I can't figure this one out yet?
every time I start the car, the engine sound very loud, when I said loud I mean
a supercharge v8 wooooooooaaaaaaooooooooouummmm boxy sound it last a few seconds maybe up to a minute and slowly goes away, it's not the fan!
I installed a new one not too long ago, but that is what is sounds like, a frozen fan clutch, and it has nothing to do with rpms, when engine is already warm I can take the truck to high rpms, and does not make that loud noise.
It only happens when starting in the morning cold or when leaving the truck parked for a few hours?
Are these 2000 Rangers 3.0 L loud when warming up?

 

You put on a new fan and clutch? Or just a new fan? Sounds like cold fluid in the clutch just keeping the fan engaged for a few seconds while it warms up.

 

NO,NO! a new clutch, I reused the same plastic blades.
What do you mean with fluid?
Is any fluid inside the clutch? I got mine from Napa auto parts but doesn't say anything about a cooling fluid? Please explain me more and what the fluid or no fluid had to do with the fan clutch to be loud?
You know it makes a lot of sense what you're saying cuz it sound like the fan clutch is locked and then looses up, so is it normal or I got a cheap clutch fan?

 

The clutch is viscious...full of fluid. The fluid is typically cold when the engine is first started, and therefore basically engages the fan for a few seconds until the fluid becomes thin from warming up and allows the fan to spin freely. As the engine gets warmer, the fan warms up and the clutch engages more and more to keep the engine cool. The fluid inside the clutch doesn't require changing or maintenance.

 

Also some fans clutches are designed to freewheel above 3000 RPM to reduce HP absorbtion and save fuel.

 

You have a bad fan clutch. Replace it and the noise will go away.

 

Where's the fluid???? I only saw a bearing and a bearing seal?
and I don't hear any liquid movement in the clutch, and what happen in ice frozen winters with these fan clutches, do they run engage for an hour or so?
Is there anyway to test the clutch when cold or after warming up?
does spinning the fan blades by hand when cold or warm can tell me anything?

 

You can't see it...it's all inside the clutch. It functions sorta like a torque converter.

I agree that you probably have a bad clutch if it's that noticeable.

 

Great...I have the same engine and same year and the same noise. I purchased the truck with this sound and have put about 25k on it so far. Any other signs required to diagnose this as a fan clutch or is this definately it?

 

Go outside with the truck cold and not having run for a while. Spin the fan with your finger. It should freely spin. Start truck and either let it idle or drive it around 'til it warms up. Kill it, pop hood, try and spin fan with finger. It should take a good bit more force to spin it. If it does, you have a good fan clutch.

 

Thanks for the fast reply. I'll try this tomorrow before I go to work. Right now I'm too comfy to go outside in the rain

 

I'll do that too, but when you said "spin the fan with your finger.It should freely spin, you meant somehow freely not to keep spinning over and over,
the clutch should stop quickly otherwise is not good if it keeps turning over more than once?

 

Yes sorry I wasn't clear. It should rotate with little resistance when the engine is cold. If you push it with your finger, it should rotate just a little bit then stop, not freewheel.

 

Right again Rp!!

Did the test, Engine cold is harder to turn, after a few seconds of warming up it spins easier! So I guess that's the way it is for the 1998-2000 rangers 3.0L?
Are these oil cool clutches better than regular ones?
I guess my 94 2.3L has the non fluid one cuz it's quieter when cold?

 

Check for proper fan clutch operation. First, run the engine until operating temperature is reached. Next, with the engine off, give the fan blade a gentle spin. If it rotates more than twice, the clutch is worn and needs replacing. If fan rotation is rough or noisy, or the fan fails to turn, the unit is worn out and needs replacement. (Info from flowkooler.com)

Basically what RangerPilot said