Thread: fan

I've had it happen to me twice now... first time without any damage, 2nd time was almost identical to you... Radiator Top Hose Mount destroyed, Power Steering Fluid Bottle House Barbs Snapped off, Both Shrowds destroyed etc etc...

I determined the 2nd one to be caused by a Newish Defective VC which was too "tight" to begin with. This meant at higher revs (when it happened) the Fan just exploded....

I've some nasty trouble with VC's Generally... I only order the ones from Davies Craig in Melbourne now as they seem ok (and around $100)

How do you check if the VC is too tight? Is this something that deteriorates with age and needs checking on a regular basis?
Gary

Mine was an almost brand new one that was defective from the Factory.
I believe they will generally go "looser" than tighter over time...

Not sure it wasn't caused by an engine mount that allowed the motor to flex around and the fan may have come in contact with the cowling. The clearance is only about 20mm at most on the battery side .

I have replaced the engine mountings since the problem. They were both split on both sides of each mounting and were very likely the cause. Only other thing it may have been would be a stick as the front diff pumpkin was ploughing the ground at the time. After emergency repairs it still drove that section of the track, yet the troopy behind with 33's and 2 lockers really struggled and needed one wheelrut to be improved. Their off road performance is excellent.
So if you go offroad often it's worth checking engine mounts for cracks as the motor doesn't have to flex over much under power for the fan to touch the lower cowl and the results could be devastating. Lucky we were with our club , LROCT and they were most helpfull and understanding, which lessened our embarrasment.

As I have now had a second fan disintegrate, the theory is now that the viscous coupling locked up too suddenly and the fan couldn't handle the sudden increase in revs with the centre cracking and general chaos.
The damage this time was minimal but will still run to probably $500 for a fan, upper and lower cowl and a pipe or two. Hope it doesn't happen again.

Where are you getting the replacement VC/Fan from?

This time I have ordered a used fan and coupling from a wrecker. They have been separated but would have been used together no doubt.
I will have to check my records when I get time, but I only replaced the old one due to slight overheating issue, and since have had 2 fans fly to pieces. Looks like the coupling for sure, especially as it happened at a spot where I have heard the fan kick in before.