Radiator Fan Question
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Lead Driver
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From: Houston/Sugar Land
Radiator Fan Question
My fan turns all the time. I replaced the fan clutch because of this. The shaft on the old clutch was fairly stiff and didn't turn easily. New fan clutch installed and it still runs all the time. I have read many articles on this and it seems the folks are divided on whether it should run all the time or not. Mine runs with A/C off or on and under all conditions, cold start etc. Can someone clue me in as to what is normal for the fan to do or what the issue could be. I know I could have bought a new bad clutch but before I return it I would like a for sure answer. Thanks Sandy ALSO I have grabbed the fan blades and rocked them and no shaft movement.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Mexico, Missouri
An easy way to see if the clutch is disengaging is to start the truck. Fan should be locked solid and can be heard over other accessories. Hold accelerator down until reaching 2000 to 2500 rpm. Holding rpms, it Should not take more than 2 or 3 minutes for the fan to disengage and cannot be heard.
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Lead Driver
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From: Houston/Sugar Land
Right, that's why I am confused by the information I have read on this. My fan clutch is thermal and the articles may be talking about an electric fan but I didn't read that. Thanks Sandy
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Lead Driver
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From: Houston/Sugar Land
An easy way to see if the clutch is disengaging is to start the truck. Fan should be locked solid and can be heard over other accessories. Hold accelerator down until reaching 2000 to 2500 rpm. Holding rpms, it Should not take more than 2 or 3 minutes for the fan to disengage and cannot be heard.
Logistics Pro
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From: Mexico, Missouri
Yeah, all 3 of my trucks have a "distinct" roar at startup from the clutch fan. They vary from a few minutes to 5 minutes depending on load. I can notice when the fan disengages shortly after driving from sound and drag.
I went through 2 Hayden clutches before going back to Motorcraft. They would stay stuck for 10+ minutes, holding 2nd gear, up to 45 mph. The Motorcraft would be good in just a few minutes.
I went through 2 Hayden clutches before going back to Motorcraft. They would stay stuck for 10+ minutes, holding 2nd gear, up to 45 mph. The Motorcraft would be good in just a few minutes.
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Lead Driver
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From: Houston/Sugar Land
Ran it for three minutes at 2300 RPM's and it ran the entire time. Sandy The clutch came from Rockauto and is a four seasons.
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Fleet Owner
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There is a difference between the fan rotating and being locked. They always rotate with the engine running.
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Lead Driver
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I am aware of that but mine runs a constant high speed all the time and never changes. It appears to be locked up. Sandy Thanks
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
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Ford390 is correct. It should still rotate/spin but slower, with less resistance and less blowing/cooling effect.
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Lead Driver
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From: Houston/Sugar Land
I don't have what I would consider a roaring jet sound at all. Sandy
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I had the same problem with aftermarket clutch fans. I'm on the 3rd one for my other '95, 5.0. Next one will be another Motorcraft like my '95, 5.8
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Lead Driver
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From: Houston/Sugar Land
If it makes you feel better, Motorcraft still sells our clutch fans. Not cheap, but reliable and efficient. I think I paid $138 from White Bear Lake Ford.
I had the same problem with aftermarket clutch fans. I'm on the 3rd one for my other '95, 5.0. Next one will be another Motorcraft like my '95, 5.8
I had the same problem with aftermarket clutch fans. I'm on the 3rd one for my other '95, 5.0. Next one will be another Motorcraft like my '95, 5.8
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
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That sounds like a good plan.
I just want to be sure I'm not misleading you.
If the fan is locked at startup, you can check with a sheet of paper over the condenser. It will stay stuck with the large amount of air coming over it. It should be.
After you hold steady, high rpm for several minutes, do you hear any variation in pitch or noise from the Fan? Will the same piece of paper be stuck against the condenser from the lack of air? If it hasn't unlocked after several minutes of high rpm and there is still large amounts of air being pulled through, then I would get a Motorcraft clutch fan.
On startup, my clutch is fully locked. The paper trick tells me it is. After several minutes, I can hear the fan slowly disengage and it's quiet. The paper won't hold or barely sticks to the condenser.
Hope this helps.
I just want to be sure I'm not misleading you.
If the fan is locked at startup, you can check with a sheet of paper over the condenser. It will stay stuck with the large amount of air coming over it. It should be.
After you hold steady, high rpm for several minutes, do you hear any variation in pitch or noise from the Fan? Will the same piece of paper be stuck against the condenser from the lack of air? If it hasn't unlocked after several minutes of high rpm and there is still large amounts of air being pulled through, then I would get a Motorcraft clutch fan.
On startup, my clutch is fully locked. The paper trick tells me it is. After several minutes, I can hear the fan slowly disengage and it's quiet. The paper won't hold or barely sticks to the condenser.
Hope this helps.
Thread Starter
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 6,185
Likes: 633
From: Houston/Sugar Land
That sounds like a good plan.
I just want to be sure I'm not misleading you.
If the fan is locked at startup, you can check with a sheet of paper over the condenser. It will stay stuck with the large amount of air coming over it. It should be.
After you hold steady, high rpm for several minutes, do you hear any variation in pitch or noise from the Fan? Will the same piece of paper be stuck against the condenser from the lack of air? If it hasn't unlocked after several minutes of high rpm and there is still large amounts of air being pulled through, then I would get a Motorcraft clutch fan.
On startup, my clutch is fully locked. The paper trick tells me it is. After several minutes, I can hear the fan slowly disengage and it's quiet. The paper won't hold or barely sticks to the condenser.
Hope this helps.
I just want to be sure I'm not misleading you.
If the fan is locked at startup, you can check with a sheet of paper over the condenser. It will stay stuck with the large amount of air coming over it. It should be.
After you hold steady, high rpm for several minutes, do you hear any variation in pitch or noise from the Fan? Will the same piece of paper be stuck against the condenser from the lack of air? If it hasn't unlocked after several minutes of high rpm and there is still large amounts of air being pulled through, then I would get a Motorcraft clutch fan.
On startup, my clutch is fully locked. The paper trick tells me it is. After several minutes, I can hear the fan slowly disengage and it's quiet. The paper won't hold or barely sticks to the condenser.
Hope this helps.