Cooling Fan
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 84
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Cooling Fan
I have a 97EB with a 5.0 engine. I'm trying to figure out if my cooling fan with clutch is working properly. I know that generally, the hotter the air it is moving the faster it will go. What I'm trying to find out is is there a way to determine if it is still good or has gone bad. I know that there is a 'roaring' that can be heard at startup but I haven't noticed any change in sound between startup and after a few minutes of driving. Of course, it is winter here and I don't have the windows down at all. Is this something that I should be able to detect with windows down?
Or would it be possible to see a difference in spinning the fan blade prior to start up and again after driving for a while?
Or would it be possible to see a difference in spinning the fan blade prior to start up and again after driving for a while?
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 805
Likes: 0
From: Pauline, South Carolina
Few things you can do. With the engine off, spin the fan with your fingers. If it spins easily the clutch is way beyond gone. If that's ok, you can start the engine, let it warm up, and then using a rolled up newspaper, contact the fan with the newspaper (Never touch a spinning fan with any fingers or other body parts, and always use extreme caution around spinning belts). If the fan stops, the clutch is bad.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 805
Likes: 0
From: Pauline, South Carolina
Yes, the hot fan should be harder to turn. However, if it's really cold (around freezing or lower) it will be hard to turn also. That's why you'll hear a roar when first starting an engine in cold weather.
