Fan runs constantly and sporadic chirping noise
 

Recently the fan on my 95 Tacoma 2.7 has increased in loudness, as if it is constantly "on". Clutch? I also get sporadic chirping noises that I can't replicate. This happens cold or warm, engine and outside temp. Belts are tight. The truck doesn't overheat. I drive this mostly for short trips around town but once or twice a month I have to drive up to 9 hrs one way, so I'm slightly paranoid about having something break in the middle of BFE Kentucky,Tenn,Missouri or Arkansas. I did a search, but didn't come up with much. If there is something that I missed in the forum please send me that way. Thanks.

The fan started making a lot of noise on my wife's 4runner and then one day the bearing seized up and wouldn't turn the fan anymore, good thing we were only about 10 miles from home. The clutch for the fan also takes oil and there is a way IIRC to change the oil inside of the clutch, maybe something to look into, have you checked the resistance on the fan when you turn it by hand?

Motor turned off and it is difficult to turn by hand, it moves but it needs some coercion. Not going to stick my hand in there while it's running!

Well I didn't mean to stick your hand in while running, if it is very hard to turn by hand then your clutch is seized up and needs replaced.

I read another post on this forum where someone stuck there hand in the blades while it was turning.
James, thanks for the verification. I thought that may be what it is, but wanted some feedback.

So, now I need to decide whether or not to go with OEM or an aftermarket electric fan. Cost is going to be the main factor, as I plan on selling this truck sometime next year. Need the extra money saved for the next one.

This seems to be the critter:
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sk...%26+Drivetrain

Got the radiator out, the fan off and trying to loosen the four nuts on the main pulley. Very hard with a shorty wrench. May have to buy a longer one for this.

Finally got the fan clutch in. A grinder may not be recommended, but it will take care of mistakes made during removal. Found out much to my dismay that the fan shroud has a removable section to help with the removal of said shroud. I found that when i decided I should clean it. Would have made things a bit easier, maybe.

I stripped two of the nuts that connect the clutch to the pulley, so had to grind the old clutch off and grind flat spots on the nuts so a vise grip would remove the nuts. It's dark, so waiting for tomorrow to put everything back together. Good time to flush the engine and repaint the skid plate.

Any other things I should do while I'm at this point? I could use a new grill from the deer I hit in TX several years ago, but that will have to wait.

Replace the auxillary belts, fresh coolant, new radiator hoses?

The hoses are probably up for a change, had one bust out at the Buffalo River a few years back. Put new ones on after limping home. Fresh coolant has been bought, belts are good, the mechanic I use when I have to just did a thorough tune up a few thousand ago.


Thanks for the reply.