Electric cooling fan??
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
OK first of all, yes it is all legit. If you want I wouyld be happy to send you pictures and have other people contact you who have witnessed what the truck has pulled. Yes I am running stock injectors and stock turbo. ALL I WANT TO DO is get a little additional cooling. NO the engine DOES NOT run hot! I am just looking for a little extra insurance. Here in New England we have these things called mountains and I believe by adding an external electric cooling fan that i will turn manually when I am pulling heavy loads up these things called mountains, I would not have to relay on the clutch fan so much to cool the engine, trans, intercooler, etc... So by forcing some extra air into the radiator during these type of pulls on hot and humid days, I believe the engine and transmission will run a lottle cooler. Maybe not much cooler, maybe 10 deg., but maybe the engine and trans temp will be more steady. My trans now when climbinh the mountains, 8% grade for 5 plus miles at times, hovers around 200 deg. As for the engine temp, well I need to install a real temp gauge. But weven if I can loose 10 deg., every little bit helps. So from what i am seeing here, mostly no one ever thought of running an electric fan as supplemental cooling. I did not mean that in a bad way. Nothing gained if nothing is tried. If anyone has indees run an electric cooling fan as suppelmental cooling, I would very much like to hear from you and get your opinion. As for what type of truck I an using, well its a 2004 F-350 crew cab dually. One of the trailers it pulls is a 35' flatbed, triaxle, rated for 30,000 lbs gross. I do know one time i went over a truck scale right by my business location to get an accurate weight, and I was 34, 850 lbs GCVW. which is legal. The truck did not struggle any at all. And have done this more than once. As for writing the "book", it was a figure of speach!!! I see this was a big mistake to even ask this question. All I wanted was some positive feedback and Randy 777, Pete 6.0. Thank you for your input! As for what exactly I did to the truck, well it is a long list....
New User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
alternating clutch fan roar/shrill whistling whine
so I have a '04 F-350 XLT SRW, love the truck. when I am towing my 34' (7100 dry wt) trailer and the rpms reach 2100+ the clutch fan kicks in, then a loud whine/whistle builds in intensity until I either reach the top of the hill or I back off the throttle. Ford replaced the turbo thinking that would help, NADA. then came back with "use some belt dressing, the belts may be slipping because of the heat of the motor." So, I wonder if there is a way to get outside air into the engine compartment to cool the engine enough to keep the belts from slipping due to this heat soak. I was thinking electrics but the biggest system I can find is only pulling 5500 cfm with two large duals. there have been many posts through out the FTE that sound similar to my problem; has anyone come up with a work around to kill that sound? the in-cab noise level gets nearly unbearable for the Mrs. and the kids after a short time. There doesn't seem to be any noticeable performance loss/change when it is making the noise and so I am at a complete loss. thanks for any help or insight on this.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
If you want to get rid of the noise you need to change the pitch of the blades or maybe the rpms on the fan and you are going to get rid of the noise, but you are not going to have those CFM to cool your engine that fast...
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 410
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
Moving the amounts of air needed to cool these motors off quickly is going to make noise - at full lock up its a lot of noise. Its no different in large trucks and earth moving equipment. The obvious reason for this is so that you don't have an enormous radiator which wouldn't fit in the truck. The idea that electric fans are going to be better is nonsense - you still need the same volume of air and so it will be just as noisy, not to mention the massive electrical source it would require. The only real solution would be to run an additional radiator (this time with electric fans) somewhere else on the truck, such as behind the cab like the off road race trucks do. The cost of doing this would be questionable (it would however look pretty cool!!).
I personally don't think this cost would be justified because our trucks will pull alot of weight up steep hills in 110 degree temps just fine - IF you don't try doing it at 65 mph. Ive had to drop as low as 25 mph, but I made it up the hill and the truck didnt overheat. Did the fan scream all the way up the hill - it certainly did.
Ofcourse you could always go buy yourself a big rig, they cost about the same as our trucks and the misses and kids can crash out in the sleeper while you drive !!
I personally don't think this cost would be justified because our trucks will pull alot of weight up steep hills in 110 degree temps just fine - IF you don't try doing it at 65 mph. Ive had to drop as low as 25 mph, but I made it up the hill and the truck didnt overheat. Did the fan scream all the way up the hill - it certainly did.
Ofcourse you could always go buy yourself a big rig, they cost about the same as our trucks and the misses and kids can crash out in the sleeper while you drive !!
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 0
Hey if you want an electric fan than go for it!! We all know that heat is the number one enemy to most things mechanical!! Even if it only is able to lower your engine temps 5-10 degrees that's great!! Your engine will thank you in the long run!! I pull 11K pounds up 6% grades when the temps are 115 degrees here in Black Canyon City AZ and I would love to be able to turn on an electric fan, especially when that Semi truck pulls out in front of me and slows me to 25mph and I have to get out of the throttle and the fan slows down!! Having that constant air flow that isn't based on engine RPM's certainly can't hurt!! The only time I could see a problem is if the electric fan blocks some of the air flow to the intercooler and radiator! Otherwise for those in AZ and other very hot climates they seem like they would work great! I know here in AZ your A/C works better when your moving and air is flowing through the front of the truck. I am thinking now that I might just install one to keep the A/C colder while sitting in stop and go traffic when it 115 dgrees!! All my cars that I own with electrical fans blow just as cold A/C at idle as they do when moving at 60 mph!!
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Southeastern CT
Hello all.. I did install a dual electric fan kit a few weeks ago. I noticed a difference especially in get this, my EGT temperature. I installed the cooling fans on a manual switch insude the cab and only use it when I am towing. I kinda suspected that the additional fans may actually cool the charged air entering the engine since the fans are installed in front of the intercooler. I just got back from a 2700 mile trip with the truck pulling my 40' tri axle toy hauler. I put myself on a truck scale before I left (I have access to a truck scale within 1/4 mile from where I live and yes WE use it alot). I went over the scales with the toy hauler loaded for the trip and the truck with all of us in it. The truck and camper combo wieghed in at 24,220 lbs. Now the trip we ( my family) went on took us from Lisbon CT to Atlanta GA via routes I84, I81, I77 and I85. If anyone is familiar with these routes, there are alot of montains you have to climb thru. The worst one is on I77 in VA. The climb is 8 miles with a 11% grade. We did the climb at 60mph, truck down shifted to 5th, held 60mph with boost at 30psi, EGT's at 1100 to 1200 degrees (did not go over 1200 degs) clutch fan did kick in after a little bit though for additional cooling. Also on this trip, I got between 9 and 10 mpg. So in my opinion, the electric fans were well worth the investment and the time to install. I made this same exact trip 2 years ago and I had to keep backing off the throttle to keep EGT's below 1300 degrees. But as I said in an earlier thread, I also did alot of work the the engine. So in my opinion, the additional electric fans did provide an additional amount of cooling especially in regards the the charged air entering the engine. Again this is only MY OPINION. IF anyone else has anything to add please do. But I was VERY pleased with how the truck performed for the whole trip!!!
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 410
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
Hey if you want an electric fan than go for it!! We all know that heat is the number one enemy to most things mechanical!! Even if it only is able to lower your engine temps 5-10 degrees that's great!! Your engine will thank you in the long run!! I pull 11K pounds up 6% grades when the temps are 115 degrees here in Black Canyon City AZ and I would love to be able to turn on an electric fan, especially when that Semi truck pulls out in front of me and slows me to 25mph and I have to get out of the throttle and the fan slows down!! Having that constant air flow that isn't based on engine RPM's certainly can't hurt!! The only time I could see a problem is if the electric fan blocks some of the air flow to the intercooler and radiator! Otherwise for those in AZ and other very hot climates they seem like they would work great! I know here in AZ your A/C works better when your moving and air is flowing through the front of the truck. I am thinking now that I might just install one to keep the A/C colder while sitting in stop and go traffic when it 115 dgrees!! All my cars that I own with electrical fans blow just as cold A/C at idle as they do when moving at 60 mph!!
The engine fan on the 6.0 is not directly related to the engine RPM - it has a constantly variable clutch.
Dragging 11k up a 6% grade in 115 degrees at any more than 25 MPH will overheat the truck. If you don't have gauges then you don't necessarily know this.
I seriously doubt your A/C temp is any different.
Interesting that electric cooling fans are not used in mid to heavy duty applications?
Anyways, if you still want to fit one or two, let us know how it works.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,757
Likes: 5
From: Corvallis, OR
More air through the condenser will produce cooler A/C temps. An electric fan pulling air through the condenser will have a huge effect at lower speeds. I know my A/C isn't as cold driving around town as it is on the freeway.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Southeastern CT
oh forgot to say that when I was pulling the mountain on I77 in VA is was last thursday and it was 95 degrees outside. Also noticed that my AC worked very well while pulling with the electric fans on at all times.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 6,648
Likes: 1
From: CT
What fans did you put in ?
I also sent you a PM about the CT chapter of FTE.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Southeastern CT
I put in Dual 14" fans. I found them from a company that sels on Ebay. I paid around $125.00 for the dual fan kit with the relay. I did not use the temp probe cause I wanted them to come on manually.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Southeastern CT
m350 yeah literally.. You may heard of my company.. AC/DC Industrial Electric LLC. We do primarily generators and industrial controls. Too funny. We are about maybe 5 miles or so apart..
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,868
Likes: 9
From: Rhode Island
You can only cool the engine coolant temp down to the thermostat set temp.
The engine fan on the 6.0 is not directly related to the engine RPM - it has a constantly variable clutch.
Dragging 11k up a 6% grade in 115 degrees at any more than 25 MPH will overheat the truck. If you don't have gauges then you don't necessarily know this.
I seriously doubt your A/C temp is any different.
Interesting that electric cooling fans are not used in mid to heavy duty applications?
Anyways, if you still want to fit one or two, let us know how it works.
The engine fan on the 6.0 is not directly related to the engine RPM - it has a constantly variable clutch.
Dragging 11k up a 6% grade in 115 degrees at any more than 25 MPH will overheat the truck. If you don't have gauges then you don't necessarily know this.
I seriously doubt your A/C temp is any different.
Interesting that electric cooling fans are not used in mid to heavy duty applications?
Anyways, if you still want to fit one or two, let us know how it works.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 0
You can only cool the engine coolant temp down to the thermostat set temp.
The engine fan on the 6.0 is not directly related to the engine RPM - it has a constantly variable clutch.
Dragging 11k up a 6% grade in 115 degrees at any more than 25 MPH will overheat the truck. If you don't have gauges then you don't necessarily know this.
I seriously doubt your A/C temp is any different.
Interesting that electric cooling fans are not used in mid to heavy duty applications?
Anyways, if you still want to fit one or two, let us know how it works.
The engine fan on the 6.0 is not directly related to the engine RPM - it has a constantly variable clutch.
Dragging 11k up a 6% grade in 115 degrees at any more than 25 MPH will overheat the truck. If you don't have gauges then you don't necessarily know this.
I seriously doubt your A/C temp is any different.
Interesting that electric cooling fans are not used in mid to heavy duty applications?
Anyways, if you still want to fit one or two, let us know how it works.