Is there a way to check if the fan clutch is engaging? I think my fan clutch may not be. When hauling a light load up a mountain pass the temp gauge will climb to between the M and A in NORMAL. I have brought the truck up to normal operating temperature, shut off, and then checked the fan rotation. The fan will turn with little resistance. Is this normal? Should'nt there be some resistance when the engine is warm? How do I confirm the fan clutch is engaging?

 

When it engages, you will clearly hear it! Sounds like an air plane taking off in front of you!


It should have rather alot of resistance cold or hot (if I go by my new one, that's what it is)



Heres the sound difference engaged and disengaged.

YouTube - What a Fully Locked in Fan Clutch Should Sound Like

 

Mine sure does not sound like that. I guess a new fan clutch is order. Thanks

 

Not to say it isn't bad but do t put too much faith in these stock temp gauges. How old and in what condition is the radiator? If out temp gauges are the same, the M on normal is 230. I installed a mech gauge which helps a lot. Now that I have a new rad, I cant get it to pass the N. Before you start replacing unnecessary parts, give a diagnostic to all.

 

post #10 has the fan clutch hub test procedure.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...ml#post7461511

 

drive it high speed for a couple minutes let the ram air get goin real good, pull over immediately pop your hood and see if its just spinning freely.... and at start up and idle and lower speeds it should probably be spinning fully. grab it with your hands if it is wobbaly then its bad. you should NOT be able to turn it with your hands at all.

edit: i have never heard my fan clutch operating...maybe I just cant tell the difference? the engine noise alone is much louder and enough to **** alot of people off... mine does all the time.. especially sonic drive-thru LOL.

 

I just printed off the fan clutch test instructions, I'll test after work this week. This test proceedure is just what I was looking for. I don't want to be replacing parts that don't need replacing. Either the fan clutch is bad or like Wreckinball said it could be the radiator. The temp gauge is accurate, this increase in temp is a new development. I will keep everyone posted on the outcome.

 

i had my truck in the middle of summer for 5 months before my clutch fan even came on, and that wasnt til i was pulling 12k up a 6% grade. even with my a/c on it never kicked on til then. and since its only come on one other time. they usually run pretty damn cool

 

i have never heard the fan clutch lock in my 88. and i have had it for 23 years and close to 500,000 miles now.

 

Mine will lock and unlock from time to time. Especially in summer with a/c on and at the it's just when i take off from a stoplight and it unlocks soon after take off.

 

well if your radiator is good i would check the thermostat i had that problem and that also helped with my heating system so what do i know i am just tryin to help people with what has happened to me so there you go. i need help with some break problems if you have any imput

 

my fan barely ever turns on, i wonder whats that noise when it does kick in

 

don't worry about much until you get a mechanical temp gauge installed. mine read high for about a week and when i got worried i was told to replace the stock gauge with mechanical first because the stocks are COMPLETE CRAP. and what do ya know it never gets above 210 unloaded and regularly stays near 195-200 in warm weather.

 

Sorry it took so long to get back. I just checked the fan clutch using this proceedure, and the clutch would seem to be working as it should. I guess it's a trip to get the radiator rodded. Thanks to all.

 

might want to try a thermostat first. that was my problem. only overheated under heavy loads pulling steep grades. the thermostat remained partially closed allowing the coolant in the radiator to remain cool enough to keep the fan from locking up and not let the hot coolant circulate out of the block quick enough. make sure you use the correct thermostat from Ford or IH, don't get one from an auto parts store.