Fan clutch....HELP!!

[scott.kregar]

Ok...I have a 1994 XLT that has been running between at or around the RM in 'NORMAL', however, when I accelerate (from a stop, to pass, climbing hills) it will reach toward the MA then rapidly cool back to RM or just under. It I run at ~63 (1800RPM) it runs cooler, if I run at ~55 (1500RPM) it will creep more toward the M.

My concern is that I am moving from the rather flat Northern VA region up to the more foothilly region of Brandywine Valley PA. I am concerned that possibly the Fan Clutch may be going bad.

Notes about things I have had done to attempt to resolve this:
Replaced Radiator with Ford replacement
Replaced hoses with Ford replacements
Replaced Thermostat with stock Ford part

The only things I have not replaced are the water pump (no leakage detected...placed posterboard under pump), and the fan cluctch.

The dealer tells me this is normal, however, I have driven several identically equiped explorers, and this is driving me insane...

Any and all help will be greatly appriciated.

Scott Kregar

 

[RTStork]

Grab the fan and try to move it side to side. If there's some slack in it, your clutch is bad. That was the sympton on a Ford Ranger that I had. You could also get a aftermarket temp gauge to hookup and see if its really running hot. The factory guages are known to be screwey.