Loud Blowing Noise From Fan/Engine

[darryl370]

I took my van in to the dealer because it started to make a loud blowing noise. It labors heavily when it's making this blowing noise. I thought it was the fan clutch but they said it was fine. It sounds like the fan is running all of the time now. It's an engine fan so there isn't a coolant sensor to turn an electrical fan on. It normally makes that noise in the summertime when it gets hot; it will blow loud and then stop once it cools off. Is this the fan clutch going bad? They said it was strong and solid but it's never run constantly like this.

[MT-2500]

If the rad fan blows hard all of the time cold or warm.
Replace it.

[Blue Bowtie]

This is not uncommon in colder temperatures. When the oil in the hydroviscous hub is very thick, the fan will act as if there were no clutch until the hub either warms up or the oil shears. You can test this with the engine off by trying to turn the fan blades. Turn it both directions for several rotations. If it frees up after a few revolutions, it is probably normal, and will return to normal operation once the fan clutch oil temperature rises above 0º-15º F.

[darryl370]

Thanks, guys! It was the fan clutch. I thought it was but don't know why the dealer told me that it was fine. The bearings were frozen so that explained why they said it was "strong and solid". I'm just lucky that the bearings did not blow and ruin my radiator!

[MT-2500]

You are welcome.
Glad you found the problem and thanks for posting back the fix.

Blue Bowtie is also right on with the dragging more and making more noise in real cold weather.