Fanless in winter...pros and cons

[AKDrifter]

My concern here in Alaska is breaking in a new engine at sub-zero temps. Whats the word on going fanless to achieve a faster warm-up, and to maintain that temp once I start to boogie down the road? Would a Horton fan be turning on at 10 below under a light load? Why have the belt driven fan fight the grill cover to keep it warm?

------------------
2001 2500 4x4 HO 6 speed, 4. 10 LSD loaded enough.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Paul,

I have been running fanless for 2 months now. Its one of the best things I've done. Its warmer here than where you are too. If I leave the radiator uncovered, the operating temperature is exactly as with the stock fan. I don't tow or haul. Warmup times are cut in half, with the radiator blocked. Same time as with the fan, if its uncovered.

I have been keeping the radiator completely covered and found even in 40 degree weather, operating temperature can get up the 190 degrees only after 15 miles. Its tough to build heat into these engines unloaded with such a large cooling system.

Your 24 Valve truck may behave a little differently from a 12 valve. Keep this in mind.

I'd recommend pulling the fan and leave the radiator uncovered. If you find it is no different than with the fan, cover part of the radiator.

If you are going to do this, keep an eye on the temperature gauge. Disable the A/C compressor clutch. You should just be able to pull the relay in the PDC under the hood. I have found EGT's are no higher without the fan. Also the guys with the Auto trucks have found their transmission fluid is not much hotter than with the fan on.


See this thread for more good tech info on fanless operation: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/ubb//Forum1/HTML/002851.html

Let us know what you do and how its working out. #ad


------------------
Bill R
94 2500 SLT 4x4 5 Speed, 3. 54 LS, JRE 4" exhaust, Autometer Pyro, Boost & Water temp gauges, Bosch 215 HP injectors, Timing @ 14. 7º, JRE Stage III #4 plate 270/675, AFC spring kit, Scotty Air, Bully Dog Propane Injection, Roadmaster Active Suspension, Optima Red Tops, Geno's Exhaust Blanket, Espar Heater (won it!), Synthetic lubes throughout.



[This message has been edited by HEMI®Dart (edited 02-02-2001). ]

 

[AKDrifter]

Thanks for the feedback Bill. The thread on fanless rigs was just what I wanted to hear. I'll have it off as soon as get it off the barge. Any tips on removal?

------------------
2001 2500 4x4 HO 6 speed, 4. 10 LSD loaded enough.

 

[trucknut]

Removel of my fan was fairly simple on my 2001. 5. With your right hand hold a flat screw driver inbetween the small bolts holding the fan pulley on,(flat across the front of the pulley inbetween the pulley bolts). with your left hand holding the 7 1/6" wrench(on the fan nut)turn the nut clockwise. once off work the fan upwards just a little to the right of the fan pulley pushing the rad hose out of the way.
Don' leave home with out it. On the face of your clutchfan are the instructions which way you can lay your fan down. (front down
only) Or leave it standing upwright.
Enjoy watching your temp gauge for the next week or so.

 

[C Schomer]

I had an aluminum flexfan shell on a 327 one summer and I ran for a day without. Traffic lights were the only problem! Temp would go up but come back down as soon as I was up to about 40 again. It was wierd not having any fan noise! I was winding it up thru the gears way more than normal! Craig

[This message has been edited by C Schomer (edited 02-02-2001). ]

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Paul,

trucknut pretty much explanined it. If you can find a special thin wrench made for a clutch fan nut, It could make life eaiser.

I found a nice set at Sears. See the thread below for more info.

If you find that your fan nut won't loosen, see the thread below. Your truck is newer than mine so it shouldn't be as tight.

Tips for a tight Clutch Fan nut: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/ubb//Forum1/HTML/003078.html

Keep us posted on how the 24 Valver runs with no fan. #ad




[This message has been edited by HEMI®Dart (edited 02-02-2001). ]

 

[Whitmore]

Paul,
I have been running fanless now for 3 months , I have the lund cold front on,the truck warms up way faster and fuel economy increased 1. 5 mpg I drove all last week to work in solid fog and ran the defrost (this also runs the air cond)to keep the windshield clear. I had no over heating at all temp never got over 190,infact you can watch the thermostat open and temp goes down to 185, #ad
do it you will love it #ad
.
. kevin 2001 eth dee

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I have been fanless for 2 months.

Last weekend I was caught in some heavy Seattle traffic; slow going, long lights.
It was sunny and 50F. My radiator was 30% blocked.
Temp finally rose slighty above the normal 180-185, to 190F, but that was it.

The only time my temp rose was in 35F weather and radiator most of the way covered over, and my truck had idled over 20 minutes after it was fully warmed up.

Vaughn


------------------
'01 2500 QC Shortbed 2wd, 6-speed, 3. 54LSD, Cab & Fog lamps, Camper & Tow Pkg.
BOMBed: RV injectors, PS Boost module, Amsoil air filter, straightpiped exh. , SS fuel lines, AutoMeter Sport Comp gauges, Amber turn signals conversion

 

[AKDrifter]

Thanks for all the input guys, I'm sold. My lady is going to s**t when she sees me reaching for the wrenches the day that new truck arrives, gotta love it! I'll post my on thr road results after my trip to Whitehorse next week.

------------------
2001 2500 4x4 HO 6 speed, 4. 10 LSD loaded enough.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Drove around town today in 80° temps. Truck was unloaded. Radiator completely unblocked. Highest coolant temp I saw was about 160°-170°. In other words, no different than with the engine fan installed. Felt the temperature of the intake horn after a few hard runs. It was cool to the touch. The intercooler seems to be working OK, even without the fan. #ad


------------------
Bill R
94 2500 SLT 4x4 5 Speed, 3. 54 LS, JRE 4" exhaust, Autometer Pyro, Boost & Water temp gauges, Bosch 215 HP injectors, Timing @ 14. 7º, JRE Stage III #4 plate 270/675, AFC spring kit, Scotty Air, Bully Dog Propane Injection, Roadmaster Active Suspension, Optima Red Tops, Geno's Exhaust Blanket, Espar Heater (won it!), Synthetic lubes throughout.

Coming Spring of '01: DD III's, Majestic prepped HX-40, ATS Pulse Exhaust Manifold, High flow delivery valves, Gov spring kit.

[This message has been edited by HEMI®Dart (edited 04-22-2001). ]