Symptoms of a HD Fan Clutch?

From: Travis Bailey (dusterrt@msn.com)
Date: Wed Jan 07 2004 - 23:03:51 EST


I've got this slightly obnoxious "problem." When I first start my truck,
the fan clutch is engauged, or at least sure feels like it. It doesn't
matter if it's 4 degrees or in the 60's (that's all the temp range I've
experienced since getting it), or if I let it idle and warm up partially or
all the way to normal temps, it's on until I drive it for a block or two.
Sounds like it's trying to suck the Hellas through the grille, and feels
like it is sucking up about 40 horsepower doing so. Also: will not shift
below 2300 RPMS or so, kinda annoying when you're trying to sneak out of the
subdivision with straight pipes, lol. As soon as the fan shuts up, all is
fine and normal, warmed up or still cold. It's worst when cold, but does
something similar if it is warm, shut off for a short bit, and then
re-started.

My theory is this: truck came from Miami which is where it has been up
until a few weeks ago. Not only is it mad at me for making it stay in this
midwest tundra, one of the previous owners put in a heavy duty fan clutch.
The viscous goo in the clutch is really viscous when cold and it takes a bit
to warm it up and let the fan spin freely. The fan moves a poopload of air
and eats up power doing so making the transmission think, "There is a load,
delay shifts to higher RPMs!" Am I on the right track here or should I not
have used a rattle can to paint a large piece of furnature in a
less-than-perfectly ventilated area?

Travis
'92 Dak 5.2 4x4

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