Radiator Fan Suicide

NWA_Dave

NWA_Dave

New member
Shortly after I bought my 2000 4Runner, the radiator fan self-destructed, just spontaneously broke apart. I purchased an after-market (Dorman) fan from Advanced Auto. When I was removing the fan, one of the bolts broke off in the fan clutch, so I also replaced it with (an aftermarket) clutch.

The aftermarket clutch never did seem to work right, making the fan run more than it needed. I recently decided enough is enough and purchased an OEM fan clutch. This new fan clutch works much better, only running the fan when it should instead of most of the time.

Last week, while going up a hill with the pedal to the floor the fan (less than 2 years old) self-destructed, shedding all but two blades. It was yellowed with age, and I'm wondering:
-Is Dorman a descent brand?
-Is there something else causing my fan blades to self-destruct?

The dorman fan has a "limited life-time warranty" at advance, but I decided to go with a new OEM fan. I may take the old fan into Advance and insist that they give me a store credit to spend on something else.

Your opinions are appreciated! :-)
 
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I wouldn't buy anything Dorman again, unless I didn't have an option.

I purchased a Dorman exhaust manifold for the 95 Corolla I have. It's cracked in under a year. Meh...
 
Redcat said:
I wouldn't buy anything Dorman again, unless I didn't have an option.

I purchased a Dorman exhaust manifold for the 95 Corolla I have. It's cracked in under a year. Meh...
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I wouldn't buy anything dorman unless it's hardware. Even then, I'd do my research.
 
Anything not OEM on these things tend to get rejected. Similar issue with a brake booster. Had mine go out and had to buy a Napa equivalent due to being out in a small town on a saturday morning. 2 years later, boom, the Napa booster goes out. Got and OEM one and its been great ever since and noticeably better than the Napa one. The funny thing is Ive never heard of anyone having a brake booster problem prior to the Electronic TC stuff.

Oh, and good luck on getting that credit. Ill be super impressed if you do.
 
Check your motor mounts. My friend destroyed his fan shroud when one of his motor mounts broke. The engine would surge upwards tilting the fan into the shroud when he pushed the motor hard.
 
puzzled

Okay, I replaced the fan with the OEM fan, got the bolts tightened up. Started the engine, let it run a couple minutes, then revved it up with my hand. I've definitely got some kind of problem just not sure what exactly.

I can't see the engine really move like it's an issue with the motor mounts. However, I can see irregular movement on the fan itself, hard to describe except to say it's very subtle visually. But, when revved high enough I can hear the fan brush up against either the radiator or the shroud...what the heck would cause this?
 
So sad when parts decide to end it all and never give an indication that anything was wrong. If only the radiator fan had asked for help, it might still be here today. So many times we look back and wonder if there were any clues, we second guess ourselves. I'm sorry for your loss. But don't blame yourself. You couldn't have known. You have to go on living. Your radiator fan would have wanted it that way.
 
NWA_Dave said:
Okay, I replaced the fan with the OEM fan, got the bolts tightened up. Started the engine, let it run a couple minutes, then revved it up with my hand. I've definitely got some kind of problem just not sure what exactly.

I can't see the engine really move like it's an issue with the motor mounts. However, I can see irregular movement on the fan itself, hard to describe except to say it's very subtle visually. But, when revved high enough I can hear the fan brush up against either the radiator or the shroud...what the heck would cause this?
Click to expand...
bad waterpump, or fan pulley. not sure how that one is set up, whether the fan runs directly on the waterpump, or has a separate pulley.

just looked it up, the fan runs on its own pulley. id guess its got a bad bearing.
 
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opie74 said:
Its pretty straight forward. I replaced mine when I did the timing belt service.
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Is there any real need for a tension measuring tool, or is there a "rule of thumb" for checking the belt tightness when I put it all back together?
 
IIRC, belt deflection is between 3/8 and 1/2" measured in the longest section between the pulleys. If you are putting on new belts, they will stretch so you will need to recheck them after a few hundred miles.
 
Thanks Guys

Thanks again guys, I'll post once I receive the new one and get it installed...looks like I may not get it until Monday. In the mean time, enjoy this pic of the old fan...
 

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All fixed!

Okay, replaced the fan pulley bracket today. The process wasn't too bad, and I'm an amateur!

For anyone out there that ever needs to replace their fan pulley bracket: It is NOT necessary to drain coolant or remove the top radiator hose...you can remove all the bolts from the timing belt cover, and just finagle things without removing the hose. Also, I did not need to remove the fan shroud either.

When I removed the old fan pulley bracket, I gave it a spin with my hand. It spun freely but did make a subtle scratchy sound, so the bearings did appear to be going bad. After finishing up, I started her, let her warm up, then revved the engine from under the hood to test things, no sign of the fan bumping up against anything anymore.

Thanks for you all your help & opinions guys!
 
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