Rad. Fan Clutch Go/NoGo???

[Glenn Biggs]

Does anybody know when a radiator fan clutch is not working correctly? In the morning when I start my engine you can hear the fan engaged, but as the engine warms up it starts to disengage untill you can't hear it anymore. Is this normal? Also, should it engage when the engine temp gauge is in the middle of "NORMAL" or past it? I replaced it a few months ago with a clutch from "AUTO ZONE" just in case the old one wasn't working right. Is there a way to test these things out? Not that my engine is overheating at idle w/A/C, but when driving in the mountains it tends to go all the way past the "L" in normal, and that's without pulling a load. I'm making sure everything is running normal before I upgrade to a bigger trany cooler/w a pusher fan. Any suggestions are always welcome. Thanks.

P.S. I used the "REDLINE" coolant additive, which worked very well, but I'm stationed in Italy now and cannot order it through the USPS.

 

[410Fortune]

Sounds like it is working perfectly, yes that is normal.

If your truck is running too hot replace the thermostat first...

 

[Glenn Biggs]

The T-stat was replaced a few months ago. I have replaced most of everything in the cooling system, even a bigger radiator. So my next move will be a Trans cooler w/ pusher fan rated at around 28,000 lb GVW upgrade. Thanks.

 

[MrShorty]

Here's what I found this weekend. My '92 has been getting hot all summer long. I thought it might be the fan clutch (I knew it wasn't the thremostat) so I undid the spring on the front of the fan clutch. This makes it so the fan clutch is like a traditional fan in that it is always spinning at full speed. Went camping this weekend and, pulling my tent trailer and all, I climbed Soldier summit and Indian Creek summit at full throttle w/o getting past the "r". Now I know I'm due a new fan clutch.