Funny noise with engine fan.

[Gonzo 1066]

So, The truck runs awesome, does everything I want it to. On this last trip to Utah there is a squeeling noise when the fan clutch engages. Of course it lasts till the fan shuts off. With the engine shut off the fan rotates normally on the hub, there is no wobble to it. I replaced the accessory drive belt a few months ago. . Any insite into this problem. . Could the fan clutch make all this noise and still operate somewhat normally?? What gets replaced first?

 

[JR]

Are you totally sure its the fan? Could be idler, tensioner, etc? The only problem i ever had with a fan when the clutch went it locked up. It was very hard to spin when the engine was off.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

Are you totally sure its the fan? Could be idler, tensioner, etc? The only problem i ever had with a fan when the clutch went it locked up. It was very hard to spin when the engine was off.

The noise goes away when the fan disengages. At a idle and when the fan is disengaged everything seems normal. . Although I suppose that the extra load on the idler pulley could cause it to squeek. . It is over 130,000 miles, I suppose that replacing the idler and water pump should be done.

 

[JR]

Sounds like your probably right then, just trying to elimiate the quicker wearing components first. I havent had but one experience with a bad fan, they normally last a long time. Not sure where to point you, have you checked genos they probably have replacements. On a side note, about the tensioner pulley, my experiences typically have been the bearing in the pulley goes dry causing them to squeak. If thats the case, i pull the tensioner off the vehicle, remove the pulley, and using a pick i pop off the dust seals on both sides of the bearing. I pack a little grease on both sides, and reassemble. if you catch it im time before the bearing goes bad, you can typically get a lot more use ot of em. i actually just changed the belt on the wifes mustang and greased thepulley on hers as a precaution .

 

[Gonzo 1066]

Thanks for the advise. . I am ordering a fan hub bearing fron Geno, and a new tensioner. . Just to make sure, I have a long trip to Nevada and California coming up, dont want any on the road failures. .

 

[Hoefler]

The tensioner could be weak or you have the wrong belt ( too long ). With that many miles on the tensioner, I would replace it. If either one is the culprit, the added load of the engaged fan would cause belt slippage, then go away when diengaged.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

Good point. The new seemed to tension normally, however I may have been wrong. Will see when I pull that first hard grade going to Reno. .

 

[mwilson]

So, The truck runs awesome, does everything I want it to. On this last trip to Utah there is a squeeling noise when the fan clutch engages. Of course it lasts till the fan shuts off. With the engine shut off the fan rotates normally on the hub, there is no wobble to it. I replaced the accessory drive belt a few months ago. . Any insite into this problem. . Could the fan clutch make all this noise and still operate somewhat normally?? What gets replaced first?

Did it squeal before the belt change a few months ago or after???



If after then perhaps a mis-marked belt (happens more often than you think) or you might have the belt incorrectly routed.



Mike.

 

[Tumbleweed]

The tensioner could be weak or you have the wrong belt ( too long ). With that many miles on the tensioner, I would replace it. If either one is the culprit, the added load of the engaged fan would cause belt slippage, then go away when diengaged.

Speaking of tensioners , i have been looking for one with a steel pulley instead of the plastic looking material as this will be my third tensioner. The belt wears material off the plastic-like pulley and deposits it on the water pump pulley. Checked yesterday and now i see little lumps of this material building up on the tensioner pulley itself. Other than the poor material on the pulley portion, the tensioner part worked fine. This build up is taking a toll on the belt, the smooth side, of course thats the side that contacts the tensioner pulley. Not trying to take this thread off course, but thought it might be relevant. 2004 3500 ED PS Seems there are none out there with with steel pulley.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

Speaking of tensioners , i have been looking for one with a steel pulley instead of the plastic looking material as this will be my third tensioner. The belt wears material off the plastic-like pulley and deposits it on the water pump pulley. Checked yesterday and now i see little lumps of this material building up on the tensioner pulley itself. Other than the poor material on the pulley portion, the tensioner part worked fine. This build up is taking a toll on the belt, the smooth side, of course thats the side that contacts the tensioner pulley. Not trying to take this thread off course, but thought it might be relevant. 2004 3500 ED PS Seems there are none out there with with steel pulley.

I am replacing the plastic pulley tensioner with a Gates aftermarket tensioner. The Gates has a steel pulley.

 

[Tumbleweed]

I am replacing the plastic pulley tensioner with a Gates aftermarket tensioner. The Gates has a steel pulley.

Yes, you are right about Gates having a steel pulley, found that out by going to a different Napa Store a couple of hours after my last post. The previous Napa store i was at the other day, the employee told me he thought the Gates pulley was also a plastic-like material. I just happened to go to this particular store for something else and thought i should inquire about it again. It is made in Korea but looks as robust as the Cummins tensioner made by Dayco. Brought one home late afternoon, it's already on the truck, we will see how this one does.

2004... ... 3500... ... ... ..... ED

 

[boonhauler]

Is there any updates for this thread?? I'm having the same issue with the squealing noise when the fan engages ...... is there any one that could help?? ... I'm on the road and would like to get this issue resolved ASAP....

Thanks guys, much appreciated!

 

[Missouri Mule]

I never had the fan clutch squeal. My original one went over 200,000 miles it engaged my engine was roaring when I got to my business turned of engine and open hood. The fan wouldn't budge. Mechanic put cheap one on that piece of junk did not last long. I believe he ordered one Dodge it was a Cummins. It's probably your belt. I needed a belt and my Mechanic sent me a parts store to get a Gates green one. The lady behind said they did not have one so i bought a Gates black one. About six months later it was getting serviced and when i went to pick up my Mechanics Mechanic said I should get another belt. So I orders one the Gates green one from Genos. It's still on and looks like it last quite a few more years (I just got another from Genos just in case it doesn't)

 

[Missouri Mule]

I never had the fan clutch squeal. My original one went over 200,000 miles it engaged my engine was roaring when I got to my business turned of engine and open hood. The fan wouldn't budge. Mechanic put cheap one on that piece of junk did not last long. I believe he ordered one from Dodge it was a Cummins. It's probably your belt. I needed a belt and my Mechanic sent me a parts store to get a Gates green one. The lady behind the counter said they did not have one so I bought a Gates black one. About six months later it was getting serviced and when I went to pick up my Mechanics Mechanic said I should get another belt. So I order one of the Gates green one from Genos. It's still on and looks like it last quite a few more years (I just got another from Genos just in case it doesn't).

 

[Missouri Mule]

I never had the fan clutch squeal. My original one went over 200,000 miles it engaged my engine was roaring when I got to my business turned of engine and open hood. The fan wouldn't budge. Mechanic put cheap one on that piece of junk did not last long. I believe he ordered one from Dodge it was a Cummins(third one). It's probably your belt. I needed a belt and my Mechanic sent me a parts store to get a Gates green one. The lady behind the counter said they did not have one so I bought a Gates black one. About six months later it was getting serviced and when I went to pick up my Mechanics Mechanic said I should get another belt(it was squealing). So I order one of the Gates green one from Genos. It's still on and looks like it last quite a few more years (I just got another from Genos just in case it doesn't).

 

[boonhauler]

Hey Guys, just wanted to follow up on my issues.

As it turned out I noticed there was a little coolant leaking from the water pump. Had the system pressure tested and found the water pump (Gates from Geno's 30k miles ago) and the upper hose were both leaking. Had the water pump replaced with the OEM Cummins pump as well as the Serpentine Belt. The belt that was squealing was a Gates HD (green one).