93TwotoneXLT
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- March 2, 2006
- Messages
- 159
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Evansville, In
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1993 XLT4x4
Well, I replaced the fan clutch and fan about 2 months ago now. The clutch is working fine(napa unit) and the fan is already cracking around the base(advance auto). Here is my dilemma: When I run my A/C and get stuck in traffic after driving for around 20 minutes the needle on the temp gauge will slowly but surely start creeping up on the NORMAL range. It takes about 3 minutes of sitting in traffic before the gauge starts to go up. I always keep an eye on it and never let it get past the M. When it gets to that point I put the truck in neutral and rev the engine to about 2K. After idling it high(the clutch is audibly engaged and the fan is definately moving air) for about 30 seconds the gauge starts going back down. After 45 seconds or so the needle is resting between the "O" and the "R", which is where it stays any other time. The needle never moves when I am driving along in traffic or on the highway at speed. Also, it never moves from between the "O" and the "R" when I am not running the A/C, no matter how hot it is or how long I sit in traffic. The temperature here has been between 85 and 95 for the last month or so. I have a 198 degree thermostat and a new temp sender in the truck as well. I know that the thermostat is working properly because when I first drive the truck in the morning the needle will work its way almost to the "M" on the gauge then go back down quickly to the "N" when the t-stat opens. I know that if I were to just let the truck keep idling at the normal rpm(about 600-700 with the truck in gear) it would almost certainly overheat when I run the A/C. So here is my question at long last. Does Ford have a heavy duty fan clutch available that will spin the fan at a higher rpm than a stock style clutch? Also, the fan has nine blades, as did the stock one. I have seen that the 95+ has an eleven blade fan(I think). Will this fan fit on a 1st gen X? I am thinking that when I am idling with the A/C on the clutch is not spinning the fan fast enough to bring in enough cool air, or that the fan may need a couple more blades to bring more air in, or a combination of both. As a note, the 198 t-stat opens between the "R" and the "M" on the gauge everyday like clockwork, so I am assuming that this point on the gauge is roughly 198 degrees, so I know that by letting it get to the "M" I am in no danger of letting it overheat. I do like to err on the side of caution and would prefer that the needle stay put between the "O" and the "R". The truck is not losing any coolant whatsoever and the oil is perfectly clean. I keep the truck well maintained and the coolant is as green as when I first put it in with a 50/50 mix. Fuel economy is a consistant 18 city and a just back from a highway trip to Hilton Head 23 highway. I know that this is long as h*** but I like to be thorough. Thanks in advance for any replies 
P.S. I still have the R12 system. I think that it may be low on freon because I know that it is normal for the compressor to cycle on and off to help fuel economy. Once the A/C starts going for a minute the compressor never cycles off until I rev the engine to 2K, then it cycles on and off ~ every 10 seconds. As soon as I take my foot off the gas and let it idle normally the compressor stays on constantly until I repeat the process.(Next time I am in traffic or if I am stuck in the same spot for awhile during rush hour) I am going to have the system evacuated soon and am going to recharge with R12 again.(My stepdad still has a crapload that he bought before you had to have a license to get the stuff along with the charge oil)
P.S. I still have the R12 system. I think that it may be low on freon because I know that it is normal for the compressor to cycle on and off to help fuel economy. Once the A/C starts going for a minute the compressor never cycles off until I rev the engine to 2K, then it cycles on and off ~ every 10 seconds. As soon as I take my foot off the gas and let it idle normally the compressor stays on constantly until I repeat the process.(Next time I am in traffic or if I am stuck in the same spot for awhile during rush hour) I am going to have the system evacuated soon and am going to recharge with R12 again.(My stepdad still has a crapload that he bought before you had to have a license to get the stuff along with the charge oil)
