XJ40 Sov - elec fan

[loudv8]

My 1990 Sov has the single viscous fan and a single electric fan. I have never been aware of the elec fan running but the other day the fuse blew. The fuse also supplies the A/C clutch. On inspection, the fan was very stiff and obviously the thermostat had cut in and the stiff motor had overloaded the fuse. (A/C is working fine). I have removed the fan and am wondering if it really worth replacing. This car has been to the South of France the last two summers and I have never heard this fan or had overheating problems. Is this fan to cover for warmer climates or is it really necessary and I'm about to blow the head gasket ?

[prof beard]

My old Daimler suffered from that fuse going as well. It only ever happened in slow queues in hot weather. The fans are pretty expensive items to replace. I just lived with it and carried a couple of spare fuses - usually had to change about one a year! Even when the fuse had gone in slow traffic, the engine never got worryingly hot.

[loudv8]

Cheers, prof, that's the sort of reply I was hoping for