Anyone here fully versed in exactly how our fan clutches work?
I'm on a haul from CA to OK currently in some pretty high temps- 110*+ towing about 8k.
I recently replaced my original fan clutch because it had been throwing a failure code for the past couple years consistently. I acquired a used one, and thought it was good to go prior to my trip as its doesnt throw any codes, and works at low rpm (idle) where my original slipped enough or didn't engage enough to keep the AC pressures in check. Anyway, now out on the road, I hear it cycle on and off constantly. Engages for 10 seconds anywhere from 208*- 213*
My temps are all over the place and it has me stressed out. We left Tuscon today after the truck had sat in the sun for about 3 hours and the fan stayed engaged for about an hour solid. Outside temp was 110* and with it locked solid, the engine stayed anywhere from186*-194*. After an hour or so it began cycling again, but not until the temps got to 212+ but only for 10 seconds at a time which only brings the temp down to about 208.

This action seems odd to me and I assume I'll need to replace the fan clutch again but this time with a new one. Anyone care to share how theirs works?

 

In a recent trip to the Sierras, I was towing my 12K fifth wheel in 104* temps. On hills, I frequently hit 212*+ and heard the fan come on. Once I got on the flats again, it would drop back down to the 190s. Are you sure something is wrong with yours?

On edit: I just noticed you mentioned it cycling on/off. I didn't notice mine doing that.

 

are U on flat land or are U pulling hills is u'r truck a auto, the torque converter may be slipping slightly and will run up the temp, U'r system may be working properly with that outside heat, figure your load, are u in od or tow haul?

 

Truck is in my sig. - of course it's an auto. Do people have to worry about temps on a manual??? This condition is anywhere and any condition. OD, Tow/Haul, flat, hills, anything but going down hill. On downhills it will actually cool down. Today temps were less. Anywhere from 93-99* and it would run @ 208* almost all the time. Randomly the fan would come on drop things to 204, then be back up to 208 within a few miles. In the early AM the temps stayed at 195 for about an hour, then once the hills came so did the higher temps, and then really never went back down.

 

Yeah, I'd be completely happy and feel things were working as they should if when the fan engaged it brought the temp back to normal 195, it clearly has the capacity to keep things cool as yesterday when it was staying locked it did the job and then some.

 

Excuse Me, since my eye sight went out I noticed NJM drives a 2004.5 3500 etc. and Gcssr drives a 2004.5 2500 etc and TORI drives a Ford, Chevy, Toyota or what ever, one hump or two, go ahead and finish trashing it. Or fill out your sig. so everyone can see what U;r driving, Was tranny serviced, clean bugs and etc. out of radiator's, note we only make suggestions, not road side services.