2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Fan Running???

[R-N-R]

I almost hate to ask this but... .



How do you know if your fan is running?



Mine is always spinning (fast) including at startup, and I never "hear" it start up (including last summer), pulling 6500# or running empty.



Does the fan spin when the motor is running at low water temp and the truck parked? Perhaps it just has never "turned on", but I have a hard time believing that with last summers temps. I have not ever noticed my temp guage going over 190*.



Confused Newbie,

Bill

 

[jrollins]

well on my truck if the rpms are high I can hear the fan engage, it sounds like a F-16 is lifting off, other than listening for the fan noise I don’t know, I don’t think mine runs much in the winter but in the summer months in Texas I hear it often. I was having high coolant temps in my truck for a few months but it was a bad t-stat, I went with the 180 deg t-stat and the truck never gets to 190 marker on the temp gauge anymore.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Fan

Supposed to make a loud roar when it kicks in. I too have never heard mine kick in. It looks like it is on all the time to me. My fuel mileage is not good and am wondering if this could be a contributing factor. bg

 

[illflem]

Even towing heavy my fan has only kicked on a handful of times since '95.

F-16 is a great description, it also pulls 23 hp when locked up



You should be able to spin the fan with just a slight resistance (won't freewheel) with the engine cold and off. If it spins too easy or not at all something is wrong.

 

[R-N-R]

My fuel mileage is terrible as well, in fact new off the lot, I was getting 7-9 mpg (calculated) towing 6500#. Learning to drive a diesel verses a gas (steady foot, not flooring it without boost, etc... ) and speed control (lack thereof) contributing to the varience. The mileage "jumped" up to about 10 mpg last summer towing and a high of 17mpg unloaded after I reached about 5k miles on the truck. I now enjoy an average of 12 unloaded (winter fuel). My driving varies from alot of short 1. 5 mile trips daily to and from work to short under 100 miles) highway trips averaging 75 mph. I also have the 4. 10 gears "helping" me out. Sorry, I'll get down off that soapbox.



I was curious about the fan running what seems to be all the time contributing to my low mileage as well.

 

[R-N-R]

Thanks Bill, I'll check that out after work!

 

[bmoeller]

Replaced the thermal fan clutches on my Ford and my bosses Mack. When both went bad (would not engage, and ran hot), you never heard them. With new ones, when the engine was cold and just started to drive them you will hear them. Once they warm up a little, they shut off until needed.



Never heard the one on my Dodge, no overheating problems so I'll leave it alone for now.

 

[Deezul1]

Remove the fan completly and try it. I and many others take them off in the winter, that should tell you whats going on with the fan problems.

 

[RKohn]

Wanna hear it run?

Insert a pizza box (opened and emptied, little caesars large fits great) between the radiator and condenser, then cruise down the road at about 85. after 10-15 miles you'll hear a what sounds like a jet taking off. That's your fan. If the outside temp is below zero, it ain't gonna happen for a lot longer, maybe 40-50 miles.



Yeah, I forgot to take the box out this week after the weather warmed up.

 

[R-N-R]

well I can turn it by hand with a fair amount of resistance, definately won't spin though.



Looks like we are having pizza for dinner tonight



Removing it is next, definately won't need it for the next few months.