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North GA Dak
Dodge Dakota
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1/27/2003
16:17:35
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 Subject: Fan Clutch
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Message:
I was wondering if it is normal for a fan clutch to fail at 35K miles........
I replaced my belt this weekend due to excessive noise and that solved 90% of my squeak problem. So, I took it to my dealer and he said that it was a bad fan clutch and my warranty covers it. That is a releif. But this leads me to my next question....could the bad fan clutch have led to my worn belt?? I thought that was a little early for a belt to wear out.
Thanks for the time.
Scott
'01 Flame Red QC 4.7
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jeanbenet
Dodge Dakota
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1/27/2003
17:18:48
|  RE: Fan Clutch
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Scott, the "01"4.7 comes with electric fans which you will see bolted to the radiator, you can have Dodge replace under warrenty your bad clutch fan.
Once you have this done stop by an Auto parts and pick up a Robert Shaw 180' thermostat ($6.25), this took me about 30-45 mins total change time, this allows more frequent water cooling to the engine. Now that this is done get a wrench (BIG) that fits your new fan clutch nut that is in between the new clutch and pully, make sure that the wrench sticks up (long enough) to hit the end with a hammer counter clockwise facing the truck. After it cracks loose finish removing the fan by hand and store it somewhere for a time when you may sell the truck. This will not increase belt life but it will in turn increase engine life and HP about 5hp or so and improve milage by about 2-3 mpg. With no fan it will be much more quiet and will allow you to hear what your engine is saying when it does make noise. Read other threads and you decide, hope this helps!
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Alpine
Dodge Dakota
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1/27/2003
17:34:13
| RE: Fan Clutch
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Message:
Can someone explain why you would get a 2-3 MPG increase by removing the clutch fan? It does not add up to me. I have replaced the T-stat and was going to take out the clutch fan when the weather gets a little warmer.
Does the engine run smoother after the removal of the clutch fan?
One other question for you guys that have done this. If you are sitting at a light will the temp needle rise to 195 then when you start going, slowly drop to 180? In short, does the needle bounce round?
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North GA Dak
Dodge Dakota
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1/28/2003
06:35:18
| RE: Fan Clutch
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Message:
JeanBenet, Thanks for the info. I'll look at more threads and decide.
Thanks again!
Scott
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ScojoDak
Dodge Dakota
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1/28/2003
09:38:54
| RE: Fan Clutch
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Alpine, It's called rotational mass. Some call it by another name. Basically, it takes energy to turn that heavy fan blade. So it bleeds energy from the motor. Hence the savings of HP and the increase in MPG. Some fans can suck up to 8 HP to turn. Hope this helped.
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routesixtysix
Dodge Dakota
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1/28/2003
09:46:07
| RE: Fan Clutch
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When I pulled my fan clutch, it made a huge improvement in noise and smoothness. It was almost spooky-quiet without the standard "whoosh" from a cold start. I saw no mileage gain at all and maybe a slight power gain from a standing start.
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Texas Todd
Dodge Dakota
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1/28/2003
11:53:34
|  RE: Fan Clutch
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Message:
Needle bounch-no
do you need the belt clutch/fan on a 4.7 with the factory electric(that's on anytime the a/c's on)-
NO
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Adam
Dodge Dakota
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1/28/2003
17:47:44
| RE: Fan Clutch
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Today I tried to take my clutch fan off and did exactly what jeanbenet did but it just kept spinning. The belt didnt have a strong enough grip to loosen the fan. Any suggestions?
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ScojoDak
Dodge Dakota
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1/29/2003
09:33:06
| RE: Fan Clutch
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Message:
Adam, try a "dead blow" hammer on the wrench. It's a hammer with lead in the head. Worked for me.
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Texas Todd
Dodge Dakota
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1/29/2003
10:25:19
| RE: Fan Clutch
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Adam,
I put a 1ft piece of 2x4 perpendicular to the end of the wrench, and hit that with a hammer. That was to get it out of the way of the engine and radiator, etc.
On my friends 4.7, his spun too, so we just put a medium sized phillips screw driver thru the holes in the pulley, and seated it well against the water pump, so as not to damage it. Then tapped the board, on the wrench that was on the bolt, and it came right off, easily.
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ShortSport
GenIII
1/29/2003
23:58:33
| RE: Fan Clutch
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Message:
I really don't know this so clarification would be nice but does the fan turn all the time or only when the clutch is ingaged?..if this is so wouldn't you only see hp gains at intermittened times..god i confused myself..help
2002 Reg cab 4x2 4.7 5-spd 3.55.1 LSD
fiberglass tonneau cover; stainless steel cat-back dual exhaust; magnaflow muffler
Go hard or go home!!
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Texas Todd
Dodge Dakota
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1/30/2003
14:04:33
| RE: Fan Clutch
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Message:
hey sport,
the belt turns a viscous clutch, that ALWAYS turns. rotational weight=requires power
the fans usaully turns, even if the clutch isn't really engaged, just not that fast. With the viscous clutch, on cold start-ups, the fan always turns full, until the fluid in the clutch gets to the right place, and it's not too hot, that's why the 4.7 sounds like a propellar plane on cold start ups.
We're not talking snap your neck back, night and day differences here. Taking the belt clutch/fan off DOES increase some power, and it accellerated easier too-a little. All for a free easy mod, with the 180 t-stat, never mind.
One guy bothered taking his fan off his clutch, cause he thought the pulley would fall off. Another guy put a nut back on the pulley.
IT WON'T FALL OFF, it's pressed on at the factory. ( the pulley that is)
PS-is that RC practical?
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Pittdawg
Dodge Dakota
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1/30/2003
16:05:41
| RE: Fan Clutch
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Message:
If u don't need the clutch fan, and it improves both power and mpgs, why in the heck does it come with one?
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Texas Todd
Dodge Dakota
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1/30/2003
16:16:05
| RE: Fan Clutch
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Message:
The new 3.7L v6 does not!, just the eletric. I guess they read the posts here and got it figured out, you don't need it!
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swampdak
Gen III
1/31/2003
21:51:00
| RE: Fan Clutch
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Message:
Hey North GA Dak my clutch fan went at about 60,000 mi It was a hard to find problem as it only squealed when the fan kicked out. I bet there was nothing wrong with your belt as I still have the original with 90,000 mi.The dealer tells me there are a small number of clutch fans failing prematurely.
Y2K CC 4.7 AUTO 4X4 3.55 TRAC-LOK SLT K&N 16.35/82.41
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North GA Dak
Dodge Dakota
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2/01/2003
00:50:37
| RE: Fan Clutch
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Message:
Hey swampdak, after I changed the belt it was just a little quieter, but I agree that the belt was more than likely ok. I put a Goodyear Gatorback on because of some of the threads here stating that they have been lasting longer than the $49 Dodge replacement. Cheaper, too. After all that, I am takin' the fan off this weekend and I am using jeanbenet's adivce and installing the 180 t-stat. We'll see what happens.
Thanks for the input!
Scott
'01 Flame Red QC 4.7
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Joey
Dodge Dakota
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2/04/2003
16:22:15
| RE: Fan Clutch
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Message:
i was wondering if i could remove the clutch fan on my 2002 R/T. I live in the northeast so i doubt heat would be much of a problem so wat kind of gains could i expect to get if i remove the fan? any info would really be appreciated thanks.
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FarleyG
Dodge Dakota
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2/12/2003
14:31:03
| RE: Fan Clutch
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2002 Qcab 4.7 - Removed the clutch fan last night. Used a small 10" pipe wrench and a cheater bar for the nut. Stuck a Phillips screwdriver in the pulley holes to stop the rotation. Gave it a quick yank, and the nut came loose easily. The engine is quieter, and I can feel a little more response.
Don't have any mileage info just yet.
The electric fan is HUGE, haven't seen any change in the temp guage, but I live in Indiana, and it is COLD right now. Plan on changing T-stat soon.
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Texas Todd
Dodge Dakota
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2/12/2003
14:53:58
| RE: Fan Clutch
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Message:
Farley,
Nice move on Nixing the fan!
Something I have to know:
Do you ever hear 'Chuck you Farley'?
8<D
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Joey
Dodge Dakota
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2/12/2003
19:34:32
| RE: Fan Clutch
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Message:
i was wondering if i could remove the clutch fan on my 2002 R/T. I live in the northeast so i doubt heat would be much of a problem so wat kind of gains could i expect to get if i remove the fan? any info would really be appreciated thanks.
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Joey
Dodge Dakota
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2/12/2003
19:34:40
| RE: Fan Clutch
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Message:
i was wondering if i could remove the clutch fan on my 2002 R/T. I live in the northeast so i doubt heat would be much of a problem so wat kind of gains could i expect to get if i remove the fan? any info would really be appreciated thanks.
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RadioMan
Dodge Dakota
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2/13/2003
17:55:58
| RE: Fan Clutch
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Message:
What is the factory T-Stat anyway? I take it, it
must be greater than 180. If factory is 190 like
most are, is 10 more gonna make any difference?
I'm thinking about removing the clutch fan but
having second thoughts of changing T-Stat because
we need all the heat we can get inside our cabs
during the winter months here in Ohio.
By the way, I have 02 with 4.7 with Multi speed.
Also has tow package and I do pull camper on long
trips twice a year.
Great site.. Good reading and advice for all of you guys! Keep it up!
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Tom
Dodge Dakota
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2/14/2003
12:47:56
| RE: Fan Clutch
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Message:
I have a 180 stat and I live in cold climate. I've been driving when its around 0-10 degrees and the heat gets so hot that I have to turn it down. I dont think that is a problem.
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kevster
Dodge Dakota
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2/14/2003
19:31:57
| RE: Fan Clutch
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Message:
Stock T stats are 195 degrees. I have a 180 in my 4.7 with the clutch fan off, works well, but at idle it only takes a few minutes and engine temp spikes to 210 and electric fan comes on. I just put the clutch fan back on.. no big deal to me.
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RadioMan
Dodge Dakota
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2/14/2003
21:10:03
| RE: Fan Clutch
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Message:
Thanks for the info, kevster. That is all I needed
to know.. You re-installed your clutch fan even
after installing a 180 degree stat.
I think I'll just leave well enough alone. My 02
Sport 4.7 runs fine so don't mess with it.
Only thing I do with all my cars, vans and trucks
every winter is, I pull the fuse for the air cond.
compressor. I can't stand it snapping on and off
all winter long just because I need defrost. On my
02 Dakota I also pulled the electric fan fuse as
well. That was kicking on and off when it
*thought* the air cond compressor was on and off.
Been doing that for years and have never lost a
compressor seal because it didn't run enough.
Again, great site!!
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chesster51
Dodge Dakota
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2/23/2003
20:19:09
| RE: Fan Clutch
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Message:
Great forum, hoping somebody here can help me. I removed my clutch fan today on my 4.7 but my application is a little different than your guys'. Mine is in a Grand Cherokee and I also have a 180 tstat. It did fine while I was driving but pulled into a parking lot and let it idle for 5 minutes and it shot up to 210 and the electric fan never came on with or without the A/C running. I tested the fan with some jumpers and it kicked right on. I guess the electric fan does not kick on until something hotter than 210. After I got back in it and drove for a couple of minutes it dropped back down to 180. I like the sound of an adjustable electric fan, Can I do this and keep my existing fan set to 180? Does it connect at the coolant temp sensor? And lastly, where could I find one? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Texas Todd
Dodge Dakota
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2/24/2003
10:04:45
| RE: Fan Clutch
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Message:
Radioman,
NOw theres a first, disconnected his ELECTRIC fan! LOL ,NOW, I've heard it all!
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Joey
Dodge Dakota
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2/24/2003
11:09:29
| RE: Fan Clutch
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Message:
is there any way to get the electric fan to go on at like 190 or 200 degrees instead of 210?
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lilbigrig
Dodge Dakota
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2/24/2003
18:39:13
| RE: Fan Clutch
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Message:
North GA Dak,
For what its worth mine went out at 28,000k the service rep said he had seen more that one fail on the 4.7s a seemingly low miles.
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