Removing Engine Cooling Fan

[robby001]

Anyone here ever remove there main cooling fan on a 4.6 v8. I would like to remove it and replace with an electric fan. Are there any good electric fan setups that come as a complete kit for this thanks.

 

[rileyrs]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=139002

might be helpful

 

[robby001]

Thanks for that it was a great help. But do you by chance know where I can find the instructions on how to pull off the clutch fan or is it just bolted on?

 

[Fox Fader]

Anyone here ever remove there main cooling fan on a 4.6 v8. I would like to remove it and replace with an electric fan. Are there any good electric fan setups that come as a complete kit for this thanks.

Why? IF you think it's going to make your vehicle more efficient, you're wrong.

 

[robby001]

Why? IF you think it's going to make your vehicle more efficient, you're wrong.

WHAT? Ok umm that wasn't the reason but thanks for your opinion...

 

[BrianDye]

Why? IF you think it's going to make your vehicle more efficient, you're wrong.

From what ive read on other threads, your wrong. Ive read of people getting up to 2-3 mpg more, depending on city/hwy, and how heavy your foot is.

 

[robby001]

I have heard the same. I was looking at replacing my fan clucth as it is seized up and you sure can tell it is moving some air. I wanted to replace with stock but have also been thinking of electric but not sure what way to go with.

 

[1_v8_merc]

I've also been wondering how to take it off.
I know theres a large center-nut/bolt that probably takes it off, but i never really attempted anything.

I'd assume a good look in a Chiltons manual would tell you how to remove it.


I'd like to get an electric fan too, because that bigass fan is REALLY in the way if I ever had to work on the belt system, and electric fans are usually alot smaller and thin....not to mention more effiecient, but im not sure if you'd actually notice the difference.

 

[BrianDye]

Trust me, even trying to get your belt off with the big fan is a *****! I myself want to get an electric fan for my 95 but it seems so complicated...

 

[rileyrs]

check out aldives mpg forum, an electric fan gains hp and mpg! everyone who has one agrees with it!

 

[Fox Fader]

From what ive read on other threads, your wrong. Ive read of people getting up to 2-3 mpg more, depending on city/hwy, and how heavy your foot is.

That's malarkey, we've prove this with various cars.

Think about it, once the vehicle gets moving, the incoming air actually turns the fan and the fan turns the clutch (though the clutch is slipping some), then the clutch is turning which takes some of the load off the engine. In other words, the engine is not always carrying the full load of the fan and clutch.

Ford and everyone else, needs to meet the EPA requirements. If they could REALLY get 2mpg out of electric fans, every car and truck made would have electric fans. This goes deeper the it seems. Auto manufactures have to get a certain amout of mileage out of their trucks & cars to meet EPA standards. Electric fans would be a great way to stay close, then they could boost hp and say they we have more HP than brand X.

 

[rileyrs]

so your saying an electric fan would only help with city driving, where its more stop and go, and less wind?

makes sense i guess.

i didnt think enough air would blow all the way through the radiator to actually turn the fan faster that the motor is goin?

 

[Fox Fader]

It won't turn it faster, but it will take some drag off.

As far as city traffic goes, it'll only help if you have overheating problems.

If the engineers thought an e-fan would be better, they'd have 'em. At least I know they can get that right.

 

[robby001]

If that is true then why is that pretty much every NEW car in the world runs an electric fan besides a few models of BMW that run both or the US V8's and those are primarly the ones on trucks or suvs?.

 

[robby001]

Whoa on your earlier statement are you saying that the air coming in is actually helping turn the fan faster than the engine thus helping the engine in power? I really hope for the sake of sanity that you are not suggesting this

 

[BrianDye]

Yea, thats "malarkey" hah

 

[Fox Fader]

Whoa on your earlier statement are you saying that the air coming in is actually helping turn the fan faster than the engine thus helping the engine in power? I really hope for the sake of sanity that you are not suggesting this

Show me where I stated this.

Yea, thats "malarkey" hah

I'm not telling you not to do it. Do it if you wish, it won't bother me.

 

[ummduh]

I changed my Ranger to an electric fan and honestly saw an immediate 3mpg in the city. Without doing ANYTHING else.

Why don't I have one of my explorer?

I didn't trust it.. I was out wheelin one day and got out of the truck to go check something out.. For some reason the fan never kicked on and when I came back inside the gauge was pegged.

I bought a new shroud, clutch, and fan blade and put them back on after I got home..

If and when I can find or make an OEM style solution with OEM style reliability I will put one of the explorer. (the wife drives it)

anyways, remember the clutch is threaded on with LEFT HAND THREADS.

When you get it off inspect the water pump for play in all directions, usually when a fan clutch goes out it take the water pump with it.

Ford and everyone else, needs to meet the EPA requirements. If they could REALLY get 2mpg out of electric fans, every car and truck made would have electric fans. This goes deeper the it seems. Auto manufactures have to get a certain amout of mileage out of their trucks & cars to meet EPA standards. Electric fans would be a great way to stay close, then they could boost hp and say they we have more HP than brand X.

There's more to it than that. A good old mechanically driven fan will pretty much always out pull an electric fan. And they'll be more durable while they're cooling better. Especially in a truck, that is much more important than a couple mpg.

For proof read up on some of the diesel truck forums. When those fan clutches lock up they pull some SERIOUS air. I never saw any proper numbers but some tests have shown that they'll actually lose 5-10mph up a grade when they kick in. Think about how much power that is. Some have claimed up to 20HP or more. According to my information, a 20HP electric motor would require about 15,000 watts of power. Thinking in terms of amperage, thats over 1,000A at 14V!

Voltage (Volts): 14
Power (Watts): 15000
Current (Amps): 1071.42857143

So, you can plainly see why there are still mechanical fans out there..

 

[BrianDye]

Honestly to me, its more of a to-each-his-own type deal. Some people prefer an electric fan for the "2-3 mpg gain" which all might not get. some people want the trustworthiness and durability of an OEM fan. Some people just want to be more modern.


Its all up to you.
If I could, id get an electric fan. It seems like theres no downfall, and thats much saved space down there. Dont reply back defending your thoughts. I do not care. Thats how I think of it, you probably dont.



Just my $.02

 

[robby001]

Think about it, once the vehicle gets moving, the incoming air actually turns the fan and the fan turns the clutch (though the clutch is slipping some), then the clutch is turning which takes some of the load off the engine.

Sounds to me thats what you meant

And yes I did read your whole comment and still it baffles me in the least