kyledye25

This weekend I replaced the water pump and thermostat in my 96 XJ 4.0 auto. Just trying to keep up with regular maintenance. But I removed the small electric fan very easily to make room to replace the water pump. Then I started to look at the plastic surround around the bigger fan. Noticed it probably would not just slide out like the small fan did. But I also noticed the one side was broke. So I wiggled it a bit and snap! Dang....other side broke. So the bottom half fell out and the top half I pulled out. Now I put the top half back in but it flaps and wiggles a bit. I noticed after I was driving a bit that if i made a quick stop or accelerated quickly you could here it hit the fan for a second. Then stop. My question is can I just leave it out? I know its there to keep your fingers away from the fan. And looks like it helps with pushing the air forward with the way the top is. Should get in there and make sure it won't move? Zip ties or something I imagine should work. Or can I just remove it? Just curious how important it really could be. I want to remove it. I'll keep it but don't want it hitting the fan.

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Bigb201

From my understanding it is pretty important. It's purpose is to channel the air to the motor. If it is missing or damaged then the fan blows less air and is not directed at all. I would hit the junk yard and replace. Our jeeps run hot enough as is.

TheJerm

I broke mine doing that too, I just duct taped it back together.

Topjimmyk

Yea I broke mine and havnt fixed it yet. Seems fine for now.

Wadesie

There are some generic replacements on the BAY for around $25 with free shipping. Mine broke when I rolled my XJ so I am looking as well. Mine the housing is there but the part on the top the raises up for the fan is gone. It makes me very nervous not having it there because my son likes to work on the XJ with me and there is about an inch of exposed fan blade there. I thought about glueing back on but I am afraid that it wont hold and if broke loose it would damage the fan or the radiator.

96xj4x4

your right it does serve a purpose in directing the cool air where it should be. i broke mine a couple years ago and tried fixing it with tape and zip ties. the fix never worked quite right and the shroud would hit the fan when accelerating hard. so i just took it out awhile ago, over six months, and haven't had a problem since. although it is something i do plan to replace.

kyledye25

Thanks for input. As of now its off. It's not too hot here in western pa yet. Getting there. I guess I will start looking for another or maybe fix this one. I figured it would be important. And your right about the XJs running hot as is. Hopefully its fine for a few days. But it was hitting the fan like crazy so I pulled it out. I'll start looking around for a new one or find one in junk yard. While I'm looking ill try to fix the broken one. I have gorilla tape and gorilla glue. That should do the job.

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jcwclm

Just do an e-fan swap!

FUnkman1025

You def need the shroud around the fan.

dukie564

Agreed the shroud is definitely necessary for the cooling system to work properly.

You may not notice it now but as soon as it gets hot you will have issues. The mechanical fan will not pull enough air through the radiator without the shroud.

freegdr

drill small hole on both sides of the crack run zip tie thru them and pull tight this will by time untill you get a new one

DaddyCat

I broke mine and used pop rivets and some steel banding to put it back together. If you don't have steel banding or pop rivets some semi ridgid plastic (plastic gutter/down spout ect.) and epoxy would work too.

kyledye25

Cool thanks for the great ideas. Won't use the gorilla tape now Haha. I think once the take gets warm it won't stick as well. But I will be fixing it this week for sure. Maybe even tomorrow night if I get a chance. But I'm putting on a high flow cat tomorrow after I get off. Always nice working at a good shop. So if it goes well and fast then I wi have time to fix it. Thanks again for the info.

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