new fan clutch loud roar

[aaron713]

Hey all. I have a 99 ranger 3.0
Water pump went outand I replaced that along with the thermostat, belt,and fan clutch.
now when accelerating there is a loud roar. Almost all the time. I was told the fan clutch needs to be broken in but I don't think that's the case.
any help would be appreciated.

 

[aaron713]

Anybody?

 

[Rearanger]

now when accelerating

The 3.0 actually accelerates?

I don't believe the broken in excuse. Mine will do a short minor "roar" when first started after sitting overnight until the fluid distributes from the bottom of the clutch.

How stiff is it when cold? Try starting the engine from cold and let it idle for a couple of minutes, then turn it off and turn the fan by hand - see how stiff it feels. Then run the engine to hot, maybe even with cardboard in front of the rad, and test again by hand (engine off of course). Any difference?

 

[McCormack]

Sounds like the fan clutch isn't working properly. I'd either return it for a different one, or return it and reuse your old one - if it ain't broke, why fix it? :^)

 

[aaron713]

When cold there is very little play. After I let it idle for a few minutes there was alot more play in the fan (I waited for the loud roar to stop but it shortly came back). The temp. stays near cold. I didn't try the cardboard in front of the radiator but I appreciate the help.
Hard to belive the part is no good but I guess I will have to switch it out and see.

 

[2813josh]

Sounds like the clutch isnt allowing the fan to free spin as much as it should. Could be a bad clutch... but also I think the little spring or coil or whatever you call it on the front of the clutch can be popped out and if it is it causes the clutch to not let the fan free spin... I think..

 

[aaron713]

I will look for the spring your talking about, I'm far from an expert on this but could the thermostat be possibly be the problem? I'm not looking forward to taking the clutch out again but anyways thanks for the help everyone.

 

[Rearanger]

I will look for the spring your talking about,

The "spring" is a bi-metal coil that reacts to heat and engages the clutch when it heats to a set temp. The natural position should be free running clutch, so I'd first exchange the clutch for a new one where you bought it. Depending on where you bought it may be low quality. I'd go for a Ford part.

My clutch is stiffer when dead cold and quite loose when warm but still disengaged. It takes quite a bit of temperature rise to engage the clutch that normal driving in moderate temps will not engage it - hence my suggestion of using the cardboard to heat the rad to engage the clutch. The oil inside the clutch will probably have a higher viscosity when cold, so that probably explains more stiffness then.

 

[aaron713]

Well I exchanged the part and so far it hasn't free spinned at all. The load roar is all the time now. I drive about 100 miles a day and this problem is really getting on my nerves. Anybody have any other ideas?

 

[Rearanger]

Buy Ford clutch from dealer or install e-fan.