All,

My D is roaring like crazy when I accelerate. It seems to do this between 1st - 3rd gears. Not sure if this is the fan clutch or not??? How do you know when it goes bad?

2001 Durango
5.9L
4X4

Thanks,
Mark

 

Hi mark. Do you have a aux e-fan? I'm asking cause if your e-fan is not working, then it will cause the fan clutch to work overtime to cool off the engine. Try spinning the clutch fan when the engine is cold and if it spins freely, you need to replace it. If it stops spinning almost immediately after you relase it, then it's fine. Now for the e-fan, if you have one. Could be the fan relay is bad or a loose connection, or it could be your e-fan is toast. Easiest way to find out is to get under your D and take off the "skid" plate and look for the connection from the relay to he fan. Unplug it and run a couple of wires from the fan to the battery. If the fan spins, then it could be the fan relay. It's located in the big fuse box located on the driver's side near the battery. The relays usually are interchangeable so pull one off another circuit. and test it out. Best way is to run your a/c, see if the fan turns on. If so, then you need to replace the fan relay. If you don't have an e-fan. HTH.

 

Mark, that roar is the mechanical clutch fan. It doesn't hurt much to leave it (a tad more wear and tear long term and a tad bad on the gas mileage.) As it warms up, it will go away for the most part.

The fan is dryed out (there is a gel-fluid inside believe it or not), old and just stuck on so it could just be replaced. IMHO, swap the setup for all-electric eliminating the little stocker aux-electric fan and the mech fan if you are going to mess with it.

IndyDurango

 

When cold it can do that but usually disengages after about 1 mile or under. It should also lock up when the motor gets hot about 200 degrees F or so.

If it doesn't disengage or engage or has movement (side to side or up and down or leakage) then replace the fan clutch.