In trying to resolve my slight overheating issue, I noticed yesterday that the fan shroud (on the mechanical belt-driven fan) is broken and missing the bottom 25% to 30% of the shroud. Does anyone have any opinion on the importance of the shroud and whether or not a broken unit could actually limit the performance of the fan by somehow not directing the air through the radiator like it should be? In trying to fix my problem, I've decided to run through the list of potential fixes, starting with the least expensive ones first. Already did the water pump, thermostat, radiator cap and temperature gauge sensor. Next up is the fan clutch and a new shroud.

 

common sense says keep the shroud on. that thing will take a finger off. grab a new/used one
as for fixing the cooling problem, 9 out of 10 times it's the radiator in my experience.
flush it and check your heater core for any blockage. should probably flush that too

 

The shroud helps considerably when the vehicle is stopped, it forces the fan to pull air through the radiator. Once you are moving, the faster you go the less important it becomes. I'd think 25% damage is worth fixing, particularly if you have overheat problems at idle.

 

I was fighting overheating for awhile.
Problem was bad fan clutch and broken fan shroud. Plastic becomes brittle and if you buy shroud from junk yard it can break again.
I installed heavy duty radiator, but it couldn't compensate bad CLUTCH AND BROKEN SHROUD.

 

when was fan clutch last replaced?

 

My shroud is completly broken off and it seems to have no effect on temp.

 

as close as our fans are it really wont but let your finger tips caych the fan once and youll see/fell the other reason its there...

 

Lol ye and I need those to count to 10. Or else I'm screwed. My toes are too hard to get to to count with..

 

i hear that, a&m auto sells them new cheap i got one fit great.

 

Thanks guys. I'm going to replace the fan clutch today. I just need to remove the shroud and make sure that it is the same as a regular left hand drive shroud (I have a RHD Cherokee) before I order one. The broken part is way near the bottom, so I don't have to worry about the fan slicing off my fingers, but I'd like to get a "whole" one put on ASAP.

 

As mentioned previously, any air that does not pass thru the rad is wasted, with regard to cooling. Without the shroud or partial shroud, the fan will pull more air from the sides/top/bottom and less air thru the rad. Again, if air flow is not thru the rad, it's wasted flow. The fan shroud aids in max air flow thru the rad at low/no vehicle speed. A properly functioning fan clutch, in conjunction with the shroud, also assures max air flow thru the rad.

 

Thanks for the comments & suggestions. I replaced the fan clutch today and didn't notice much difference. The gauge continues to indicate right around 212 degrees. It's nowhere near the red portion of the gauge, but I'll see how close it gets on the mail route tomorrow. At this point, with all that I've replaced...the only thing left seems to be the radiator. I don't know if it is worth getting the whole system flushed out with some type of chemical solution or if I should just get a new radiator and be done with it. I know I can get a brand new RHD radiator for $128.00, so I may just go that route. In the unlikely event that a new shroud drops the temp. 20 degrees, I'll be a happy guy indeed!

 

Each of the cooling system components are like a link in a chain.....the chain ain't worth a flip with a weak link. Spendy for a new rad, shroud, whatever else is left........u'll sleep better.

 

Even if you get a new radiator you want to flush the system. If the radiator is plugged up you can expect to get gunk in the rest of the cooling system. On top of that the warranty is voided on a new radiator if the system isn't flushed prior to install (read the fine print on them.)

 

The fan clutch and shroud work together.......any air that does not pass thru the rad is wasted and the shroud insures that the max amount of air is directed thru the rad. A new fan clutch insures that the air being directed thru the rad is pulled at max flow at slow/no vehicle speed. My guess is with a postal vehicle, u'll be stopping/going very slow quite frequently.