Radiator Fan : Should I replace

[drjay9051]

Well I did something stupid!

Had the right side engine cover off as I was doing a complete tractor cleaning.

In the middle of cleaning I helped a neighbor move some brush without replacing cover.

A small branch hit the fan behind the radiator and all the blades now have a small area broken off.

Tractor does not overheat. Should I pay to have fan replaced or consider myself lucky that the blades were not totally destroyed and leave it alone.

Of course replace covers next time before tractor work.

 

[Gary Fowler]

It depends on how much is broken and if all the blades are broken to the same degree so it is still balanced. If it is just a small amount and all equal, I think I might just run it for a while as is.
In any case, I wouldn't pay hundreds of $$$ to have it replaced, do it yourself, it cant be that hard to do with just nominal tools on hand.

 

[ecruzin]

I would replace it. The blade may be out of balance enough to cause the waterpump to wear due to vibration. Looks like its easy enough to change.

 

[MotorSeven]

I was grubbing in the woods a few years ago and backed up over a stick that quickly removed all of my fan blades. A replacement fan is pretty cheap and there is just enough room to get the old one out and the new one in without removing the radiator or fluid.