Fan Clutch problem - please help!!!
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Postmaster
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,028
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From: Annapolis, Maryland
Fan Clutch problem - please help!!!
I posted a while back, complaining about metallic scratching noises coming from my fan clutch when it's cold out. But I also noticed something else - my fan is spinning ALL THE TIME. Example: it was 22o out yesterday, with some light snow. I turned the motor on, and the fan is just flailing away. My Expedition takes some 20-30 minutes to get up to operating temperature. It has done this since I bought it (a little over a year ago), but I just figured it was the nature of the beast. Has my fan clutch permanently locked up, making the fan spin regardless of temperature? Thanks for any help!
XXL
XXL
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,859
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From: USA
Fan Clutch problem - please help!!!
Matt,
I don't remember what engine you had in that other post.
But with the engine shut off can you grab the fan
and spin it freely ? or is it tight? should be able to spin it freely with a little drag. if not change it
Also there is a test for the fan clutch ,but a strobe light that is adjustable is needed because you have to be able to adjust the strobe light's speed.Dealers have these type strobe lights.
If you need the procedure on the test let me know!
Rich
I don't remember what engine you had in that other post.
But with the engine shut off can you grab the fan
and spin it freely ? or is it tight? should be able to spin it freely with a little drag. if not change it
Also there is a test for the fan clutch ,but a strobe light that is adjustable is needed because you have to be able to adjust the strobe light's speed.Dealers have these type strobe lights.
If you need the procedure on the test let me know!
Rich
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,859
Likes: 7
From: USA
Fan Clutch problem - please help!!!
With temps being so cold it may have some sluggish feel to it ,but not so hard you can't move it.It definitly shouldn't feel like metal dragging .
also see if you can make it wobble or wiggle ,like the bearings are bad.
let us know
Rich
also see if you can make it wobble or wiggle ,like the bearings are bad.
let us know
Rich
Thread Starter
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Postmaster
Joined: May 2002
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From: Annapolis, Maryland
Fan Clutch problem - please help!!!
Allright - I went out there, and turned the fan. It turns, but feels "dampened" or "sluggish" as you said. There's no wiggle. When I go to spin the fan, it stops - I can move it fairly easily by hand, but it won't just spin on its own (like the wheel of fortune). I'm stumped.
XXL
XXL
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,859
Likes: 7
From: USA
Fan Clutch problem - please help!!!
Matt ,I would say its okay then !
I think we need to consider something else is making the noise .belt tensioner ,altenator ,pw
steering pump.
Oh! make sure the fan blades themselves don't have cracks in the plastic anywhere ,that could be flexing and making this noise.
Never get stumped ! thats too easy ,I like challenges just takes patience and persistance!
Rich
I think we need to consider something else is making the noise .belt tensioner ,altenator ,pw
steering pump.
Oh! make sure the fan blades themselves don't have cracks in the plastic anywhere ,that could be flexing and making this noise.
Never get stumped ! thats too easy ,I like challenges just takes patience and persistance!
Rich
Thread Starter
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Postmaster
Joined: May 2002
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From: Annapolis, Maryland
Fan Clutch problem - please help!!!
Here's where it gets interesting - I took a length of hose and poked around. I'll say that I'm 97% sure the noises are coming from the fan clutch. It's an intermittent scraping sound. I think it's maybe just the fluid inside the clutch not lubricating as well as it should because of the temperature. Didn't poke around too much; it's pretty damn cold out - especially with the fan blowing wind in your face!
XXL
XXL
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 38
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From: Queensland, Australia
Fan Clutch problem - please help!!!
Hey,
You could take the fan off the water pump, run it for a short time, if it still makes that sound you have discounted the fan as the problem. It may be the water pump bearing on its way out?
Nordo
You could take the fan off the water pump, run it for a short time, if it still makes that sound you have discounted the fan as the problem. It may be the water pump bearing on its way out?
Nordo
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Thread Starter
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Postmaster
Joined: May 2002
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From: Annapolis, Maryland
Fan Clutch problem - please help!!!
I THINK I FOUND IT!!!!!
I took the length of hose out there yesterday. Poked around for a bit. It seems that the jiffy-pop noises are either coming from the tensioner pulley, or the pully right above it. Couldn't quite tell - I was freezing my nuts off!
What's that little pulley that sits just north of the tensioner? I might just replace both.
XXL
I took the length of hose out there yesterday. Poked around for a bit. It seems that the jiffy-pop noises are either coming from the tensioner pulley, or the pully right above it. Couldn't quite tell - I was freezing my nuts off!
What's that little pulley that sits just north of the tensioner? I might just replace both.
XXL
