Moss Recall: Tropical Radiator Fan

[62BT7]

All: I'd once considered mounting a Moss reproduction of the metal "Tropical Fan" but decided against it for a variety of reasons, so it's been sitting in my garage pending action on my part.

In a multi-page letter dated November 9th, however, Moss notified me that it is voluntarily recalling all such radiator fans due apparently to workmanship issues in the reproductions and, as I understand it, an inherent flaw (stress on the inner rivet) in the original design (suggesting that it's impossible to offer a truly safe reproduction). A conversation with a Moss rep indicated that Moss is trying to get these fans out of circulation, so if you have one, heads up; if you know someone who has such a fan please let them know of this recall. I know these have been recalled before, but from the text of the letter it looks like this time it's curtains for these reproductions, at least from Moss (I know they are also offered in what appears to me to be an identical design from Healey Haven, perhaps others).

Moss is offering a refund and a $75 credit to make up for the hassle and to maintain positive customer relations. I'm not affiliated with Moss, I just want fellow Healey addicts to motor safely, etc.
-Tom Pierce

 

[glemon]

Can you give more details, part #, I looked on the website and didn't see any information on this. I have what I think is a tropical fan, which is the reproduction of the hot climate item for the 100, is this the one you are talking about?

Moss 834-835 it lists for well over $75.

Thanks, Greg

 

[Dave Russell]

The six blade steel flex fan from British Car Specialists, #CPA19115, is very efficient, strong, & well proven. It can be identified by it's having four rivets per blade instead of the more usual three rivets.
D

 

[Keoke]

Can you give more details, part #, I looked on the website and didn't see any information on this. I have what I think is a tropical fan, which is the reproduction of the hot climate item for the 100, is this the one you are talking about?

Moss 834-835 it lists for well over $75.

Thanks, Greg

Hi Greg, I think based on the Moss picture that the fan you have is the notorious one noted for going through radiators and bonnets when it fails. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cheers.gif--Keoke

 

[MarkA]

They are recalling part #834-880. Besides the refund of the original purchase price and covering the shipping, they are including another $75 credit for future purchases. Kinda nice of them (and real smart for making happy customers!). I had already replaced mine with the BCS unit which I have been happy with. I've been wondering for the last couple of months what I was going to do with the Moss fan, besides hanging it on the wall...

Mark

 

[Keoke]

OH ! but I am talking about the other one like Greg has. The 835-880 was recalled years ago I don't know why it's still around ??--Keoke- /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cowboy.gif

 

[glemon]

Hmm, I had not heard that, it looks pretty sturdy, got it about 7-8 years ago, I will have to check where it came from for sure in my files, thought it was Moss, so far it hasn't come apart...

 

[northstar]

Are you talking about the MOSS
6 blade tropical 834-880 yellow
or
6 blade hot climate 834-835
or
6 blade modern 231-708
Not trying to be funny, Last week I tried to order the
834-880, but the # would not come up. So I settled for the 834-835. Did I make the correct choice ?

 

[Keoke]

Both--Keoke-- /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/yesnod.gif

 

[tahoe healey]

I'm running the original fan. I check the sturdiness and for wiggle and signs of wear at the rivits whenever I'm at that part of the engine or changing the oil. What exactly should I be looking for that I may be missing on one that may fail?
TH

 

[Keoke]

Hi TH
This discussion is not concerned with the "Original Fan" only a select few of the after market types sold by various vendors.---Keoke

 

[tahoe healey]

I know, Keoke, but I've been told the originals come apart too.

 

[Keoke]

Well Th, to the best of my knowledge I have no indication that the original fans fail. It is possible if the fan were damaged somehow and not correctly fixed and balanced it might fail. OTOH, Them stories you been told just might be Irish Whispers.--Keoke- /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif

 

[Randy Forbes]

I only have an electric fan on my car, and I don't think its blade are much of a threat...

But, I did buy it from Moss /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

 

[Keoke]

OH!Randy, you always doin sumpin different. But man you sure be lucky---Keoke-- /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif

 

[Keoke]

Hmm, I had not heard that, it looks pretty sturdy, got it about 7-8 years ago, I will have to check where it came from for sure in my files, thought it was Moss, so far it hasn't come apart...

Hi Greg
Check your part number if possible. If you are running the # 234-835 on the 100 engine it may be OK. However, in the Moss piccy it looks just like the 835-880.--Keoke-?

 

[terp83]

I've been watching this thread with interest, having purchased a 6 bladed fan (part #2-7850) from Victoria British in 2000. It is bright yellow, and has never been installed. Each blade is attached to the fan hub with five rivets. The part appears to be currently available on VB's on-line catalog (page 55). Is this one o.k.? I would rather err on the side of caution.

Jerry Erhard

 

[Keoke]

Hi Jerry, I do not know what the source of the yellow six bladed fans are that are solc by the various vendors. We might postulate that they all come out of the same bin, but that is speculation as we never checked the vendor source with the fans we saw on cars. However, to err on the safe side you might consider purchasing BC'S SS flex fan if you need more cooling air. While it is ugly as sin /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif it enjoys a good reputation by users.--Fwiw--Keoke

 

[62BT7]

Hello All:

Since I started this thread originally I thought I'd revisit it after an absence. To address some of the comments & queries above:

(a) The only part I'm aware that's recalled is Moss Part # 834-880. That was specifically the part referenced in the recall letter, and there was a photo in the letter as well; six blades, all metal, sort of a dark yellow color. It was still in the last Moss paper catalog I have, but it's probably not the most current one. If other Moss fans also are being recalled that was not mentioned in the letter sent to me, and it's news to me.

(b) I called Moss to inquire after receiving the letter and spoke to a fellow named Michael Grant. Very friendly and he knows Healeys pretty well. If you want further details on the recall I'd give him a call.

(c) I cannot comment on the Tropical Fan reproductions sold by other vendors but will say that I am very familiar with the reproduction sold by Healey Haven. I've done a one-in-one-hand, one-in-the-other-hand comparison, and they looked and felt identical. I mean really identical; design, rivet placement, paint shade, etc. So I suspect there's a common manufacturer out there (India?) where these are manufactured and distributed but that is pure speculation on my part.

(d) Finally, the text of the Moss letter had a sentence (and dammit, I tossed my letter after I'd resolved my issue) that lead me to believe the flaw was in the reproductions but also inherent to the original design. Moss commented in words to the effect that that is why no accurate reproduction could be safely made. Something about undue stress on the inner rivet. Again, I'd give Michael Grant a call to inquire.

I'm by no means passing myself off as qualified to give any opinions on cooling fan safety, I'm just passing along only what I know of the recall. My read of the letter (and I'm a recovering attorney...) is that Moss fans, identical fans offered by other vendors and even original fans should be carefully inspected, etc. Who knows if there's a flaw in your fan? You'll have to proceed as you see fit. Happy motoring!

-Tom Pierce
PS: Based on comments from folks on this site I eventually decided to go with a BCS stainless steel flex fan. Looks really good and although it'd never come close to concours I painted it to match the paint on original fans (I'm doing a concours-in-sprit restoration...). Should work great and look close to (sorta...kinda...maybe?) a tropical fan. Close enough for me and all have said it works great in the heat.

 

[Keoke]

Well all of this has been interesting to say the least. However I am still perplexed at why many other consumers have purchased that fan some of whom may be on this forum ,but only you got a Letter? Sounds to me a bit like the first time the 834-880 was recalled years ago. To the best of my knowledge only a club president with a concourse car who had purchased one of these fans received a letter at that time too and it took TWO letters yesrs apart to recall it? Strange HUH-- Keoke--AX-- /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cowboy.gif