Had to do some plumbing today so I didn't get to the van til late. So I started it up and took a real close look at all the pulleys, trying to see if I can detect where the rhythm is. I soon found that the belt seemed to slightly move back and forth on the pulley that turns the fan. The movement was with the rhythm of the noise. I took off the belt and commenced to check each pulley. What I found is that the fan has some play in it. Vertically, not horizontally. I was able to move it up and down slightly, as if it was loose. There is this big nut between the fan and the pulley. All this moved in unison. I was also able to move the fan by itself. Is this normal or is the fan only supposed to move together with the pulley. Could something be loose or is something worn out where the pulley attaches? What can I do next?

 

^Replace both the fan clutch and the water pump. Neither should move vertically, the play there shows that the water pump and/or fan clutch bearings are bad. While you are at it change the belt as well and the noise will be gone.

Your noise may be the fan clutch not disengaging as it should.

 

I think you've hit the nail on the head. The strangest part of all this is that the nut holding the fan assembly was apparently lose-I was able to turn it with my hand. From the fan to the pulley everything's solid, but the whole unit is what I was able to move. I've done a lot of reading and have come to the conclusion that the main shaft bearing of the waterpump must be worn out to allow this play, and in turn must have caused the nut to work lose. I will inspect the fan clutch for leakage. If there is none, can you tell me if the fan is supposed to "free wheel" very losely, as in tap it and it should spin a few turns, or are you just supposed to be able to turn it by hand with some or a little resistance to where it won't spin continuously upon tapping it?

 

No the fan should not just free wheel easily. There should be some slight resistance to it. IMO spinning the blades of the fan that it should not turn more than 1/2 to 3/4 turn before stopping.

 

Oh boy, replacing that water-pump is time consuming. And yes, my noise was exactly like yours with the water-pump three weekends ago. The water-pump could wiggle the fan shaft out of center a good deal. Thus the scraping noise in a rythem. and yes, it got worse with acceleration.

See my thread here on how to change the stuff.

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/dodge-r...pump-dies.html

Ignore the other postings of the thread being hijacked. LOL

 

Thank you all for your input and help.I checked out your post stev-interesting. I noticed your waterpump did not have the pulley attached. I think mine comes with it from what I've seen on line. Don't look like the one currently installed is bolted either. Guess I have my work cut our for me. Might be back with more questions depending on how things go. Wish me luck

 

It was the water pump, and I did replace it. No further issues.

 

a belated update--thanks