Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) running fanless

[rrab1]

I'm thinking about running fanless and am looking for any impute pro or con When I get to work it may idle any where from 10 minutes to 40 minutes depending on what has to be done. Would this be bad for the transmission with no air being pulled through the radiatior. And what are your thoughts on a horton fan setup thank's Don

 

[Texas Diesel]

I wouldnt do that, there is not much to gain and lots to lose. If you dont want a $700 horton then get a dual fan with adjustable thermostat from Permacool, dont know if they have enough CFM but would be better than nothing.



http://www.perma-cool.com/Catalog/Cat_page18-1.html

 

[Motorhead]

I wouldn't let idle for a prolonged time... over 5-6 min.

 

[Deezul1]

I run fanless all winter but dont do prolonged idle, the only difference I can see is quicker warmups

 

[JJW_ND]

Depends on how cold it is!

I could have let me truck idle for the last week with no overheat problems ... fanless.



But I have disabled the AC compressor from coming on with Defrost and I have no AT trans.



Once above 60 degrees out and with a full warm engine. I have idled for more then 10 minutes and see temps climb to 190 (need a big load and WOT to get this with a fan).



I put my fan on once I need the AC... . about June. Soon as things cool off so does the fan ... about September. I have pulled single stock trailers for several hundered miles in temps to 70+ with no problems.



jjw

ND

 

[illflem]

I've got jjw beat, my fan went back on last summer in July after being off since the previous Sept. Even then I probably only needed for about two weeks - cool summer.

I've never seen AT or coolant temps go much beyond normal even after a long haul and coming to stop at an idle but the intake temp will rise higher than I'd like to see when not moving.

I don't practice extended idles but do so to avoid other problems other than no fan.

Biggest problem I have running fanless is putting it back on, you never realize how noisy it is even when not locked up until you take it off.

If you do a search for fanless you will get much info, most of it positive.

 

[jerrethomas]

Re: Depends on how cold it is!

Originally posted by JJW-ND

But I have disabled the AC compressor from coming on with Defrost and I have no AT trans.



ND

u shouldn't disable the a/c like that. the defrost is hooked into the comprssor so that in the winter when u use defrost, it runs the a/c compressor to lube the seals in it so it doesn't develop a leak when u use it in the summer. just a thought!

 

[illflem]

Not sure about jjw but my A/C is disabled per these simple instructions

http://dodgeram.org/tech/repair/HVAC/Defrost_AC.htm so I can use the A/C as long as I'm moving. Don't really need the A/C to dry the defrost air when it's below freezing as the air is already very dry.

 

[JJW_ND]

Ditto on the AC disable.

Pre98 cabs (I think thats correct) had fan speeds for AC and fan speeds for no AC.



The link Bill posted is a great mod even if you never take your fan off.



I really helps get warm air on those cold mornings with out the AC cooling and drying out the already nosebleed humidity level.



jjw

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I used to remove my fan but after getting it warm going up hills on mild winter days. It does OK as long as it stays below 60 but it often gets higher than that in the winter.



Maybe the 12 valvers can run in warmer weather without a fan but if it gets very warm and I can't keep moving or have a load it will certainly overheat.



Vaughn

 

[bmoeller]

Re: Ditto on the AC disable.

Originally posted by JJW-ND

Pre98 cabs (I think thats correct) had fan speeds for AC and fan speeds for no AC.

Yep.

 

[Todd T]

i have run fanless all winter in three trucks (two auto, one man. ) and never had an overheat.



one thing to keep in mind id these things have a huge radiator. they cool off quik once you start moving.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

I run fanless w/ 80% of the radiator blocked. Has never overheated. I have had to turn my heat on high once or twice during bumper-to-bumper traffic. Took 30 minutes in that to get to 190º.



This is my 4th or 5th winter fanless. Hands down of the best mods I have ever done.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Still Fanless here........

Drove from work to home last Thursday about 8 miles. It's a highway/City mix. 83º outside temperature. Engine temp never got about 160º-170º. In other words no different than it the outside temp was 40º.