator shop and sk them to do a chemical head gasket test, no big deal, cheap and very accurate.
Also, have you had to add coolant, do you have any milkey build up inside your oil fill cap?
I know of no way your fan failure would cause the head gaskets to fail.
How old are your plugs and wires?
Mike

RE: Fan Blade Explosion-- more info
 

The check engine light has not come on since the incident. I havnt done the repairs yet (waiting on parts) and plan to do so this weekend. I intend to essentially overhaul the coolant system. Fan, fan clutch, radiator, fan shroud, water pump, thermostat, all hoses. In addition I'm gonna do the plugs and wires since the wires appear to look old (tiny surface cracks). There's no milkyness in the oil that would suggest a coolant leak. I'll dive into it this weekend. Anyone have any suggestions for some good plugs to use? It's hard to decide with all that are out there. Thanks again guys and I'll keep you posted.

RE: Fan Blade Explosion-- more info
 

So what plug wires are you going to use?? Did I hear you say Magnacor??? And Bosh platium Plus 4 plugs??? Thought so.
A good scourse for the 8mm wires is Rover Connection on the web.
Do you have the wrench that is necessary to loosen up the fan hub?
Remember 2 gallons of coolant and bleed all the air out of the engine.
Take care,
Mike

RE: Fan Blade Explosion-- more info
 

All is done and runs well. Whats the best way to bleed it? Is there a valve anywhere? thx