Engine Fan - Diesel Forum

DSki · 06-22-2001, 01:54 PM

I have a 2001 X PSD. When towing up a steep grade the engine fan kicks on. The thing that I was wondering is --Is it actuated by engine temp, egt or what? My temp gauge never moves, not even a little, (rides about half) but it will turn on after a sustained pull on a hot day. Does anyone know how it is actuated and in what ranges?

Toolman · 06-22-2001, 02:26 PM

The fan is heat activated. The hotter it get's....the less slippage there is of the center fluid filled clutch. In other words, the fluid filled clutch will begin to engage as the temp rises. The temp it is detecting is the air coming through the radiator....so it's not an immediate reaction to a load...but rather one that is coolant temp, ground speed, and ambient air temperature dependant. Hope this helps.

Rover · 06-22-2001, 03:55 PM

Scared the %#%$# out of me the first time it happened to me...

I was towing at 65mph up Eisenhower in CO and it kicked in...

I think it was the first time the engine had gotten warm so I had never heard it before...

Thought I blew my turbo or something...then after about 30 seconds and slowing down I figured out what it was...

Rover

H ED S · 06-22-2001, 11:41 PM

DSki Wlcome to the forum and look around around and enjoy it as most of us do.

Toolman is right on.

Yeah Rover I remember the first time my 99 PSD truck came on. I thought something had broken. It was a heck of a lot louder than my 93 Ford diesel. I just turn my hearing aid down now [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/laugh.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/laugh.gif[/img] .

Take care all

POLR BR · 06-23-2001, 02:08 AM

Geeez, from the description of the fan operation, mine has never come on. Thanks for the info. If I ever get to a hot weather climate, I won't panic, (at least for very long).

If my fan goes several years without ever coming on, will it do the emergency brake routine and not work when needed? Would be a funny excuse to take a vacation to West Texas or Phoenix in July.

Randy Martin · 06-23-2001, 03:41 AM

I don't guess I've ever heard mine run without the fan on because I've never heard it kick on. Are the windows down when you hear it? We don't drive without the A/C on high here in Texas.

PSDExcursion · 06-23-2001, 03:09 PM

Usually, mine operates after I've run my beast a bit, then park it. When I start back up and take off, you can hear it go *whoooooooom* untill it cools down and shuts off.

AXTINC · 06-25-2001, 02:55 PM

Welcome to the site DSki and enjoy it and your fine rig!

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by DSki:
My temp gauge never moves, not even a little, (rides about half) <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Funny, I have observed the same condition and wondered if it somewhat works like the oil gauge in that once it is up to operating temp Ford deliberately holds it there until it senses a major overheat condition. I can on a hot day pull 8K up a 6% extended grade, air conditioner on with the EGTs steady at 1300 degrees and yet the temp gauge never even flutters much less moves.

Makes one wonder if Ford is once again trying not to worry us (the uninformed ignorant buyer/drivers) with a semi-non functional gauge? It appears that from Fords standpoint it is best to leave us in the dark until calamity strikes (i.e. don't worry about dropping oil pressure until there is none). But then maybe it is the best cooling system that has ever been designed and I am wrong.

Sorry, for venting. Just couldn't pass up the opportunity.

CountryCruizer · 06-26-2001, 07:00 PM

I don't think I have ever heard my fan come on.
If it is not operating how would you know.
Looking at the front of the fan clutch there seems to be a small circular temp coil or wire.
Is this the temperature sensor? [img]images/icons/crazy.gif[/img]

SS PSD · 06-27-2001, 09:33 AM

It's a temp. responsive spring....

ceferino · 06-29-2001, 02:47 PM

Here's a product to solve the hyperactive fan issue: www.usgear.com/cyclone.htm

Its claim is to engage the fan only when necessary, not just when the air passing thru the radiator is warm. There's also a manual engage override. I think that would be useful on very hot days when you want the AC to blow colder in stop n go traffic.

My xCRUSHn fan also kicks on when it's hot out, even not towing.

So has anybody tried this product yet?

PSDExcursion · 06-29-2001, 04:33 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Reno Husker Du:
Here's a product to solve the hyperactive fan issue: www.usgear.com/cyclone.htm

Its claim is to engage the fan only when necessary, not just when the air passing thru the radiator is warm. There's also a manual engage override. I think that would be useful on very hot days when you want the AC to blow colder in stop n go traffic.

My xCRUSHn fan also kicks on when it's hot out, even not towing.

So has anybody tried this product yet?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hum. 40HP to run the engine fan. Seems a bit much if you ask me. Furthermore, the viscous clutch in the fan hub slips, which makes it turn slower than engine rpm even when engaged. Since their clutch is positive engagement, is the stock fan rated for that high of RPM operation?

Looking at their graph, it says that 22HP are going to run the fan at 2,000 RPM. That sure seems like a lot.

$479 for the gizmo is pretty high also. The say it's more cost effective than a chip?! I wonder how they figure. They're welcome to line up with my X and see how good their fan compares...

ceferino · 06-30-2001, 01:37 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>... Seems a bit much if you ask me. ... $479 for the gizmo is pretty high also. They say it's more cost effective than a chip?!... <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

You're right, their claims are not credible, are they? I had read them a few weeks back but today I just posted it without re-reading it carefully.

The idea looks good, but by exaggerating their claimed advantages they make me suspicious.