[Simek]

I own a 2002 7.3L F250 diesel 4x4. Has 61,000 miles and runs like a champ. Coming home from Louisiana to Austin last weekend, several times I heard a noise coming from the hood that sounded like a fan or air being taken in. It lasted for a couple minutes then went away. Sounded exactly like when you take off in the morning. After doing some resarch on this site, it sounds as if it is probably the clutch fan kickin on and off.

It was about 100 degrees F on the way back, and I was keeping it about 2000 RPM. Temp did not increase nor did the RPMs when this happened. The tranny shifted fine throughout the whome trip and I got great mileage.

I just want some opinions/confirmation from you all to verify that this is probably what it is.

Also, is this bad for the truck? If so, can the frquency of "fanning events" be reduced in any way. That damn thing is loud!

 

[datz510]

Its just the fan clutch. It is normal. Its 115F here in Phoenix today and my truck does it everywhere I go. Its pretty noisy going down the highway with the clutch fan locked up the whole way. It is normal though and is what the engine is designed to do when its really hot out.

Just learn to live with it.. the engine has to do what it does to stay cool.

 

[IA712]

It's normal, you just don't want it doing any rapid cylcing or hearing a chirp or belt slip while it's running. That problem has been noted, especially for th 02 models. If your's isn't doing it (chirp) then consider yourslef lucky

 

[Simek]

Thanks much gentlemen.

 

[2012]

Did it sound alot like turbo wine then "shift" into a lower drone /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/vulnerable.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/vulnerable.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

 

[dennishamm]

i have a 2002 f250 superduty and my clutch fan is cycling on and off and has a high pitch squeel seems like when i turn the ac off it heips the problem a little. does anyone know what the problem is and the fix?

 

[cgroveusa]

Sounds like related to the TSB below. If my memory serves me right there was an updated kit available which included belt and pulley for the issue.

2002 F-SERIES 250-750 AND EXCURSION 7.3L DIESEL - BELT SQUEAL
SOME 2002 F-250 THROUGH 750 AND EXCURSION VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 7.3L ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A LOUD SQUEALING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE AREA WHEN THE ENGINE FAN CLUTCH IS UNDER LOAD WHILE OPERATED IN HOT DUSTY CLIMATES. THIS MAY BE DUE TO AN ACCUMULATION OF DUST ON THE BACKSIDE OF THE ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT CAUSING THE BELT TO SLIP. THIS CONDITION HAS BEEN MISINTERPRETED AS A TURBO CHARGER OR FAN CLUTCH ASSEMBLY DUE TO THE NOISE AND/OR FAST FAN CLUTCH CYCLING. A SERVICE KIT AND PROCEDURE IS SCHEDULED TO BE RELEASED IN 2003. TO SERVICE IN THE INTERIM, REPLACE THE ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT USING THE 1C2Z-8620-NA BELT FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A SINGLE ALTERNATOR SYSTEM AND THE 1C2Z-8620-PA BELT FOR VEHICLES WITH A DUAL ALTERNATOR SYSTEM.

2002/03 F-Series and Excursion Belt Squeal; 99-01 with Replaced Belts:
Some 7.3 engines may exhibit a loud squeal noise from the engine area when the engine is under load and the fan clutch is locked up, typically in hot and dusty conditions. Another complaint may be the fan clutch oscillating or not locking up. This may be due to dust accumulating on the back side of the belt and causing it to slip on the water pump pulley. This usually affects only 2002 model/year vehicles, but may occur in trucks built from 99-01 if the belt was replaced after July 01. On single rear wheel trucks, replace the serpentine belt with P/N 1C2Z-8620-NA on single-alternator engines, and 1C2Z-8620-PA on dual-alternators. Broadcast Message 3848.
A service kit has been released for 2002 trucks only. It includes a belt, tensioner and water pump pulley. Use 2C3Z-8620-AA for single alternator and 2C3Z-8620-BA for dual alternators. Broadcast Message 0718.

 

[BubbaZ71Tahoe]

BUMP... I hate to bump this old thread but it is about the closest thing I have found to my problem.

This past weekend while towing my boat the fan clutch was as if it was surging and was making the high pitch squeal noise.

Has anyone done the update? I'd like to get it fixed before I tow my boat again next month 250 miles.

 

[fjones]

I was having the same problem with the belt squeal on my 2003 F-250 pulling my 12,000 pound fifth wheel. Back in 2004 the dealer changed the pulley, tensioner and belt as mentioned in the above thread. It has not been a problem after the new parts were installed.

 

[horseyford]

my 00 was doing this very badly, then I changed the belt *again* and it went away

 

[BubbaZ71Tahoe]

my 00 was doing this very badly, then I changed the belt *again* and it went away

which belt did you go with? My belt isnt old but its a Gates one from Oreilly...

 

[HamRad]

I have a 2002 7.3 PSD 450 single alternator. The truck is a crew cab long bed dually.

"On single rear wheel trucks, replace the serpentine belt with P/N 1C2Z-8620-NA on single-alternator engines, and 1C2Z-8620-PA on dual-alternators. Broadcast Message 3848.
A service kit has been released for 2002 trucks only. It includes a belt, tensioner and water pump pulley. Use 2C3Z-8620-AA for single alternator and 2C3Z-8620-BA for dual alternators. Broadcast Message 0718."

Either I'm not reading the info correctly or am just very confused. Since this info is so old I'm wondering if they still even have the 'Kits' . And of course which 'kit' should I use? Perhaps just replacing the belt will be enough. I just took a trip of about 700 miles towing our 5th wheel and did not notice the noise. The weather was very nice and on the cool side. I don't think it got over 80 degrees the entire trip.

And while the fan would kick on it seemed to be working normally --- no fast cycling! This whole thing is annoying but apparently causing no direct problem. Thanks for any info on how to proceed. Dennis

 

[klhansen]

I have a 2002 7.3 PSD 450 single alternator. The truck is a crew cab long bed dually.

"On single rear wheel trucks, replace the serpentine belt with P/N 1C2Z-8620-NA on single-alternator engines, and 1C2Z-8620-PA on dual-alternators. Broadcast Message 3848.
A service kit has been released for 2002 trucks only. It includes a belt, tensioner and water pump pulley. Use 2C3Z-8620-AA for single alternator and 2C3Z-8620-BA for dual alternators. Broadcast Message 0718."

Either I'm not reading the info correctly or am just very confused. Since this info is so old I'm wondering if they still even have the 'Kits' . And of course which 'kit' should I use? Perhaps just replacing the belt will be enough. I just took a trip of about 700 miles towing our 5th wheel and did not notice the noise. The weather was very nice and on the cool side. I don't think it got over 80 degrees the entire trip.

And while the fan would kick on it seemed to be working normally --- no fast cycling! This whole thing is annoying but apparently causing no direct problem. Thanks for any info on how to proceed. Dennis

Since you're working well, I wouldn't worry about the kit (which is still available for about $260)

The numbers in the first paragraph are just for the belt (cost around $35)second paragraph are for belt, tensioner and WP pulley.
(Prices came from Tousley's site, so probably less than what you'd pay at your dealer.)

 

[BubbaZ71Tahoe]

mine did it today driving on the interstate at 75mph with no load... its getting annoying! 97 degrees

I am thinking my belt tensioner needs to be replaced.

 

[HamRad]

Klhansen,
Thanks for info. I'll just leave things as they are until it gets worse. Appreciate the cost info. Good to have a good reference point. Happy and safe travels. Dennis

 

[horseyford]

I don't know, but I will find out...all I know is it stopped squealing under load when hot outside as soon as I replaced the belt.