Hey guys I need some help....
I have a 2000 Durango 4.7 with the Heavy Duty Service Group and Trailer Tow Package. I have been having some cooling problems. I was wondering... should the belt driven fan be always turning? Also, I was wondering when the secondary electric fan should engage? I was driving around and it was over 90 outside and the gauge went over 210 degrees and the electric fan did not turn on? The needle goes over halfway even when sitting in traffic for a couple of minutes.


Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

The clutch fan should be stiff. If it is spins fairly easily look at replacing it. A few other issues you may have are: Low coolant, failing t-stat, bad water pump, or a dirty radiator. Hose that thing down and check your coolant level first off.

 

Let me be sure Green, should the fan be turning if the engine is on?

 

Yes but it will be freewheeling until it gets warm then you will have the fan clutch lock up at operating temp. One other issue I thought of is a loose belt if your tensioner is taking a dump. You would hear the belt squeal if that is an issue.

 

Mine does not stop turning. If the temp. gauge gets above 210 the car gets really loud and the performance feels restricted. Also, the smaller fan near the radiator, that's the electric fan correct? No I don't hear any belt squeal.

 

It sounds like the fan is doing its job to me. The electric fan comes on with ac running. Try turning on the ac and see if it comes on. If it doesn't you have an issue there. I cannot remember what temp the electric fan is supposed to come on at but it is supposed to come on if your truck gets hot to supplement the mechanical fan.

Also test your radiator cap.

 

aha. 1 step ahead of ya. I tested that today. I had max a/c on and only the big mechanical fan was engaged. so to be clear, the big mechanical fan should always be turning but the little electric fan should only come on when the air conditioning is running or if extra cooling is needed ie. towing, high load... is that correct?

 

Pretty much. Check out all of your cooling system and take a close look at the water pump. When they fail there is a weep hole in them that will leak coolant right behind the pulley.

 

Green You are the Man. I will check that stuff out and let you know. I know specs of cars but i dont know how they work. This stuff is all new to me. You, Sharp, Indy, Dan and Hydra know more about Durango's than the guys who designed it.

 

lol, also since your e-fan isnt turning, try jumping it right to a hot 12v and ground line, if it comes on replace the relay, if not replace the fan

should be a green connector underneath the truck