Tuesday, January 3rd, 2023 AT 4:00 PM
JAYE KEENER
- MEMBER
- 2004 CHEVROLET ASTRO
- 4.3L
- V6
- 4WD
- AUTOMATIC
- 102,555 MILES
Why does the Fan Clutch keep failing?
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Fan Clutch continuously fails?
17 Replies
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
- MECHANIC
- 109,747 POSTS
Hi,
The fan is attached to the pump. If it is failing, make sure there isn't excessive lateral play when it is installed and make sure the water pump doesn't have play indicating a worn bearing.
Also, if you have used the same brand clutch, try a different brand.
Let me know how often this happens and the indicator that it has failed. For example, does the engine overheat?
Here are two links you may find of interest as well:
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-clutch-fan-works
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/fan-clutch-symptoms
Let me know.
Take care,
Joe
The fan is attached to the pump. If it is failing, make sure there isn't excessive lateral play when it is installed and make sure the water pump doesn't have play indicating a worn bearing.
Also, if you have used the same brand clutch, try a different brand.
Let me know how often this happens and the indicator that it has failed. For example, does the engine overheat?
Here are two links you may find of interest as well:
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-clutch-fan-works
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/fan-clutch-symptoms
Let me know.
Take care,
Joe
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2023 AT 8:58 PM
JAYE KEENER
- MEMBER
- 10 POSTS
It runs about 210 Degrees. Excessive fan noise. Low power. Excessive fuel consumption.
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Wednesday, January 4th, 2023 AT 10:20 PM
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
- MECHANIC
- 109,747 POSTS
Hi,
195 is when the thermostat opens fully, so 210 isn't that far out of the ordinary. You indicate excessive fan noise. Does it do that while the engine is cool or cold?
If it does, I agree the fan clutch is faulty. Have you used the same brand of fan clutch each time it failed? Is everything tight on the fan, pulley, water pump, and so on?
Joe
195 is when the thermostat opens fully, so 210 isn't that far out of the ordinary. You indicate excessive fan noise. Does it do that while the engine is cool or cold?
If it does, I agree the fan clutch is faulty. Have you used the same brand of fan clutch each time it failed? Is everything tight on the fan, pulley, water pump, and so on?
Joe
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Thursday, January 5th, 2023 AT 1:57 PM
JAYE KEENER
- MEMBER
- 10 POSTS
Yes. Thank you. The fan is spinning way too fast when it starts. It does get better when it warms up but then it overheats. 210 is too hot. It is January in Alaska. The coolant temperature should not go over 195. The last mechanic replaced the water pump with a new fan clutch as a kit. The exact same symptom came back 45 miles later. 3 fan clutches, 45 miles each.
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Monday, January 9th, 2023 AT 8:59 PM
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
- MECHANIC
- 109,747 POSTS
Hi,
When it starts to overheat, does the fan make excessive noise? Also, has the same brand clutch been used each of the three times?
If you look below, I included the clutch fan diagnostics. Here is the thing. If the fan is excessively loud when it is overheating, there is a different issue causing the overheating. If the fan slows down when overheating, it has to be the fan clutch. That's why I ask if it was replaced all three times with the same brand. You may be getting faulty fan clutches.
Let me know your thoughts.
Joe
See pic below.
When it starts to overheat, does the fan make excessive noise? Also, has the same brand clutch been used each of the three times?
If you look below, I included the clutch fan diagnostics. Here is the thing. If the fan is excessively loud when it is overheating, there is a different issue causing the overheating. If the fan slows down when overheating, it has to be the fan clutch. That's why I ask if it was replaced all three times with the same brand. You may be getting faulty fan clutches.
Let me know your thoughts.
Joe
See pic below.
Image (Click to make bigger)
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Tuesday, January 10th, 2023 AT 4:40 PM
JAYE KEENER
- MEMBER
- 10 POSTS
Thanks, Joe. The fan seems to make less noise when it gets too hot. *210-*240!
Each fan clutch came from different stores; different brands. A skilled mechanic in a professional shop has been doing all the work on it over several days now. I drive 45 miles from there and the exact same symptom comes back= No Power, Excessive Fuel Consumption, Excessive Fan Noise and it Overheats. All of these ideas are pointing to another Bad Fan Clutch. That's crazy!
Each fan clutch came from different stores; different brands. A skilled mechanic in a professional shop has been doing all the work on it over several days now. I drive 45 miles from there and the exact same symptom comes back= No Power, Excessive Fuel Consumption, Excessive Fan Noise and it Overheats. All of these ideas are pointing to another Bad Fan Clutch. That's crazy!
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Tuesday, January 10th, 2023 AT 9:27 PM
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
- MECHANIC
- 109,747 POSTS
Hi,
The thing that is confusing me is the fan gets quieter when the engine gets hotter as mentioned above. That shouldn't happen. But at the end of your last post, you indicate excessive fan noise when it overheats. That does make sense.
That leads me to think the problem isn't the fan allowing the engine to overheat. I have another question for you. If you are driving at highway speed, does the engine overheat?
Let me know.
Joe
The thing that is confusing me is the fan gets quieter when the engine gets hotter as mentioned above. That shouldn't happen. But at the end of your last post, you indicate excessive fan noise when it overheats. That does make sense.
That leads me to think the problem isn't the fan allowing the engine to overheat. I have another question for you. If you are driving at highway speed, does the engine overheat?
Let me know.
Joe
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Wednesday, January 11th, 2023 AT 1:09 PM
JAYE KEENER
- MEMBER
- 10 POSTS
The main thing is 1.) Excessive fan noise and 2.) No power, along with 3.) Excessive fuel consumption. 4.) 210* F at highway speed is too hot in my opinion.
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Wednesday, January 11th, 2023 AT 6:53 PM
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
- MECHANIC
- 109,747 POSTS
If it is getting that hot at highway speed, something other is likely the problem. Also, that temperature would cause the fan to make more noise.
So, now I have several different thoughts. First, I suspect the thermostat was inspected or replaced, correct? Also, by chance do you have a live data scan tool or access to one? If you do, can you provide me with the short-term fuel trims when the engine is at operating temperature? Also, could you let me know how the oxygen sensors are reacting at operating temperature as well?
Last, do you notice any of the following:
Any smoke from the exhaust other than normal steam?
Any odd odors from the exhaust that could indicate a fuel mixture issue?
Has anyone checked for a partially plugged catalytic converter?
Do you hear any rattling from the catalytic converter or hissing sounds?
Has the radiator been flushed or inspected?
When the engine is excessively hot, have you checked to make sure none of the radiator hoses are partially collapsed?
Sorry for so many questions. The idea that it runs hot where you are located at highway speeds sounds like something is causing it other than the fan.
Let me know.
Joe
So, now I have several different thoughts. First, I suspect the thermostat was inspected or replaced, correct? Also, by chance do you have a live data scan tool or access to one? If you do, can you provide me with the short-term fuel trims when the engine is at operating temperature? Also, could you let me know how the oxygen sensors are reacting at operating temperature as well?
Last, do you notice any of the following:
Any smoke from the exhaust other than normal steam?
Any odd odors from the exhaust that could indicate a fuel mixture issue?
Has anyone checked for a partially plugged catalytic converter?
Do you hear any rattling from the catalytic converter or hissing sounds?
Has the radiator been flushed or inspected?
When the engine is excessively hot, have you checked to make sure none of the radiator hoses are partially collapsed?
Sorry for so many questions. The idea that it runs hot where you are located at highway speeds sounds like something is causing it other than the fan.
Let me know.
Joe
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Thursday, January 12th, 2023 AT 6:51 PM
JAYE KEENER
- MEMBER
- 10 POSTS
Thank you for asking me all these questions, Joe. You need to know what's going on. I will have some better answers after the Inspection/Diagnostic Test at Quality Transmission Service this morning. I will let you know.
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Friday, January 13th, 2023 AT 5:48 AM
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
- MECHANIC
- 109,747 POSTS
Hi,
You are very welcome. Let me know what they tell you. I'm really interested in knowing what they find.
Take care,
Joe
You are very welcome. Let me know what they tell you. I'm really interested in knowing what they find.
Take care,
Joe
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Friday, January 13th, 2023 AT 8:09 PM
JAYE KEENER
- MEMBER
- 10 POSTS
Quality Transmission Services Inc. Invoice 22152
140 East Dowling 2004 Chevrolet Astro 4.3L, V6
Anchorage, AK. 99518 Printed Date: 01/13/2023
Phone: 907-561-8767 Work Completed: 1/13/2023
noise at idle and reduced power, delayed engagement
[Recommendations]
no transmission or engine codes====slight delayed engagement===delayed shift 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd=== fluid full slightly discolored====vehicle has exhaust leak====transmission does however look to have been removed and re installed.
140 East Dowling 2004 Chevrolet Astro 4.3L, V6
Anchorage, AK. 99518 Printed Date: 01/13/2023
Phone: 907-561-8767 Work Completed: 1/13/2023
noise at idle and reduced power, delayed engagement
[Recommendations]
no transmission or engine codes====slight delayed engagement===delayed shift 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd=== fluid full slightly discolored====vehicle has exhaust leak====transmission does however look to have been removed and re installed.
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Friday, January 13th, 2023 AT 11:59 PM
JAYE KEENER
- MEMBER
- 10 POSTS
This is wrong!
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Saturday, January 14th, 2023 AT 12:01 AM
JAYE KEENER
- MEMBER
- 10 POSTS
I believe the "noise at idle and reduced power, delayed engagement" is because the fan clutch is not working. "Slight delayed engagement===delayed shift 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd" is because the fan clutch is not working. === "Fluid full slightly discolored" is because the transmission fluid got too hot. "Transmission does however look to have been removed and re installed" because I paid Brandon's shop to clean and degrease after replacing transmission cooler lines. Another transmission shop inspection said it had never been removed and could not have been rebuilt.
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Saturday, January 14th, 2023 AT 11:45 AM
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
- MECHANIC
- 109,747 POSTS
Jaye,
Was anything indicated related to the higher temperatures? Also, a delayed engagement or slightly delayed shift wouldn't cause it to run hot.
Let me know. Also, let me know how bad the exhaust leak is and if possible, where approximately it is located.
Joe
Was anything indicated related to the higher temperatures? Also, a delayed engagement or slightly delayed shift wouldn't cause it to run hot.
Let me know. Also, let me know how bad the exhaust leak is and if possible, where approximately it is located.
Joe
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Saturday, January 14th, 2023 AT 9:33 PM
JAYE KEENER
- MEMBER
- 10 POSTS
Sorry for my delayed response, Joe. It seems that the issue is fixed. Yesterday I paid Brandon to Replace Cap Rotor Plugs and Wires and Replace the Fuel Filter. I blew so much crap out of the old filter that I'm sure that was the problem. The Fan Clutch was not an issue at all.
Thank you for your time and attention to my problem. I'd like to keep in contact for your TechKnowledge in the future. Sincerely,
Jaye
Thank you for your time and attention to my problem. I'd like to keep in contact for your TechKnowledge in the future. Sincerely,
Jaye
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Wednesday, January 18th, 2023 AT 9:43 AM
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
- MECHANIC
- 109,747 POSTS
Hi,
Thank you for the update. I'm glad to know you got it taken care of and it wasn't too big of an issue.
Regardless, certainly, you are always welcome here. Come back any time in the future.
Take care of yourself,
Joe
Thank you for the update. I'm glad to know you got it taken care of and it wasn't too big of an issue.
Regardless, certainly, you are always welcome here. Come back any time in the future.
Take care of yourself,
Joe
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Wednesday, January 18th, 2023 AT 1:38 PM
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