Fan kicking in too often 1998 f150 4x4 4.6 tow package.
Just started driving this truck. Driving down the highway on a 75-85 degree day w/ ~3500 lbs behind it on a trailer. The clutch is turning the fan on every half mile or so driving at 65mph. Will also kick the fan on when driving w/o a load and a/c on. When pulling o/d off is illuminated and running level highways. Fan is kicking on high for about 1/2-1 mile then kicks off for 1/2 mile (stays on longer if it's warm out). Fan also is on high when I start the cold engine in the mornings and runs on high for about 5 minutes (depending on how high the rpm is allowed). Changed thermostat to 180, installed new fan clutch. What do I do next?
If the engine is not over heating then it is doing its job. The constant cycling is based on the temp of the air traveling through the radiator and the a/c condenser not the outside temp so much. The start up high rev is just how these clutches work in ford fans. It sounds like it is operating correctly.
Its always a good idea To clean the coils. It may calm the fan a little but the way you have described that it is running sounds normal.
It just registered with me how much weight you are pulling with this truck. If you are still only using the radiator to cool the transmission then you have been cooking the transmission. Install an additional transmission cooler and that will disperse some of the heat that the radiator is trying to handel on its own.
OK good luck with it.
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Ok, was wondering about the startup thing, but had to put that in anyway. It's just too bad they run the fan so hard. I would think there would be a happy medium to where it doesn't kill the engine power in the process of cooling it. When the fan kicks out I can feel the g-forces set me back in the seat even when i'm driving down the highway. Also something is getting warm when the trans kicks into 2nd pulling a hill w/ the fan on high. I'm thinking it's too much for the belt to turn the fan when the engine is running 4000rpm. I'm just not seeing how this setup can get warm enough to kick the fan in so often when our 94 150 5.0 w/ single core radiator never kicks fan in and temps stay right at 200-205 even on hot days pulling 10,000lbs.
I'm maybe leaning towards a partially plugged radiator (internally and externally) and the condencer coils partially plugged blocking off air flow. What do you think the chances of this would be? Do you think it would be worth my time to clean the coils out?
No, as stated above this truck has the tow package option installed which includes an auxilary trans cooler.
I guess i'll try cleaning the coils and see what happens. If that doesn't work i guess i'll be looking for a electric pusher fan to install. Thanks for the info.
fan running continuosly and slow; does not kicked into high speed when driving
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