loose fan

R

Ron Lowe

Senior Member
I have a leakless waterpump. I just notice you can wiggle the fan (and pulley) on the shaft of the pump quit a bit. I tried tightening the nut but seems to have bottomed out and there is still the same movement. I think I'm asking for trouble with this much wobble. Any ideas would be appreciated. Ron
 
It sounds as if the fan taper has wallowed out and the nut is hitting the shoulder on the shaft.It could have been a fan run loose in the past,a poorly tapered fan that seemed tight to begin with and loosened when the high spots wore off,it could have ridden up on the key when installed then loosened and wallowed after use. I saw an aluminum one crack in the keyway,it would be tight,then loosen after a few minutes of running.I also have seen aluminum fans that slide on the shaft beyond the shoulder,they can be shimmed with a washer.No matter what it is,it has to come off,at least for a look.
 
It's possible that you may be able to do that,but you HAVE to take a look at it first.You may find the taper is just too deep,and the washer can take up the space.The washer will have to be a tight fit around the shoulder.I think it is unlikely you will find no damage.At the least the key will be chewed up.You didn't say if you had a steel fan or an aluminum one.You may save the half hour or so by not taking the radiator off now to look,but if that fan grenades you will be working a lot of hours to buy a new radiator,fix the hood,etc.If the taper is too deep the pulleys may not line up also.There are things I will gamble with on my own cars,but the fan hub is one place the odds are stacked against you.
 
Thanks Keith, I'll take your advice and remove the fan and hub and inspect it for damage. I just had my hood painted and won't take a chance. Don't ask why I had it painted. ( broken fan blade!! ) Thanks Ron
 
You don't say if your fan is an original or a reproduction aluminum one. If it is an aluminum you may have one that is from the batch of defective fans that entered the market a while back.

I would not drive the car until the problem is resolved. The fan could break loose and go through the radiator, the hood, or your forehead.

Tom Endy
 
I agree with Keith and Tom. The cheapest fix right now is a new aluminum fan, if need be, and I'm pretty sure it will need to be replaced after being run loose.

BTW, a thin steel flat washer should go between the nut and fan, then after a few hours running, it wouldn't hurt to check the nut tightness.
 
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