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tanrealty's avatar
tanrealty
Explorer
Jun 18, 2014

Loose Fan Blades

I have a 2006 GulfStream Endura. We were coming home this past Memorial Day Weekend when I heard a loud "pop". I pulled over, my first thought being we blew a tire. When I got out of the RV, all my tires were fine, but I smelled coolant. I popped the hood, and noticed my radiator was leaking.
Well, after inpecting the engine area, come to find that my fan blades had come loose, shredded the fan shroud, and then puncted 3 holes in my radiator.
Wow... who would have ever thought that could happen???
Luckily we were about 15 minutes from home. I got out some needle nose pliars, pinched together the hole and filled it with water.
It got us home.
I was amazed when I started researching on the internet how many other people with my year and model, this has happen to.
I reported it to the National Highway Saftey Commission.
I called GM (its a GM chassis) and there have beenno recalls for this problem. Seems to me there should be, since this has happened to more than a few of us.
Anyone else have this happen?
Class C

3 Replies

  • ronfisherman's avatar
    ronfisherman
    Moderator
    Jun 19, 2014
    There have been several reports of the fan blade failures on RV.NET, DP and Kodiak Chassis forums.. The blades breakaway from the center hub. Most of the time they fail at high RPM's. I check my fan blade with a flash light to make sure there are no cracks at the center hub. In 2006 GM changed from a manual clutch to a electrical clutch. Failure of the fans seem to happen on the newer models.
    I also check to make sure the fan clutch is working freely. Try to keep RPM's under 3000.
  • OldRadios's avatar
    OldRadios
    Explorer
    Jun 18, 2014
    tanrealty wrote:

    I was amazed when I started researching on the internet how many other people with my year and model, this has happen to.
    I reported it to the National Highway Saftey Commission.
    I called GM (its a GM chassis) and there have beenno recalls for this problem. Seems to me there should be, since this has happened to more than a few of us.


    Obviously from the news lately several people have to die from a problem and GM has to be caught knowing about it for several years and doing nothing before they issue a recall.
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    Jun 18, 2014
    Very Fortunate! Given that it had to happen at all, of course. I haven't heard Kodiak owners speak about it but I can say for sure there are fan/fan clutch issues from time to time. There are specific warnings in shop procedure about staying out of the line of fire from slung fan blades. I wonder if your fan clutch had failed. I've heard of fan clutches locking up to the point of zero slippage and the fan pulling the bearings out of the water pump. If the clutch also allowed wobble in the fan, I can see where it'd shake the fan apart.

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