Opinion

[marriedmanw]

I have narrowed a overcooling problem down to a bad fan clutch (I think). When the truck is first started the fan is running when the engine is cold. Since the fan is always running the truck doesn't reach normal temperature. The temperture gauge still doesn't get near the N on the temperature gauge, and just barely makes it into the normal range.
Would you suggest going ahead and replacing the fan clutch or just forget it and drive it as it is? It's the 2.3L 4 cyl engine.
I recently changed the thermostat but didn't notice the fan running at that time.

Thanks,
Michael

 

[shadetree]

The fan running when the engine is cold is normal. If it doesn't stop after 30 seconds to a minute it has a problem.

Without starting the engine when it is cold, try turning the fan by hand. It should have some resistance to being turned.

Warm the engine up (best you can), shut the engine off. Turn the fan by hand again, and there should be less resistance, some resistance, but less than when cold.

When warm, if the fan keeps spinning fast when you turn it by hand, it is defective. Of course, if you can't turn it at all, it frozen up and will need to be replaced.shady

 

[marriedmanw]

Thanks Shady.
I went ahead a bought a replacement fan clutch and installed it. When cold there is some resistance with spinning, but the fan still runs at start up and seems to run the same speed all the time. With the engine warm it spins a little more freely but not much. The temp gauge will barley get into the normal range, and when driving down interstate the gauge almost makes it to the N on the gauge before going right back down. The radiator was replaced a year ago, and the thermostat was replaced a few months back. I keep thinking that the needle needs to be closer to the half way mark, especially while hot. Does this sound normal?

 

[Mark_88]

Are the hoses hot to touch? Do you get heat out of the heater when it's cold? If you do, your overcooling may just be a wonky temp gauge...this is far more common on Rangers than bad fan clutches...my fan is the original from the first Ranger I bought and it still works just fine...

 

[marriedmanw]

Hey Mark -
The top hoses and the ones coming from the firewall are hot to the touch. I have heat after the first two minutes of running (heater output is great). The system was flushed when I did the radiator.
I was also thinking I had a wonky temp gauge since everything else seems to be working correctly. My cost of the fan clutch was $30, so I thought it would be worth a try (and with 190K miles). I hate throwing money away if it doesn't cure the problem. I'll leave is as is.
-Michael

 

[Bryan22]

hey married, i've got the same truck and same problem. seems like these trucks just run super cold, like 150-180 like you i've decided to just leave it be since it is still technically in the "normal" range. just not up to the letters, if you get it figured out though please let me know what it was.

 

[marriedmanw]

Bryan22 - I was just reading over your thread and it's ironic to have same symptoms. In your post your temp was around 150, but the OE thermostats are 195 degrees so that's odd. With a newer thermostat and brand new fan clutch I have seen no difference except a lighter wallet. I thought about replacing the coolant temp sensor, but don't want to drop another $30 on a attempt to fix. I too am going to let it go for now since I'm not over-heating and have sufficient heater output. If your able to find the problem, drop me a PM.
-Michael

 

[Bryan22]

Ya, i put in a coolant temp sensor, but it was a waste, if i was smart.... i would've shot it with the IR temp gun BEFORE purchasing the sensor. Between us we've pretty much thrown all the parts im willing to throw at it with no results, glad i didn't go out and buy the new fan clutch like i was thinking. haha. it dosen't get cold here really, but id say if you want it to run hotter just block off 1/2 of the radiator and smile when the temp goes up.

 

[Kenneth S]

What I did on my 88 2.3 is toss the fan, and it's clutch, installed and electric fan that I control with a toggle switch, and installed a 2 1/16" 270deg neadle sweep mechanical water temp guage, along with a mechanical oil pressure, and volt meter (I never ever trust the factory guages). I'm running a 180 deg thermostat, and the only time I really need to use the electric fan is if the truck sits at a redlight or something for more than a couple of min.

 

[Fast Fords]

my 95 has the exact same problem..replaced the thermostat twice, flushed twice and just recently I replaced the temp sensor. still no good. when i'm driving down the highway, its like it bounces off of a trampoline..creeps up to the normal halfway point then rapidly drops to just barely off the line for the C..weird..its just annoying looking down at the gauges and seeing the ECT needle bouncing away haha..likewise, i have decided to leave it..