2000 GMC Safari AWD- loud cooling fan

JWEHLER

MEMBER
2000 GMC SAFARI

I have had this van for about 7 months & have had this problem for the last 6. When you first start driving, the engine sounds real loud- like a jet or a diesel engine. If I stomp on the gas & let it run at high RPM's for a few seconds, the sound goes away & I can feel an increase in power. My first thoughts were the fan clutch had locked up, so I replaced the clutch & it was better for about a week, but came back- no as bad, but still there quite often. This is a thermal clutch- is it common for them to go bad that quick? Is something else causing this problem? The engine is a 4.3 liter V6 VORTEC with about 50,000 miles on it. I have done a fairly extensive tune up recently (with no improvement) including: Oil & filter change, Transmission fluid & filter, Front & rear diff. Lube change, transfer case fluid flush & change, new plugs, dist. Cap, & rotor, air filter, etc. Also I occasionaly get a check engine light for a cylinder misfire- once cylinder 4, & once on cylinder 3- which after clearing go away & the engine never even seemed to misfire. Any help with the noisy fan would be great- it really annoying & I'm sure it's using more gas & robbing me of power.

2 Replies

DADDYMAN

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I have the same problem and was told it was the alternator, I changed it (what a pain) and no change. Any ideas? Could it be transfer case?
Thanks for any help.

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Monday, September 24th, 2007 AT 10:57 AM

KENTEK

MEMBER
1 POST

I have the same problem but mine is a result of the fan blades hitting the shroud. Try gently squeezing and pushing your fan shroud with the engine running. If it gets louder or goes away then that's your problem. Some times we hit sticks and bushes or stuff like that, something my fly up from the bottom and cause you some grief. Check and make sure that all bolts holding the shroud are in place and not broken anywhere, this may result in the shroud becoming out of alignment. A severe overheat may result in the shroud heating up and changing shape just slightly. As an alternative you may want to convert to electric which is what I'm looking into now two rads and two shrouds and a water pump later.

Your engine needs and efficient cooling system and the shroud is a valuable part of that, No shroud and no cooling. It plays a big role.

Yes a mechanical fan does cost the engine efficiency, converting to an electric can safe you money but they're also more expensive too.

Converting to an electrical fan you'll need to make sure that you get the whole kit. You'll need the two fan configuration for maximum air flow, you'll need the wiring kit which may be sold separately and you'll need the temperature switch and their are two temperatures so make sure that you get the one that best suits your running needs.