Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Radiator Fan ??

[Behr]

Anyone have any idea why the radiator fan seems to be engaged when the engine is not hot.



I can start the truck up in the morning (50F) let it warm up for 5 min or so... then drive off. What I am hearing for about the next 5 min is the roar of this fan...



I thought this fan was only to be engaged when the coolant reached a certain temp... . ?



Any suggestions will be welcomed... ...

 

[TowPro]

My 98 used to do this, until you raised the RPM to around 2500 or so and it would stop. I think the oil in the viscus fan clutch needs to get moving around so it can unlock.



Not sure if the 02 does it or not, I haven't driven it much yet.

Originally posted by Behr

Anyone have any idea why the radiator fan seems to be engaged when the engine is not hot.



I can start the truck up in the morning (50F) let it warm up for 5 min or so... then drive off. What I am hearing for about the next 5 min is the roar of this fan...



I thought this fan was only to be engaged when the coolant reached a certain temp... . ?



Any suggestions will be welcomed... ...

 

[bmoeller]

It's normal. Probably the oil in the clutch just needs to warm up a little. If it quits doing it cold, then it is on the way out. The fan on my Dodge isn't near as loud as the one on my Ford.

 

[Turbo Horseman]

The first time I heard my fan I thought something had come loose, what a roar. I was pulling up hill into the mountains with a camper and four horses in the bumper pull.



Never had the fan engage at cold, l mean cold (minus 30 or 40) at start up. Course maybe I don't hear it because of all the noise from my teeth chattering.

 

[TowPro]

Just for you I checked my 02 last night. I started it up (70 deg outside) and moved it down the driveway so I could put the rear up on blocks (to make the pickup camper level so I could start the refrig tonight). I walked around the front of the truck and it sounded like an airplane. The fan was in "full hooked up" mode. But as soon as I start down the road it will "un-hook" when the RPM's come up.



Now this truck only has 4500 miles on it, so I think the fan should not be broke yet.

 

[Behr]

Hey..... just want to thank you guys for your posts on this topic.



I just was not sure if it was acting up or not... . but I guess its behaving the way it should.





Gordon

 

[JHerrlich]

I've had mine for over 50,000 miles and mine still does it when it's cold in the morning. I think the resistance of the fan on the cold viscous clutch when it's "unlocked" heats it up quickly and it unlocks itself.

 

[MPatrick]

Fan

Mine has done that from day one. I had it checked by the dealer. The Service manager said it checked out OK on the computer. I have almost 50 k on it and I tow about 7. 5 k. Mine will turn on every morning for a few minutes. When I tow, it will turn on when I start from a stop. Your's sounds normal to me.

 

[JCyrbok]

another fan question

My fan spins all the time. Most of the time i think that it is just "freewheeling" as it does not seem to be turning as fast as the idle speed. My belt does not chirp in the winter, but the fan freewheels like mentioned above. In the summer my belt chirps when i shut down but I really cant tell or remember any difference in noise from the fan when it is locked up. Is this what you guys are talking about? or is this norrmal ( or normal for my truck atleast LOL).



Is there a way to tell if the clutch is locked. I can spin the fan ( engine off of course) and it spins, with just a little resistance to it.



Thanks

J-