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Normal Behavior or Possible Fan Clutch Issue

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by SteveT, Oct 18, 2021.

  1. Oct 18, 2021 at 7:01 PM
    #1
    SteveT

    SteveT [OP] New Member

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    LugNutz
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    None yet. Just good ole maintenance
    Hey all - first timer and first post - thanks for listening!

    So, I have a 2002 SR5 AC in generally very good condition with 192K on it. Just bought it pre-owned from original owner and it was garaged and never been towed with, no rust at all! (even in eastern PA!) I've been doing many PM and general health items to it (oil, trans 4 qt. drain, fuel filter, serpentine belt, struts and shocks, complete front brakes) Currently has 94K on 2nd timing belt that appears in good condition.

    Now for the issue; I thought this was normal at first and and was just an old truck thing. I noticed when accelerating from a standstill through shifts into 2nd and 3rd that the engine roars/howls too loudly, but the shifts are nice and clean. After observing for a week I came to realize this only starts to happen after the engine comes up to temperature and has nothing to do with the drivetrain. I can reproduce the issue when idling in park and rev the engine ever so slightly. After initial cold start and brief fan roar, the engine can rev and it sounds normal, then after temp comes up to normal (half gauge) the roar/howl is there at acceleration. When I manually spin the fan after warm shutdown, it only travels about 5 inches. When spinning it at dead cold in the morning it will spin maybe 3 blade positions (1-1.5 ft)

    Does any of this sound normal or is it possibly a fan clutch issue? How free spinning should the fan be when warm or cold, and should the fan ever stop during normal operating conditions? To the best of my knowledge, my fan never stops. I should also point out that it doesn't do it this way when idling at normal RPMs or does it occur randomly, only at throttle revs or normal acceleration. No other squeals or whines, just the loud engine roar.

    I hope that's not too much rambling and certainly appreciate any feedback. I have no problem spending the coin on a new fan clutch but just hate replacing things unnecessarily. Maybe something else and not fan clutch?

    Thanks alot,
    Steve
     
    1kTyy_1 likes this.
  2. Oct 18, 2021 at 7:12 PM
    #2
    Desert Dog

    Desert Dog Nobody rides for free

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    Welcome. If the fan only turns 3-5" by hand when spinning it, it is definitely on its way out and I would replace it at this point. It should spin freely about a full rotation by hand.
     
  3. Oct 19, 2021 at 3:58 AM
    #3
    bmf4069

    bmf4069 Yup, that's car parts in a dishwasher

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    It's not too hard to replace either. I pulled the radiator out when I did mine to give myself A LOT more room.
     
  4. Oct 19, 2021 at 12:47 PM
    #4
    SteveT

    SteveT [OP] New Member

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    Thanks very much for the input. New Aisin clutch ordered from Rockauto. Other than the slow free spin, do my other symptoms point to the fan clutch as well?
     
  5. Oct 19, 2021 at 3:24 PM
    #5
    Desert Dog

    Desert Dog Nobody rides for free

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    Good call. And yes, the other symptoms do point to it being the culprit. Thankfully it's a very simple system and easy to diagnose since there really isnt much to it to misdiagnose. You will notice a significant difference in the function of your fan and its engagement once the new thermostatic clutch is installed.
     
  6. Oct 21, 2021 at 5:14 PM
    #6
    SteveT

    SteveT [OP] New Member

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    Thank you boys!! New fan clutch did the trick. The truck drives like a completely different vehicle, so smooth through acceleration. The mount nuts are a bit tedious to deal with, but a couple shaved knuckles later, the clutch went in fine.

    Very psyched this was the fix.

    Thanks again,
    Steve
     
    Voss, bmf4069, Tundra2 and 4 others like this.
  7. Oct 21, 2021 at 5:24 PM
    #7
    Desert Dog

    Desert Dog Nobody rides for free

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    Glad to help and glad to hear.
     
    Tundra2 likes this.
  8. Oct 21, 2021 at 7:44 PM
    #8
    1kTyy_1

    1kTyy_1 New Member

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    Did you watch a tutorial on how to change? If so which did you watch. How long did it take you to complete. Just general questions, don't have to answer if u don't want too
     
  9. Oct 21, 2021 at 8:02 PM
    #9
    Toyoda Tundra

    Toyoda Tundra Boxing and Tundras

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    The beginning of this video shows how to remove the fan clutch with a tool. https://youtu.be/RWVFOdha9eA
     
  10. Oct 22, 2021 at 2:54 PM
    #10
    SteveT

    SteveT [OP] New Member

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    I didn't see that one but I'll give it a look. I watched this one on youtube:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAy...el=1AAuto:RepairTips&SecretsOnlyMechanicsKnow

    Very straight forward. Tips I can offer: clean up the mount threads and buy new mounting nuts to allow fingertip threading easier. And, don't drain the entire radiator, just until it clears the upper hose volume. I didn't pull shroud out, just unfastened, pushed it towards engine, and pulled fan out between shroud and body.

    That'll do it.
     
  11. Oct 22, 2021 at 3:15 PM
    #11
    assassin10000

    assassin10000 New Member

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    I didn't even do that much. I removed the skid plate, unclipped the lower shroud piece and dropped the fan & clutch down to get it out.
     
  12. Oct 22, 2021 at 8:17 PM
    #12
    SteveT

    SteveT [OP] New Member

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    Good point, I didn't even notice the shroud split in two like that until I was putting everything back together.
     
  13. Oct 23, 2021 at 3:46 AM
    #13
    tvpierce

    tvpierce Formerly New Member

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    This would be the perfect time to replace that 15 year old radiator to avoid a pink milkshake. If you're draining the coolant and removing the shroud, the job is already half done.
     
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  14. Jun 11, 2023 at 7:06 AM
    #14
    chaas

    chaas New Member

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    I had the same issue so I changed the fan clutch but it didn't fix the problem, the fan is still engaged all the time. Is it possible they sold me a bad part or maybe it's something else? Thanks!
     
  15. Jun 11, 2023 at 12:54 PM
    #15
    shifty`

    shifty` The Second Shortcoming of Christ

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    My fan is actually engaged all the time also. I got confused when someone on here said theirs wasn't. I think I got corrected on it, actually, but chose to keep my mouth shut because I wasn't 100% sure.
     
  16. Jun 11, 2023 at 1:11 PM
    #16
    assassin10000

    assassin10000 New Member

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    What did you buy and where? It's possible to get fake parts from e'bay/am-azon/etc.

    If it's fully engaged and 'roaring' all the time, then it's probably bad.
     
  17. Jun 11, 2023 at 3:01 PM
    #17
    Aerindel

    Aerindel New Member

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    What do you mean engaged? You can't turn it without turning the engine while cold?
     
  18. Jun 11, 2023 at 4:38 PM
    #18
    shifty`

    shifty` The Second Shortcoming of Christ

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    Is engine running?
    • YES => Fan is spinning
    • NO => Fan is not spinning
     
  19. Jun 11, 2023 at 5:24 PM
    #19
    Aerindel

    Aerindel New Member

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    This is normal. The fan is never completely disengaged. The difference is that when cold and not running, you can turn the fan, with mild resistance by hand. When hot, the fan is 'locked' to the driveshaft and turns at the same speed.
     
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  20. Jun 12, 2023 at 5:50 AM
    #20
    shifty`

    shifty` The Second Shortcoming of Christ

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    This was my understanding also. Thanks for confirming. :thumbsup:
     
  21. Jun 19, 2023 at 5:56 PM
    #21
    chaas

    chaas New Member

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    Thanks for all the responses, good to hear it's normal. Was just concerned because of how loud it is when accelerating.
     
  22. Jun 20, 2023 at 8:38 PM
    #22
    assassin10000

    assassin10000 New Member

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    If loud all the time, then it may be bad.

    If only for the first few minutes after startup and when engine is actually 'hot' (loaded/towing up grades or after stopping at a light in 90+ degree weather), then it's probably fine.
     
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