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Is my Fan Clutch Engaging

Tiny
DIANA THOMAS
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 FORD EXPLORER
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 102,853 MILES
How can I diagnose a fan clutch problem? Car makes a roaring noise when driving.
Sunday, August 7th, 2011 AT 7:04 PM

13 Replies

Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
My hearing is no good. Usually with everything turned off, if the fan will spin freely using your finger, there is something wrong. The test may not be conclusive, If it is at full temp you should hear the fan slightly. If it is really loud it may be seized
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Sunday, August 7th, 2011 AT 7:12 PM
Tiny
DIANA THOMAS
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Wow sounds kind of dangerous! Thanks for the tips. I will be careful!
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Sunday, August 7th, 2011 AT 7:37 PM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
With everything turned off, how can a belt driven fan be dangerous? I've done this all life, I'm 64. I don't recommend holding anything with the engine running. Just my opinion. With the engine off, the clutch fan will not spin freely with a flick of the finger.

The video may show something different, I don't know? Everybody is welcome to post their opinion.

Diana, safety is your responsibility.
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Sunday, August 7th, 2011 AT 7:49 PM
Tiny
DIANA THOMAS
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
My first inclenation is to test with car off then if undetectable I may try the newspaper trick as seen in the video. Thanks again for your assistance.
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Sunday, August 7th, 2011 AT 7:56 PM
Tiny
DIANA THOMAS
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
OK guys thanks for the advice. I tried all suggestions. Fan is tight, no play. Appears to engage as it should. Now if that isn't the problem then what else would make it sound like a jet engine when I take off?
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Sunday, August 7th, 2011 AT 8:10 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
If the fan is roaring, the clutch is engaged.
When engine is running, feel the wind being pulled by the fan. If it is strong, it is good.

Is the noise that of wind or some bearing?
When clutch fan disengages, is the roaring noise level similar or much lower?
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Sunday, August 7th, 2011 AT 10:01 PM
Tiny
DIANA THOMAS
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
It seems that with this hot weather when I turn the car on it sounds pretty normal you can hear the fan turning and feel the air circulating but when I go to drive away it seems to make a roaring noise like a turbo engine on a jet plane. This will continue until I reach a certain gear or speed it and it seems to be labored in the process of moving thru the gears kind of like being stuck in a lower gear I guess. Will also occur after sitting at a stop light. Am I just being paranoid? No one else seems to think there is a problem except to me it doesn't normally sound this way. Could this be a transmission problem? It doesn't***** or miss or anything when driving.
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Sunday, August 7th, 2011 AT 11:53 PM
Tiny
THOMAS KOST
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2007 FORD EXPLORER
Engine Cooling problem
2007 Ford Explorer V8 Four Wheel Drive Automatic

Ford recently replaced the radiator (under warranty) on my 2007 Explorer Sport Trac. Upon receipt, I immediately noticed that the engine fan motor was engaging more often than it ever did previously. It engages after a cold start and on any incline or acceleration. The Ford Service Advisor said that is normal. Again, I never noticed the fan motor engaging that much prior to the radiator being relaced. I continue to address this with Ford. Can you provide any comments?
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Thursday, August 8th, 2019 AT 6:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
IMPALASS
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,112 POSTS
Hello -

If I may..... What was wrong with the radiator for them to replace it?

Depending on your answer above.....I may relook....... But for now.

Most vehicles have either a centrifugal clutch type fan or an electric fan. You, the fan is both and has fluid in it also.........

You may have not noticed it before because it wasn't cooling correctly due to the radiator.

In radiator removal they do remove the fan. So there may have been loose connections before etc.

Many things send signals to your PCM that adjust your fan speed..... Plus your fan is spinning all the time anyway.........

I attached info on the fan control for your review to show you.

FAN CONTROL

The PCM monitors certain parameters (such as engine coolant temperature, vehicle speed, A/C on/off status, A/C pressure) to determine engine cooling fan needs.

Also I attached info on your cooling fan clutch....... As you will see there again, many things control that, oil temp, transmission temp.........

The cooling fan clutch is an electrically actuated viscous clutch that consists of 3 main elements:
"Â a working chamber
"Â a reservoir chamber
"Â a cooling fan clutch actuator valve and a fan speed sensor (FSS)
The cooling fan clutch actuator valve controls the fluid flow from the reservoir into the working chamber. Once viscous fluid is in the working chamber, shearing of the fluid results in fan rotation. The cooling fan clutch actuator valve is activated with a pulse width modulated (PWM) output signal from the PCM. By opening and closing the fluid port valve, the PCM can control the cooling fan clutch speed. The cooling fan clutch speed is measured by a Hall-effect sensor and is monitored by the PCM during closed loop operation.

The PCM optimizes fan speed based on engine coolant temperature (ECT), engine oil temperature (EOT), transmission fluid temperature (TFT), intake air temperature (IAT), or air conditioning requirements. When an increased demand for fan speed is requested for vehicle cooling, the PCM monitors the fan speed through the Hall-effect sensor. If a fan speed increase is required, the PCM outputs the PWM signal to the fluid port, providing the required fan speed increase.

To me since so many things are controlling the fan the engine temp may be okay, but like you said, an incline or acceleration....... There is an increase in fluid movement as you see... Oil and transmission temp may begin to rise and it kicks up to ensure it remains cool...

I believe to me... It is working as it should. To give yourself a better piece of mind...I have in the past had the service department put on the check out sheet that it is normal for such and such to work this way.

Example, 1995 Impala SS..... It runs very close to red line before the second cooling fan comes on. That made me nervous. When you read the spec on the fans etc, that is what it is suppose to do since the engine runs better at a higher temp....... But they don't want it to overheat either. So they put all that info on the receipt for me.

Let me know about the radiator..... But again.....I believe it is working for now... As it should.
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Thursday, August 8th, 2019 AT 6:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
THOMAS KOST
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thank you for your prompt response. My radiator had a small seam leak (after pressure buildup) near the bottom, just above the cock nut. I'm just perplexed that the auxillary fan motor would kick in on a cold morning, just after starting and almost run continously. I have another appt at Ford soon.
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Thursday, August 8th, 2019 AT 6:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
IMPALASS
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,112 POSTS
Hello -

If you would, help me out here. . .. . ..now what I see on my info is you just have the radiator cooling fan that is on the engine. . .. . .. . .. . ...

When you say. . ...auxiliary fan motor. . ...you don't have another one on the radiator do you? You just have the one fan. . .. . .yes?

Well, I totally understand the concern. . .. . .. . .have you tried turning your AC/Heat totally off, fan and all. . .. . .. . .start it in the morning and see if it does it then?

It does look like the pic I have attached. . .. . .and it is belt driven?


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/248015_134811521_1.jpg



Hey before you go to Ford. . ...you might have them check, looks like you may have some recalls on your vehicle. The dealer may fix these for free. Please contact the dealer service department, give them the VIN number of your car and have them check on these to see if they apply to you.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/248015_Picture4_16.jpg

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Thursday, August 8th, 2019 AT 6:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
THOMAS KOST
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Yes, just on fan/motor as you have illustrated. I'll try starting with Heat-Off.

Thanks.
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Thursday, August 8th, 2019 AT 6:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
IMPALASS
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,112 POSTS
Hello -

Okay..... By the way...I know you said with the heat off... But so we are saying the same thing, the heat or AC..... Fan blower off..... All the controls totally off.

I think we are saying the same thing... Just wanted to make sure.
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Thursday, August 8th, 2019 AT 6:46 PM (Merged)

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