PSA: buy a spare fan blade

[Brandon Ryder]

I broke a fan blade last week in a deep puddle in the mountains that I've crossed dozens of times before. This time for some reason it was a foot or so deeper. Afterwards it felt like I had a missing cylinder but in my inspection of the plugs and coils, i saw the broken blade. Must have broken when the water hit the spinning fan.
Unable to balance the fan blade, i was unwilling to drive until I replaced it. I ordered a new fan blade last week because no one local had one. So our family hauler was down until i got my replacement today.
This was not in my list of emergency parts I keep on hand. It's only about 50 or 60 dollars. Worth having an extra one in the garage if you go off road at all, even if you avoid deep water crossings as i do.

 

[hoser]

I've broken a fan blade too. Same cause... water crossing. Continued wheeling and drove home just trying to keep the RPM's low. I don't think any collateral damage if short term from the wobbly mechanism.

IF I crossed water frequently, I'd consider adapting one of the new fan clutches on the '22+ Tundra. It is has an electric actuator instead, which means it can be disengaged for water crossings. Haven't compared them side by side to see spacing and fan compatibility and such.

 

[Brandon Ryder]

For me, the inbalance was felt primarily at idle. Felt like a missing cylinder. Driving home felt ok once at speed. Just didn't want to potentially wear out a bearing from it. Still worth having one on hand IMO.

 

[nissanh]

A part of the fan blade broke and struck the radiator causing a coolant leak.. all happened at home while I was working on something else on the engine...
It is VERY important to inspect the fan blades for ANY MINOR CRACKS.. this is where the blade broke!.

 

[landshark9]

Me too, during a water crossing. Luckily the blade avoided all things important...