fan allways on, engine allways running cold

[91explo]

could i need a new fan clutch? It sounds like the fan is running at the same speed as the engine when i accelerate? I'm not sure if this is normal or not...ive only had the thing for a few weeks, i got it for cheeapp! So iam running into a few little issues of course. It's just strange that its allways on and loud! Its all i hear even over the exhaust...it sounds beafy but i dont think its normal!! help!!

 

[Tbars4]

when you take off in the morning, a working fan clutch will roar until it gets to temp and engages...i would take it back and get a new one as they usually have a warranty...this is one of those items that a retailer names the rating different from another retailer...one will say heavy duty is the best and the other retailer will tell you their heavy duty is only good...:scratch:

 

[IZwack]

Check the thermostat

 

[mikeinri]

How cold is cold? Where is the needle on the temp gauge?

Mike

 

[91explo]

well i changed the thermostat today and not much of a change in the temp, it doesnt get more then a 1/4 up from cold. The fan is allways on. Im pretty sure the fan clutch is stuck whitch is leaving the fan on?

 

[hlover]

hey if the fan is not working would it turn at all. my truck is overheating and i cant figure out why. this is the first car that i have ever had that had a clutch fan and not electrical ones so I dont know how they really work. from what I can tell its not the termostat cuz i took it out and it looks like the water pump is working. I look in the rediator and the water moves if it is on and when i accelorate it.

 

[Tbars4]

when the clutch fan is shot, there are a few symptoms...if you put your had on the backside of the fan with the motor off of course, you will have black ground lead looking stuff on your hands for a lack of better terms to use, it is bearing dust...
...the 2 failed symptoms of a shot fan is always cool or extreme overheating...always cool is because the fan has it's own thermostat kinda built in...once it fails the fan is always engaged and always cooling...
...overheating is do to the bearing is shot in the fan clutch and will no longer engage...i am sure these are not all the technical terms but the average guy can easily diagnose either of these problems.... good luck...
...btw, post #2 here is pretty important too...

 

[hlover]

well my truck is extreme overheating all the way up to the H I think that it probaly is the fan to. Have you guys chage your fans to electric fan I was thinking of doing that to mines. Do you think a 16 fan would work.

 

[Tbars4]

...there are several write ups here for the e-fans...i myself have not gone that way and replacing the fan clutch is alot cheaper to do...you might want to try a search on electric fans,

 

[91explo]

well you know what,at least its not the opposite and running hot. i'm just going to leave it the way it is. vehicles run better when they run cold anyways..haha. That fan clutch looks like a ***** to do so im just goin to see what happens if i continue drivin it with it on.

 

[Tbars4]

...let me let you in on a little secret...all your emmisions and such are run pretty much by your thermostat....that is why it is so important to have the correct thermostat...if your fan clutch is not working properly, it tells other components not only is it hot, or that it is to cool, but to compensate for this condition...milage and all kinds of other adverse conditions will develop in time...to change a fan clutch for the first time ever would take a newbie probably 1- 1-1/2 hours tops....at the same time you could change your serpentine belt and check your belt tensioner...i believe you came here looking to fix your vehicle and make it last a long time rather than to see how little you could get away with doing ,lol...
...little fixes like this can be the difference of having a non drivable vehicle within a couple months or having a vehicle you can depend on...just my 2 cents though...

btw, i hope you don't like the luxury of air conditioning as this non cycling will take that out pretty quick...:scratch:

 

[hlover]

if i was to eliminate the clutch fan and put an electrical what would i need to do?

 

[dtholmanmax]

i agree that it's the fan clutch - had one go out on a Dakota and i thought the truck was going to blow up! My dad diagnosed it and it was an easy fix.

 

[Tbars4]

...after you find the threads on it, using the search button, you will have all the answers grasshopper..

there is a ton of info here and i would hate to see you miss out and not get all the correct info...

 

[hlover]

ok I will change the fan clutch what tools will i need to take the fan off. also what is the stock clutch in this list http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductList.aspx?parttype=176&ptset=A&searchfor=Fan+Clutch

 

[91explo]

I drive a 04 focus for my daily driver. The explorer is just my off road and winter vehicle so the A/C isnt critical at all! I guess I will look into this fan clutch thing....and yes I do need to replace the belt!