Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) warmup times with no engine fan

[azcummins]

Has anyone seen any real benefits to removing their fan to help their warmup times? I can't plug in my truck where I live, and its constantly in the 0's-10's when I go to work in the am.

 

[moparguy]

It does help. Even with the fan clutch disengaged it's freewheeling and pulling cold air throught the radiator. I can't give any time to temp results, just a comment that it helps.



If it's below 40 or so, my truck can idle all day and not overheat when fanless. That was my original concern, like what about heat issues in traffic when you were moving at a crawl. My findings are it's not an issue.



If I fail to reinstall the fan quick enough in the spring/summer and need to dump some heat, turning the heater on hign and rolling the windows down brings temps down to a safe range.



My recommendation is do it, you'll wonder why it took so long.



The only fly in the ointment is if you work your truck, pull 10k or so, then I'd leave the fan on.



Good luck, RJR

 

[JKlopp]

DO NOT REMOVE YOUR FAN. At some point you will need it. Just block off the radiator intake with something or a zipper close cover like the big trucks.

 

[Ncostello]

I always removed my fan when the temps were to remain in the 20's or lower. I also ran winter fronts. Never had a problem. The temp would go up to 190 and remain as it should. The radiator has 5 gallons of coolant and normal unloaded driving won't affect it. If I were going on a long trip I'd just put the fan in the bed to take along just incase I needed it. Never did.



Even after driving for a couple hours fanless... the lower hose still never got real warm when it was down in the teens.



All you have to do is watch the gauge more often if your worried.

 

[Hohn]

DO NOT REMOVE YOUR FAN. At some point you will need it. Just block off the radiator intake with something or a zipper close cover like the big trucks.

On the contrary-- many here on TDR are running fanless for a good portion of the year. Many of us here in the colder parts of the US are running fanless as much as 10 months of the year.

There HAVE been times when I did need my fan, I suppose. Once I was going through REALLY deep snow up around 12K feet and the EGTs were hovering at 900 while I was only going about 5 mph. There wasn't enough air going across the radiator at that speed. The temp got up to about 225 or so and the "check gauges" light came on. I gave the engine a rest and let it idle. It cooled down and no problems.

Keep in mind this is kind of a worst-case scenario involving very high altitude, high EGT, and very slow speed. Even then it didn't boil over- just got hot. This is part of the reason I use a high-temp stable synthetic oil in the engine.

Bottom line on running fanless is you CAN do it, lots of people are. It seems the stick shift guys like me can get away with it a lot better because there's no added transmission heat in the coolant.

The flip side to running fanless is that it only helps a LITTLE with warmup times. The thermostat is closed when the engine's cold, so air moving across the radiator is not that big a deal-- there's no coolant circulating through the radiator.

The air that the fan circulates DOES take away some heat from the block and other underhood components, so that's why taking it off helps a little.

The best reasons to go fanless are not just better warmup, but warmer overall temp, no fan noise, and better mpg.

Justin

 

[JJW_ND]

Fanless Year round....

I am starting my second year with NO fan. Only put on around 20K miles this past year but did include a trip to AK in August fanless via BC Rockies. You have to pay attention more in the summer and you really have to watch your AC use when not moving. (AC by default runs in the winter ... BAD if not moving... . but can easily be disabled in 97 prior)



I have towed several times with no fan. In the first 200K miles I did lots of hotshot towing (flat lands in the midwest) I NEVER heard my clutch fan kick in, so I would not have expected the fan to be needed pulling either. Big city towning would be another story, but out in open country no issues.



Like some have said, you can drop the temps pretty fast by turning the heat to hot and fan to high. Wife wont like you when you do this on a warm summer day.



I am going to look into putting a single electric fan on to provide the little air movement I need for summer coolant temps and to help with AC use in the summer.



Regarding winter warmup time, you may not notice a dramatic decrease in warmup time but you will notice no drop in temps once warmed up.



jjw

ND

 

[justinp20012500]

I always have my truck plugged in and run a Lund Stainless winter front on it. I too have noticed that if it idles for more then ten minutes in really cold weather the coolant temp will drop.

I think I will go home and take my fan off???? It has been right around 15 to 20 degree lately.

 

[NHouse]

I run with mine off for about 9 months a year. I put mine on in the summer incase I get stuck in traffic or at the boat ramp for a while so I wouldn't have to shut the truck off all the time. I think the problem is idleing in the hot weather, when you are moving there is enough air to keep things cool.



Another thing is you will notice slightly better throttle response and a little better mpg too, maybe enough to offset the difference in winter fuel?



Try it, it only takes a few minutes to put it back on, you don't even need any tools, it will tighten itself.



Nick