jeepiah98

Hey guys,

So I've posted about this before, but now I have a video - so here it goes..

For the past couple of months (and it gets progressively worse) I've noticed that my radiator fan is really loud, and just how loud is directly correlated to the RPMs. Even when she is cold I start it up and give her a little gas to get moving it sounds like a jet airplane going by. This doesn't change as the engine heats up (whenever I go to accelerate I notice it).

Here is a video that I took... not sure if it will be helpful but I figure it wouldn't hurt: http://www.youtube.com/embed/Nq2R14dYBwY

I was thinking fan clutch, but I’m hoping that someone has had a similar issue with resolution.

Thanks!!

djb383

On cold start and acceleration fan noise is normal but it should disappear/decrease quickly. Do u know if the PO maybe installed a HD fan clutch?.....they make lot's of noise.

PatriotGT

My guess would be the fan clutch is going out. Try spinning it by hand
and check to see if it has any forward/backward movement.

jeepiah98

is there an easy way to tell which clutch it is? I'm going to check it out after I get out of work... also try moving it with my fingers (with the engine off) to see if its seized... Will report back soon!

djb383

Unless someone can post a pic of the two fan clutches, might ask a parts store for a clutch to compare to the one u have.

PatriotGT

I'm talking about the clutch connecting the water pump to the fan blade.
Yours has two? I know mine has two fans, but one is electric (no clutch)
and the other mechanical, with clutch. It has four bolts holding the fan blade
to it.
NEVER put your hand inside while the engine is running, especially checking
belts or anything else in front of the motor.
Just watched your vid. Sounds just like my friends did when his fan clutch
went out.

djb383

The clutch fan is not connected to the water pump, it's on an idler pulley. There's a standard clutch and heavy duty clutch but only one is mounted to the accessory drive.

PatriotGT

I stand corrected. Sorry 'bout that.

freegdr

r5eplace the fan clutch its locked up ,not really gonna hurt any thing just noisy

PatriotGT

^^ unless it's like a co-worker of mine. His came apart, taking the radiator
with it and leaving a dent in his hood.

jeepiah98

****, that's pretty crazy... how did that happen? With the kind of tension created by a scenerio where steel is being damaged like that wouldn't the belt jump off first?

djb383

Sad, scary occurrence but excellent point. If one doesn't know how old the fan clutch is, spendy the +/-$35 to replace it. Look at the bright side, the fan clutch is the only major cooling system component that can be replaced WITHOUT draining/re-filling coolant.

jeepiah98

I have to agree with you there. Even if it never causes any actual damage, why risk it over $35?!

I assume it's not too difficult a task to replace it, right?

PatriotGT

Seems that his fan clutch was connected to his water pump. When it came loose,
the bearings in his clutch fell out, blade went forward to the radiator the upward
to the hood. All this happened a 2am Monday, he was out of state (NC) coming
back to Ga. when it happened. Had to wait till daylight to get a wrecker and rental
car. Had his truck taken to a dealer and had to go back the next week to get it and return the rental. So he lost 2 days work also.
Maybe more info than you wanted. lol. It wasn't a Jeep.

Oh I forgot, it also took out the water pump - driving it with bad bearings threw it out of balance.

jeepiah98

Hey guys,

Just to follow-up with folks – I replaced the fan clutch with a part purchased from JeepOEMParts.com. I followed the instructions given at http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/replacing-fan-clutch-373612/.

I will say though that the accessibility issues noted in the thread I found to be overstated. It suggests that you purchase a special wrench from AutoZone to get at the bolts connecting the fan/clutch to the pulley. I’m glad I didn’t... All I needed to do was remove the fan shroud and I had more than enough room to get at the bolts connecting the fan/clutch with a standard wrench. The whole process took less than 45 minutes (I’m very much a novice, too). Of note, I noticed that the failing part was not OEM.

Everything is all set now – the noise is gone and my temp readings are normal and solid. Thanks for everyone’s help!