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Fan Runs Too Much

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Old Feb 13, 2010 | 11:45 AM
  #1  
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Fan Runs Too Much

2002, F250, 7.3PSD, 100K miles The fan was cycling on/off all the time, sometimes for just a few seconds. Replaced the clutch unit and now it almost never shuts off. Never had this problem with any of my Powerstrokes. The temperature runs normal all the time. Anybody have an idea what is going on?
 
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Old Feb 13, 2010 | 01:38 PM
  #2  
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Below is a summary from the Ford Service Manual for testing the fan clutch...

...Fan Clutch Test—Maximum Speed Requirement...

1) Block off areas on each side of the radiator in the engine compartment and the front of the radiator grille. This will raise the temperature of the air striking the fan clutch and should cause the fan blade to operate at maximum speed.

2) Start the engine and run it at approximately 1,500 rpm until the normal operating temperature has been achieved.

3) Place the climate control function selector switch in the MAX A/C position and the blower motor switch in the HI position.

4) Adjust the strobe to 3,600 rpm for 7.3L diesel engines and adjust the engine speed until the strobe light flash and the water pump pulley mark are synchronized.

5) NOTE: The temperature of the air hitting the fan clutch should be above 96°C (205°F) for maximum fan speed.

6) If the fan blade speed is less than 2,850 rpm on 7.3L engines, install a new fan clutch...
 
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Old Feb 13, 2010 | 02:30 PM
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Originally Posted by PSDx3
2002, F250, 7.3PSD, 100K miles The fan was cycling on/off all the time, sometimes for just a few seconds. Replaced the clutch unit and now it almost never shuts off. Never had this problem with any of my Powerstrokes. The temperature runs normal all the time. Anybody have an idea what is going on?
I've only had mine a few months and it seems that mine never shuts off. Is this bad?
 
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Old Feb 13, 2010 | 02:33 PM
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schlepprock250
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I'm just shooting from the hip here,but could it be the A/C high pressure switch?I don't know if these are like big trucks but with a big truck when the A/C is on the fan stays on.
 
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Old Feb 13, 2010 | 02:43 PM
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On the 203 stat thread, one guy had pics of a lot of dirt and debris blocking up the flow of air through his condensor and radiator. Hard to see it unless you remove it. This may be causing your fan to run too much?
 
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Old Feb 13, 2010 | 03:03 PM
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Originally Posted by 64F260
On the 203 stat thread, one guy had pics of a lot of dirt and debris blocking up the flow of air through his condensor and radiator. Hard to see it unless you remove it. This may be causing your fan to run too much?
This sounds like something that I could have. The truck was absolutely filthy when I bought it. It wouldn't surprise me at all if this could be the reason. How would I go about cleaning it?
 
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Old Feb 13, 2010 | 03:10 PM
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Maybe you could use some hi-pressure water, but it might bend the fins if its too much. Best way might be to remove the radiator to get in there, not sure.
 
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Old Feb 13, 2010 | 03:13 PM
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Thanks, as soon as some of this snow clears out I will definitely take a look at it.
 
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Old Feb 13, 2010 | 06:15 PM
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With the engine off why not see if the fan spins freely. Mine would not so I bought a new clutch and gained an MPG or 2.
 
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Old Feb 14, 2010 | 09:31 AM
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I finally found the complete quote on this topic ...and in your situation it sounds like you'll feel a resistance that's too high when you turn the fan blade by hand!

Originally Posted by danskool
...This help? found this out of my Service Manual ...Fan Clutch Test

Spin the fan blade (8600) by hand. A light resistance should be felt. If there is no resistance or very high resistance, the minimum and maximum fan speeds must be checked as follows:

Fan Clutch Test—Minimum Speed Requirement
Use a suitable marker to mark the water pump pulley (8509), one of the fan blade retaining bolts and the crankshaft pulley (6312).
Connect a tachometer to the engine.
Install a throttle adjusting tool.
Connect the Digital Photoelectric Tachometer.
WARNING: To avoid the possibility of personal injury or damage to the vehicle, do not operate the engine until the fan blade has been first examined for possible cracks and separation.

Start the engine and run it at approximately 1,500 rpm until the normal operating temperature has been achieved.
Operate the strobe light at 4,320 rpm for 5.4L and 6.8L engines and 3600 rpm for 7.3L diesel engines, and aim it at the water pump pulley. Adjust the engine speed until the light flash and the water pump pulley mark are synchronized.
Aim the strobe light at the fan blade bolts. Adjust the strobe light until the light flash is synchronized with the marked fan blade bolt (the fan blade appears to stand still).
The fan blade speed must not be greater than 1,900 rpm on 5.4L engines and 2,000 rpm on 6.8L and 7.3L engines.
Turn the engine off.
If the fan blade speed was greater than 1,900 rpm (on 5.4L) (on diesel engines and 6.8L, 2,000 rpm), install a new fan clutch (8A616).

Fan Clutch Test—Maximum Speed Requirement
Perform Steps 1 through 5 of the Fan Clutch Test—Minimum Speed Requirement.
NOTE: The temperature of the air hitting the fan clutch should be above 96°C (205°F) for maximum fan speed.

Block off areas on each side of the radiator in the engine compartment and the front of the radiator grille (8200). This will raise the temperature of the air striking the fan clutch and should cause the fan blade to operate at maximum speed.
Place the climate control function selector switch in the MAX A/C position and the blower motor switch in the HI position.
Adjust the strobe to 4,320 rpm for 5.4L and 6.8L engines and 3,600 rpm for 7.3L diesel engines.
WARNING: To avoid the possibility of personal injury or damage to the vehicle, do not operate the engine until the fan blade has been first examined for possible cracks and separation.

Start the engine and adjust the engine speed until the strobe light flash and the water pump pulley mark are synchronized.
Aim the strobe light at the fan blade retaining bolts. Adjust the strobe light until the light flash is synchronized with the marked fan blade bolt (the fan blade appears to stand still).
If the fan blade speed is less than 3,600 rpm on 5.4L engines and 3,500 rpm on 6.8L engines, 2,850 rpm on 7.3L engines, install a new fan clutch.
 
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Old Feb 14, 2010 | 09:42 AM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by schlepprock250
I'm just shooting from the hip here,but could it be the A/C high pressure switch?I don't know if these are like big trucks but with a big truck when the A/C is on the fan stays on.
The full lock-up mode of the fan is activated by a "heat sensitive spring" in the fan clutch ...and it should only activate if the engine compartment temperature increases to 205*F ...so it's fairly easy to tell if the problem is due to a dirty radiator ...because a dirty radiator will typically only activate the clutch in the summer ...and then only when towing up a grade!
 
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Old Feb 14, 2010 | 09:54 AM
  #12  
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That's some great information. How bad is it to drive the truck with the fan always running? Will it hurt anything? Whats a new fan clutch usually cost?
 
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Old Feb 14, 2010 | 10:06 AM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by canister
That's some great information. How bad is it to drive the truck with the fan always running? Will it hurt anything? Whats a new fan clutch usually cost?
Ed has them for $342.06

www.partsguyed.com
 
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Old Feb 14, 2010 | 10:18 AM
  #14  
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Originally Posted by Kwikkordead
Ed has them for $342.06

www.partsguyed.com

Eds price is at the end..thats a good price...got mine at Napa..dont remember what i paid..

<TABLE class=tabletext border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width="100%" align=center><TBODY><TR><TD style="BORDER-TOP: #01367f 4px double" class=tabletext vAlign=top>Fan clutch, f350, 7.3l diesel
</TD><TD style="BORDER-TOP: #01367f 4px double" class=tabletext vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>99-03 </TD><TD style="BORDER-TOP: #01367f 4px double" class=tabletext vAlign=top align=right>$342.06</TD><TD style="BORDER-TOP: #01367f 4px double" class=tabletext vAlign=top align=right> </TD><TD style="BORDER-TOP: #01367f 4px double" class=tabletext vAlign=top align=right>$197.03 </TD></TR><TR><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #01367f 4px double" class=tabletext colSpan=5><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=tabletext></TD><TD class=tabletext noWrap> </TD><TD class=tabletext noWrap align=right> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext colSpan=5 align=middle><!-- CFX_IMAGE v. 1.1 Jukka Manner 1999 --> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
 
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Old Feb 14, 2010 | 10:38 AM
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Is it something that should be fixed immediately or is it OK to drive like this a little while?
 
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