fan clutch question

[prybylo]

I have read about two types of fan cluthes on Explorers; one controlled by the engine RPM and one controlled by temperature. Does anyone know what type of fan is on a 2000 with an EFI engine? My runs all the time which I think may be why the radiator never heats up.

 

[dogfriend]

The only ones I have seen on Ford trucks are filled with a viscous fluid (silcone based I think) that gets thicker as it heats up. Therefore it is more effective at turning the fan at higher temps than low ones.

If your truck is not heating up at all, check the thermostat to make sure it isn't sticking open. For some reason, Explorers seem to have a lot of problems with the thermostat.

 

[prybylo]

Thanks, I'm going to do the thermostat first, but just thinking ahead. It's still under warranty, so the dealer changed the thermostat a couple weeks ago. Didn't make much difference and now they insist there is no problem. I'd rather deal with it myself at this point.

 

[TPLYNCH]

There have been people who've had to replace the t-stat 2 or 3 times. It's possible you got another bad one. I had mine replaced already too, so it seems to be a common problem in the newer models. Are you getting good heat from the heater?

 

[prybylo]

Heat fluctuates, roughly corresponding with the gage. I bought a new thermostat on the way home from work. I'll install it tomorrow and let you know how it works.

 

[prybylo]

You guys were right. I got a new thermostat from NAPA. Also, I broke off the little stopper to open up the weep hole. Temperature is now stable and heat is really hot. So I'm not sure if the second thermostat was bad or opening the weep hole did the trick.

 

[dogfriend]

Someone else on the board suggested that you could cure the fluctuating temp by removing the weep valve, but I didn't understand your problem from the original post.

I think they just gave you a bad thermostat.

Glad you got it fixed