Removing the fan

[Jim Fulmer]

Well it's down in the single digits here and it's getting to be a pain to create heat, I plug it in(garage kept) and put card board in front and it still takes 10 miles at 70 to get the temp up to 160 range. Does taking the fan off help a bunch? Other than that it's great!



Jim

 

[Cooker]

Take it off!



You will really notice much faster warm ups with the fan removed.

 

[ChillyDog]

I just removed mine about 3 weeks ago and I think the truck warms up a little faster but not much IMO! The one thing I like is that the temps are much more stable and slightly higher without the fan on. Once warmed up it stays real steady between about 175-190 degrees, and seems to put out a lot more heat. I also have most of the radiator blocked off.

 

[B-52]

I ran for about 3 weeks with 2/3 of the rad. blocked by cardboard. Removed my fan and the cardboard last weekend as an experiment.



Partially blocking the rad. had much more benefit than removing the fan, as far as quicker warm-up and stable operating temp.



Thing is, once you run without the fan you'll hate ever having to put it back on. MUCH less noise and better performance without it! I like it so much the Horton electromag-fan almost doesn't seem so ridiculously overpriced now.....

 

[Dennis Garrett]

I took my fan off last year, but didn't notice any difference. I put it back on & coutinued using cardboard in front of the radiator. I usually cut out a hole in front of the fan clutch. If it's warm out, I like to leave the transmission cooler exposed so it can get cooling air too.

 

[HC]

Another consideration is the A/C. Without the fan, if you chose one of the settings (like defrost) that would normally fire the compressor, then you'll build really high pressures in the system without the fan as soon as you stop moving down the road. I know on some cars this causes instant freon loss; I don't know if our systems can adequately protect themselves or not. Fanless Folks, have you experienced any problems, or do you disable the A/C when running fanless? Or is this a non-issue?

I'm being conservative for now because I don't know for sure.

 

[Cooker]

I think most guys that are running fanless, myself included, disable the A/C clutch. Either pull the relay or perform the "fix" on Fritz's website.

 

[amsoilman]

I removed my fan several weeks ago, and I too am enjoying the benefits of quieter operation as well as heating up a bit quicker. What surprizes me is the fact that even in stop and go traffic, it doesn't overheat! It has never reached the 190 mark on the gauge yet!



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[rrausch]

Cooker, what is the "fix" on Fritz's website? Or can you give a link to the website? Thanks.

 

[Cooker]

Check it out here: http://dodgeram.org/tech/repair/HVAC/Defrost_AC.htm

 

[rrausch]

I've been wanting to kill the AC-on-defrost for years. THANKS!!!!!

 

[SmokinJoe]

Originally posted by Cooker

pull the relay

Are there instructions somewhere on how to do that?

 

[illflem]

Click here for how to disable AC in defrost

 

[DieselB59]

Removing the fan is okay for stock to very mild application. Beyond that, the engine will suffer from the thermal shock of a hot engine (Bombed). End result is what I get from some of my customers that happily help keep the economy going. "Why are there bubbles coming up into my coolant overflow jug after a full throttle run?" Head gasket baby. Don't play too much with the loud pedal and you'll get through the winter okay. Otherwise, plug it in. I am noticing that it costs me thirteen dollars a month to plug it in comparing the September electric bill to the November one. And, I, at times don't use the timer when it's a weekend and I might sleep late after posting all night.

 

[Cooker]

Chris maybe it doesn't get that cold in NJ



There are plenty of BOMBed TDR members that have had no ill effects running fanless.



The only thing I find that I need to be careful of is that I cannot let the truck idle for too long and run into the bank, ect...



I just ran 125 miles @75 MPH on a 45 degree day, temp never reached 190 (or even got close on the gauge) and engine oil never got over 200.



Just my $. 02,

Ryan

 

[DieselB59]

Well, what I consider cold is probably what you would call Autumn weather in your parts. I stand corrected. But I still feel funny about letting the thermostat be the end all, be all of the cooling system. U. S. Gear is gonna be introducing something in a couple months that will end the fan/fanless debate for good.

 

[Cooker]

Chris,

I am interested to see what US Gear has to offer



Like I said there are some times when one has to be careful while running fanless. I would really like a Horton now, and I am sure I'd like one even more after I have to put the fan back on come spring



Do you have the permission to elaborate on what US Gear will have for us?





-Ryan

 

[DieselB59]

All I could say is that it will be a single kit to satisfy everyone's needs and it will be at a very reasonable price and offer exceptional cooling along with a modest power increase. They offer a kit for the Powerstroke right now, and something for the Ram is in the works.

 

[jsimpson]

Twin thermostatically controlled Perma-Cool 14" electrics mounted side-by-side work great in my 89 since my fan bearing went south! Oil pressure at idle is up too!