So a few months ago, I replaced my fan clutch due to an issue of overheating only while idling (unfortunately, it did not fix the issue). I replaced the OEM one with one made by Torqflo from Autozone. The Torqflo fan clutch is "heavy duty", which has a larger diameter than the OEM one. When I installed it, I tightened the nuts down evenly and the belt was back on the pulley as it should be.

Here is my issue: ever since putting on this bigger, heavier fan clutch, I have a jingle coming from the front end. The jingle only occurs when it is cold out (mind you, I live in California so when I say cold, it is only about 60 degrees). Now, this jingle only occurs when I am in 2nd, 3rd or 4th gear, will go away after literally the first 3 or 4 blocks of driving and is louder when I take my foot off the gas and coast. After those few blocks, that jingle goes away and doesn't come back. If I start my XJ when it's hotter out, that jingle doesn't ever come. And the colder it is, the louder, more apparent the sound is.

My question is, since i put on a heavier fan clutch, does that put more stress on other components, possibly knocking a bearing lose somewhere? And it just takes a minute or two for it to heat up, causing the noise to go away? The fan isn't hitting the shroud or anything causing the noise. After I first heard the jingle, I tried tightening the belt a bit, thinking it would solve it, but it's still there. Oh and the belt is only a few months old so it's in good shape. Obviously it isn't a big deal and I just turn up my music so I don't gotta hear it but I just wanna know what's going on.

I have a 96 Sport with AW4 and A/C

 

Sorry, I don't do "jingle". It's always fun when people post video clips. Will it do it parked?

It depends on the E-Fan, and to some degree a well fitting fan shroud, to cool when you are not cruise'n.(also) E-fan should kick on when you turn on the AC, or the defroster. Also at ?217*?

Hey, I'm just up the coast from you! (like, 800 mi)

 

check for loose on fan blade

 

I'll try and get a video of it today. My efan is wired to a toggle switch inside the cab. I checked and rechecked that the fan shroud was tight as well as the fan itself but I'll check again. And no, it doesnt do it when it's parked, only when i'm in motion when i reach a certain speed (anywhere past first gear).

I was just wondering if it was possible that a bearing in the water pump or alternator, etc coulda been knocked loose with any added stress of the larger fan clutch? Or if that pulley that the fan clutch sits on has a bearing in it that could have come loose?

 

Ball and roller bearings can "fall out" if you are having a memorable day! Some other things a bad bearing might do. *Get hot *feel rough *make noise *get loose *seize *smoke *a bearing insert may seize and "spin" (hence the term(s))

If I thought I had a bad bearing I would first listen with a hose or tube. Next I would feel for heat. (not running!) Then there I might loosen or remove the belt and feel for any play or roughness turning it. They do go bad, I think I changed my idler years ago. Also countless alternator bearings, I forget in what. EDIT: Also the bushing in the water pump is a common failure.

I wouldn't expect something like that would care what gear you are in. You might look at your motor mounts and see if they look OK, and centered front to back in the bracket. If the jeep hit something, or you jerked on a chain trying to pull something the engine may have gone farther forward than the Jeep did!

 

Okay I see! My motor mounts are good, just changed em a few months ago actually. Looks like my first step is going to replace that pulley. It's just very hard to pinpoint since it only does it in motion above about 30 MPH or so. Thanks for the info!

800 miles is quite a ways, but good to know there are others in Commufornia!

 

I know this is probably a silly suggestion but is there any possibility one of your wrenches fell down onto the tray below the fan? I had that happen on a different car. Lost a stupid T45 Torx and didn't realize it, the damned thing rattled around for months and I thought for sure I had totally screwed something up, internally. I pulled the oil pan and checked bottom end, pulled my water pump, replaced the idler pulley and timing belt but none of it helped. Finally, I pulled my fan and radiator only to discover the little wrench floating around on the metal tray under the radiator.

Voila! No more jingle.

 

Wow really?? That was probably sooo frustrating. I'm pretty sure that's not the case but I'll check to make sure. Plus, since it doesn't do it at all once it warms up, I'd think that isn't the case but I guess that would be the best place to start. Thanks for the suggestion! And sorry you had to go through that

 

I wouldn't think the fan clutch would place any load on any belt driven accessory. Resistance from whatever accessory is placed on the crank pulley. Does a HD fan clutch place more load on the crank pulley?.....yep, fan doesn't "freewheel" as much.

 

Question for you, sir. I replaced the water pump and idler pulley a couple of weeks ago, and I'm still getting that annoying jingle coming from the front end (only when it is cold outside and I am in motion - anywhere past first gear). I took a look at the fan clutch more closely and it seems there is a motor oil colored fluid seeping out near the center (I'll get a picture today). Is there fluid inside the fan clutch? If so, it would seem that I got a "lemon" of a fan clutch. Good thing it has a lifetime warranty on it

 

leaking fluid that inside clutch housing take it back fur sur

 

Yep, X2 ^^, defective, take 'er back.

 

Awesome will do. Thanks guys.

 

I'm having a similar issue, trouble with temp spike at idle. I have also noticed in the last 2 months a jingle coming from the same area. I was just curious if the new fan clutch fixed your jingle. Also you had said that the overheating issue was not resolved after the firest fan clutch. Did the replacement resolve the issue?

 

Nope didn't fix the jingle. I've put in 3 different fan clutches since I started this thread and still does it. I've also replaced the alternator, A/C compressor w/ a bypass pulley, water pump and idler pulley. Which leads me to believe that the bearing on the bracket that the fan clutch mounts to has gone bad. I have a new (to me) one sitting in my garage, just gotta do it.

As far as my overheating issue, putting in a larger fan clutch helped but putting in a new radiator is what really solved the issue.

Yours may be a different case though, I'd start with replacing the fan clutch and go from there.