Fan Clutch FIASCO!!! - Dealer still can't figure out why fan clutches are failing!

[GeoffParker]

My fan clutch was bad from day one starting at 34 miles on the odometer... ... I picked the truck up in Kentucky and had flown in from Oregon with a tight schedule to get back in 4 days so I had no time to have the clutch replaced at the dealer I bought it from... ... . It started as an oscillating howling sound which finally went away and was replaced by what sounds like bad bearings... ... . When I opened the hood at night and the under hood light was shining the fan did appear to be out of balance... ... . Being a plastic injected part it wouldn't surprise me if the fan were out of balance... ... Truck is scheduled for repair next week... ... I'll make sure to mention the fan in addition to the clutch when I take it in.

 

[JayWm]

I'm thinking that with this much documentation that one of these dealers outta be getting DC involved. Bottom line, this started under warranty, and has yet to be resolved, as such, DC has no basis no tell you that you're on your own if/when the next one fails... . lemon law time??? I hate to see you give up an 03, but dang man, that thing is a fan eatin machine. When I saw this thread started, I thought, "oh good god, not again" I feel bad for ya man

 

[WMcGuire]

adding to that, if the clutch is electric controlled, you may have a intermittant problem that don't appear on the shop diagnostics, a bad ground or a loose connection somewhere, if the problem suddenly appeared after you had a lot of miles on it I doubt it is a balance problem. , , no thanks neccessary, send cash.

 

[mysteryman]

solution

This could only be a few things assuming that you are the only one having the problem... . 1) replace the fan !!!! It is balanced both up and down and side to side directions... The up and down direction is normally very obvious... The whole engine will shake like hell... . The side to side is not quite as noticable!!

It is the kiss of death to fan clutches however... . 2) The hub/shaft that the clutch is turned on a lathe during manufacture..... if the threaded snout that the clutch is threaded onto is not on the same center line as the shaft part of it that goes threw the bearing it will give you a kind of short throw crankshaft effect... This will also kill the clutch... . With as many clutches as you have lost I would raise hell with the regional rep from chrysler for your home area.....

I would insist that they replace the hub/shaft and the fan at their cost... . If you raise enough hell they will most likely give in. You may also want to file a complaint with you local governments consumer affairs as well... As last resort sue chrysler in small claims court in your local area... Don't forget to count your down time as lost wages... I assume from all the traveling you do you are using the truck for biz... Good luck...

Today I called 9 specialty shops all over America. Piers Harry, Huckstorf, Liberator, Jannetty Racing, Scheid Diesel (all three locations), JH Performance and Wentland Diesel. Everyone I called was very courteous and cool, but no one was able to offer much help. I guess I will have to throw parts at this thing and hope for the best. Everyone I talked with said pretty much the same thing, "never heard of such a problem, is it a mopar part?, are your fins clean on AC, Radiator and Intercooler?, coolant good?, is it getting the correct Fan Pulse Width Modulation?, etc. , etc.



Yes, Yes, Yes & Yes.



In the absence of any real trail to follow, I suppose I will have the blades replaced and the hub too, along of course with the new fan clutch.



When this doesn't work, what then?