Fan clutch question
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 6,185
Likes: 633
From: Houston/Sugar Land
Fan clutch question
I am getting a noise from the engine compartment when driving slow. Almost like a grinding noise. It doesn't happen until I have driven about 10 miles. I suspect the fan clutch the culprit. My motor just sat with the hood up for about two hours after a 35 mile drive. The fan came on immediately and stays on. Before I started it the fan blade would only spin about 6" by hand. After I started it and ran it for a few minutes and turned the truck off. The fan blade was easier to spin and moved about 18" when warm. My temp gauge reads normal on the N all the time. Any other way to check it or are they symptoms that say it is going South? Sandy
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
The fan clutch should spin freely when cold... sort of. It won't make a full revolution if you give it a flick but it should not take too much effort to move it. This means the fan slips and doesn't do much on a cold engine as it's not required. As the engine heats up the viscous fluid inside the clutch thickens which makes the fan work more and provide more cooling, so right after the engine is shut off after driving for a while the clutch should be noticably stiffer.
If your motor sounds like a lawnmower when driving away from a cold start the clutch has failed and should be replaced.
If your motor sounds like a lawnmower when driving away from a cold start the clutch has failed and should be replaced.
Thread Starter
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 6,185
Likes: 633
From: Houston/Sugar Land
The fan clutch should spin freely when cold... sort of. It won't make a full revolution if you give it a flick but it should not take too much effort to move it. This means the fan slips and doesn't do much on a cold engine as it's not required. As the engine heats up the viscous fluid inside the clutch thickens which makes the fan work more and provide more cooling, so right after the engine is shut off after driving for a while the clutch should be noticably stiffer.
If your motor sounds like a lawnmower when driving away from a cold start the clutch has failed and should be replaced.
If your motor sounds like a lawnmower when driving away from a cold start the clutch has failed and should be replaced.
Thread Starter
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 6,185
Likes: 633
From: Houston/Sugar Land
Sandy
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2016
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From: Houston/Sugar Land
Wish I could give you a hand. No pun intended. Sandy
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,716
Likes: 583
From: Chillicothe
Appreciate the offer but it's all good, as long as I keep it at 55 it doesnt get to crazy.
But, back to yours, that's how mine started. Some squeals and occasional grinding. Then it was full on engagement and let me tell you, if you think the 5.0 is sluggish in a truck wait till the fan is direct drive constantly.
In a stretch of road I could easily run up to 65 before, 45 is a struggle lol
But, back to yours, that's how mine started. Some squeals and occasional grinding. Then it was full on engagement and let me tell you, if you think the 5.0 is sluggish in a truck wait till the fan is direct drive constantly.
In a stretch of road I could easily run up to 65 before, 45 is a struggle lol
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Thread Starter
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 6,185
Likes: 633
From: Houston/Sugar Land
The fan clutch should spin freely when cold... sort of. It won't make a full revolution if you give it a flick but it should not take too much effort to move it. This means the fan slips and doesn't do much on a cold engine as it's not required. As the engine heats up the viscous fluid inside the clutch thickens which makes the fan work more and provide more cooling, so right after the engine is shut off after driving for a while the clutch should be noticably stiffer.
If your motor sounds like a lawnmower when driving away from a cold start the clutch has failed and should be replaced.
If your motor sounds like a lawnmower when driving away from a cold start the clutch has failed and should be replaced.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 633
Likes: 42
I would just replace it. It's not that expensive, and relatively easy. Best piece of advice I read on here was to use a piece of cardboard on the back side of the radiator to protect it from bumps while removing and installing the fan. I thought it was over kill but then I was glad I did it afterwards.
Cross-Country
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 99
Likes: 2
From: New Jersey/Delaware
And if you don't already have the wrench set to remove it I highly recommend renting the more expensive set from autozone. The cheaper one says it'll work but the wrench slips. Rent it for a little more money and save the headache. 
Cross-Country
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 99
Likes: 2
From: New Jersey/Delaware
