I have a 1997 dodge dakota V6. I noticed a sort of scraping sound coming from the engine, and i realized it was the fan. It spins freely with no resistance. Is it just a bolt or something i have to replace or do i need a whole new fan?

 

We will need more info.

Is the fan hitting something? I think on the 97 you have a regular fan + an electric fan.

From what you describe it could be a million things.

1. Is the sound coming from the fan or the engine?
2. Could it be an idler pully that needs a shot of WD-40? I've had that before.
3. Is something hitting the fan? Bent shroud or maybe a small stick or debris in the rad sticking into the fan?
4. Is there something touching any of the accessories, alt, air etc making the scraping sound?

My first guess would be something in the shroud or touching the fan. With the engine off spin the fan by hand & see if it hits anything.

After that - maybe the fan clutch. This is the center of the fan - at low RPM the fan spins at engine speed - at highway speed the fan actually gets in the way of airflow & the clutch disengages it for better fuel econ & airflow. I've never heard of one squeeling or scraping - jsut failing & you have no fan at low speed.

Idler pullys need bearings often enough - shoot them with WD & see if the prob goes away.

 

well when i changed the power steering pump and pulley i remember that the fan did not move as easily as it does now. it is like it is missing a bolt or something. the fan does not hit anything it just spins freely with out resistance. it just happened today so tomorrow i will take it apart and look at it. i was just wondering if anyone had this problem before

 

thats how clutch fans are designed to work. All they are is a thermo-mechanical fluid coupling.

 

yes i know it could move a little but not as much as it is doing so now. even when i turn it off the fan spins for a good five seconds on its own. before it would just stop right away

 

sounds like a bad fan clutch

 

If the fan continues to spin after the truck is turned off it is bad. I'd never heard of one making a scraping sound before, but you never know.

It should be firm when off (but you can move it) and release at high speed. So if it is released now - you won't get much cooling in traffic if any at all.

 

just a side note, only 2000+ models have the electric fan and clutch fan.

On topic: Your problem is your fan clutch, if it has never been replaced they tend to warp slightly and get worse over time. Your best bet would be to replace it, 49.99 and autozone!