removed the cooling fan for the winter

[jeep-N-montero]

As some of you know the 2500 model trucks come with a heavier duty cooling system and can take FOREVER to warm up in the cooler months, so last week I read up on removing the fan/clutch assembly on our 2003 Yukon 2500. After a lot of reading to support removal I decided to take it off on Saturday before we set out for many hours of shopping. All I can say is I should have done this last year as well, even with the typical parking lot traffic and letting it idle while airing up all 4 tires to proper pressures (had new tires put on the day before and Big O only put 40 pounds in load range E tires, doh!) the temps were spot on, and the heat was so much more consistent. I tossed the fan in the back in case we need it at some point but doubt we will until it's warm enough to tow the boat in 5 months. Throttle response was much better and saw 1 mpg better even before calibrating for the taller tires. Also have a complete OEM dual electric fan setup including relays going on in the spring.

 

[1stDeuce]

Sounds like you may want to replace the fan clutch if you noticed that big a difference in power/mileage... Your fan will create some drag, but shouldn't create that much all the time. It sounds likely that your fan clutch was stuck "on"... It should almost free wheel in cooler conditions, after 30 seconds or so of warmup...

Running no fan will work with light loads so long as you keep moving. Where you will have issues is if you must sit with the engine running and not moving... (Stuck in traffic, or a snowstorm?) At that point, in addition to possibly getting the engine over temp, you'll also be heat soaking everything under the hood. That's hard on electronics, including the alternator, computer, etc, and can also lead to fuel issues as the fuel in the rail gets hot and vaporizes...

I think your "fix" is really just bandaiding other issues... If your truck takes FOREVER to warm up, and removing the fan makes it warm up noticibly faster, your thermostat is having issues... Your radiator has no part in warmup when the thermostat is closed, and airflow over the engine is not terribly effective at cooling either. I'd recommend changing your thermostat ASAP, and probably replacing the fan clutch when you put the fan back on...

Good luck!

 

[Deleted member 9101]

Sounds like you need to install electric fans with the option for a manual off/on switch.

 

[Buliwyf]

If it warms up quicker now, you need a tstat replaced.

Of course, if your siphoning heat into the cabin on startup, obviously it'll heat up the engine slower. Tstat is easier to change then the fan, so why not?

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Clutch and thermostat are new this year, removing the fan simply reduces the amount of cold air moving across things and allows them to warm up quicker. Not too worried about overheating.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Sounds like you need to install electric fans with the option for a manual off/on switch.

Did you read the entire original post?

 

[(none)]

How are you monitoring water temp? I wouldn't trust the stock gauge.

 

[Deleted member 9101]

Did you read the entire original post?

I did...hence my comment included the part about a manual on and off switch.

 

[Buddha.]

Replacing an old thermostat doesn't always fix the problem. I had an underpowered 4cyl s10 and it would never get up to temp in cold weather. I replaced the thermostat three times in one month convinced i was getting faulty parts. I took off the engine driven fan and replaced it with a electric fan from a caviler. Didn't help. The engine was the size of a loaf of bread in an engine bay sized for a v8. -10-30f air was just too much for it. The only thing that worked was blocking of the radiator completely.

 

[ExplorerTom]

You'll love the efans. Colder AC I the summer too.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I did...hence my comment included the part about a manual on and off switch.

Why would I need a switch if it's being installed with all of the OEM parts and controlled by the ECU??

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Replacing an old thermostat doesn't always fix the problem. I had an underpowered 4cyl s10 and it would never get up to temp in cold weather. I replaced the thermostat three times in one month convinced i was getting faulty parts. I took off the engine driven fan and replaced it with a electric fan from a caviler. Didn't help. The engine was the size of a loaf of bread in an engine bay sized for a v8. -10-30f air was just too much for it. The only thing that worked was blocking of the radiator completely.

The radiator is 34 inches wide not including end tanks, plus it has rear heat so there are a lot of lines to move coolant through. It gets up to temp with the fan on, just want heat sooner.

 

[Deleted member 9101]

Why would I need a switch if it's being installed with all of the OEM parts and controlled by the ECU??

Because the ECU has no foresight.

 

[XJLI]

Because the ECU has no foresight.

My OEM electric fans work great. Temps start rising, they kick in high speed and it cools down to 200F in 30 seconds.

 

[Deleted member 9101]

My OEM electric fans work great. Temps start rising, they kick in high speed and it cools down to 200F in 30 seconds.

Lol... I wouldn't call that "great." OEM fans are 100% reactionary, they have no ability to be proactive. By having the ability to turn them on manually you can stop temperature spikes long before they happen. Or on the flip side of the coin you can turn then off when going through deep water/mud.

I like having options.