Thread: Fan keeps eating radiators

Originally Posted by James NZ

Hiya,

A couple of months ago my son destroyed his radiator whilst doing a river crossing in his TD5. I assumed the water pushed the radiator back towards the fan as the radiator was missing a hold down bolt and a slightly wobbly viscous fan hub probably flex enough. So he bought a new radiator, a genuine radiator fan/viscous unit and made sure everything was bolted in correctly.

Today he just destroyed another radiator whilst doing another river crossing. I've attached the photo which hopefully shows the quarter circle of damage to the bottom half of the radiator. Assuming the radiator didn't move is it possible for the engine to move that far forward to damage the radiator. Or do the fan blades flexed a lot? I've also attached the photo of his disco showing the water depth.

I've gone through similar water depth in my disco and haven't had a problem so what should we look at on his disco. I'll check the engine mounts tomorrow.

Cheers.

I guess it depends on whether the viscous coupling is engaged or not ie freewheeling. If it is engaged and you enter water the fan goes in an instant from pulling air to pulling water so load increases and the fan blades flex and are pulled into the radiator. I carry a fan spanner and will remove the fan for deep crossings.

Originally Posted by onebob

I guess it depends on whether the viscous coupling is engaged or not ie freewheeling. If it is engaged and you enter water the fan goes in an instant from pulling air to pulling water so load increases and the fan blades flex and are pulled into the radiator. I carry a fan spanner and will remove the fan for deep crossings.

Second the motion, the fan blades have flexed forward into the radiator pulling water instead of air.

Simply remove the serpentine belt PRIOR to entering the water and replace it after you get through.

YES I know it is "old school" But this works

Old school is to put a chaff/sugar bag over the radiator grille.
A bit hard on the S2 as it draws air from below the bumper, too, but could be done.
I was taught that as a kid 50 years ago.
It stops the water pulling the fan blades forward into the core.

As above, undo the fan belt.

I made up an ally plate to drop in between shroud and radiator when doing that sort of stuff with mine.

Much easier.

Originally Posted by Tombie

I made up an ally plate to drop in between shroud and radiator when doing that sort of stuff with mine.

Much easier.

……. which is much easier than spinning the fan off the pulley which is much easier than removing the serpentine belt.
I like it

Many thanks for the replies fellas. I didn't think the fan blades would flex that much. Seen as the radiator has to come out, we'll look at making up a plate to protect the radiator for river crossings. Cheers

You can also simply use a tarp to cover the front of the 4WD when doing a deep water crossing.
This will not only prevent the fan chewing out the radiator it will also prevent the electonics in the engine bay from getting soaked as well.

As long as you maintain forward momentum this is a cheap and easy fix for your problem