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skyking421 · 06-13-2021, 08:52 AM

As an emergency repair, I helped install two electric fans to the radiator, with a nephew that has a metal shop in California.
I intend to also eventually install a belt driven fixed fan, such as the one from Source Engineering.

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My first test was enlightening. Leaving a campground in LA area, the Engine started getting hot. I used my new manual switch to turn the electric fans on and the engine never got over 2/3 on the temp gauge. On a later stop, I found that the clutch fan was NOT engaged. The cooling was being done with the electrics alone.

As I mentioned before, I noticed that the factory fan only blows air out from the top 1/3 of the radiator and little or none from the lower 2/3. This condition does not allow the radiator to do it's full job. Later, I found the reason for this. The CAC (intercooler) is behind the radiator, but only goes from the bottom and up to the 2/3 of the radiators height. The air from the factory fan is finding the easiest way out and blows out from that top 1/3 where there is no CAC.

As an emergency repair, I helped install two electric fans to the radiator, with a nephew that has a metal shop in California.
I intend to eventually install a belt driven fixed fan, such as the one from Source Engineering.

My first test was enlightening. Leaving a campground in LA area, the Engine started getting hot. I used my new manual switch to turn the electric fans on and the engine never got over 2/3 on the temp gauge. On a later stop, I found that the clutch fan was NOT engaged. The cooling was being done with the electrics alone.

As I mentioned before, I noticed that the factory fan only blows air out from the top 1/3 of the radiator and little or none from the lower 2/3. This condition does not allow the radiator to do it's full job. Later, I found the reason for this. The CAC (intercooler) is behind the radiator, but only goes from the bottom and up to the 2/3 of the radiators height. The air from the factory fan is finding the easiest way out and blows out from that top 1/3 where there is no CAC.

I believe that, with the Source Engineering fixed fan and electrics, I will have an overheat proof diesel Journey.
Richard

99dart · 06-13-2021, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyking421

Attachment 331948

My first test was enlightening. Leaving a campground in LA area, the Engine started getting hot. I used my new manual switch to turn the electric fans on and the engine never got over 2/3 on the temp gauge. On a later stop, I found that the clutch fan was NOT engaged. The cooling was being done with the electrics alone.

As I mentioned before, I noticed that the factory fan only blows air out from the top 1/3 of the radiator and little or none from the lower 2/3. This condition does not allow the radiator to do it's full job. Later, I found the reason for this. The CAC (intercooler) is behind the radiator, but only goes from the bottom and up to the 2/3 of the radiators height. The air from the factory fan is finding the easiest way out and blows out from that top 1/3 where there is no CAC.

I believe that, with the Source Engineering fixed fan and electrics, I will have an overheat proof diesel Journey.
Richard

PERFECT!! I like the ingenuity involved! I run a 2spd electric fan from an 80's Lincoln mark VIII on my 99 Dodge Dakota that I drag race. It works great. Controlled by thermostat slow comes on at 180 degrees, high at 195.

Alschief · 09-20-2021, 06:24 AM

If still available please send the Cooling info to me.
Alsmith@olemac.net

basketball · 11-04-2021, 07:30 AM

Check basketball replies on clutch fan.

skyking421 · 11-05-2021, 06:36 AM

We finished our 4 month tour of the country without any more problems, after getting a new fan clutch installed at Freightliner.

It turned out that "Source Engineering" wasn't getting their fixed fan order and I needed extra cooling. Shame, since it probably would work well.

The two electric fans helped, but did not provide enough cooling in 90* temperatures, when going up hills. The Journey needed more, so we arranged to have the original fan clutch replaced at Freightliner in Redding, CA. The mechanic was familiar with fan clutch changes and was able to change it from under the coach. He did not have to remove any other parts. This saved much time and money.

I previously had taken out the fuse, that controlled the fan clutch. Removing that fuse allows the fan to run full speed, if the fan clutch is not worn out. My fan clutch was worn out, so it still overheated. With the new fan clutch installed, I decided to put the fuse back in. For some reason, the engine started to overheat again. Took out the fuse again and no hint of any overheating over the next 2 months of travel.

The fuse situation is strange, since it would indicate two problems. One being an obvious bad fan clutch and the other being erroneous signals from the ECM, allowing the fan to shut down.

To sum it up, new fan clutch and no fuse equals no overheating, even in extreme heat and mountains.

Richard

tacaem · 11-05-2021, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyking421

We finished our 4 month tour of the country without any more problems, after getting a new fan clutch installed at Freightliner.

It turned out that "Source Engineering" wasn't getting their fixed fan order and I needed extra cooling. Shame, since it probably would work well.

The two electric fans helped, but did not provide enough cooling in 90* temperatures, when going up hills. The Journey needed more, so we arranged to have the original fan clutch replaced at Freightliner in Redding, CA. The mechanic was familiar with fan clutch changes and was able to change it from under the coach. He did not have to remove any other parts. This saved much time and money.

I previously had taken out the fuse, that controlled the fan clutch. Removing that fuse allows the fan to run full speed, if the fan clutch is not worn out. My fan clutch was worn out, so it still overheated. With the new fan clutch installed, I decided to put the fuse back in. For some reason, the engine started to overheat again. Took out the fuse again and no hint of any overheating over the next 2 months of travel.

The fuse situation is strange, since it would indicate two problems. One being an obvious bad fan clutch and the other being erroneous signals from the ECM, allowing the fan to shut down.

To sum it up, new fan clutch and no fuse equals no overheating, even in extreme heat and mountains.

Richard

Did you notice and decrease in fuel mileage after replacing fan and removing Fuse

dirt40 · 11-08-2021, 04:41 PM

Can you tell me where your fuse was located? I couldn't find mine.

skyking421 · 11-09-2021, 07:01 AM

tacaem,
We always calculated mileage, when we filled up. It is hard to eliminate the effects of mountains, wind and speed, but our mileage did not decrease with the fan on continuous full speed. We saw mileages vary from 8 to 10 mpg on the 12,000 mile trip. I usually drove at 65 mph, but did increase to 70 mph about 20% of the time and we were always towing our Chev Equinox.
It was a GREAT relief to not have any overheating. With the new fan clutch, engine temps stayed right at 189*, regardless of the hills.

My suggestion: Since these clutches fail at about 40,000 miles, change it BEFORE taking any long trip. A good DIYer can do it from underneath, without removing CAC and Radiator. That's what Freightliner did. It is hard to get at, but do-able with the proper tools. Might save you $1k or $2k and prevent a wreck.

BTW, my old clutch showed no signs of leaking.

Dirt40,
The fan fuse on the Journey 34Y, was located in a black box on the upper left of the battery compartment. It had a label that said something like "Chassis Manufacturer Components". The box was about 8" wide by 4" tall.

tacaem · 11-09-2021, 09:37 AM

Skyking421

Thanks for your response to me. Like you just pulling the fuse did not help with over heating when climbing hills. I changed the clutch my self 3 years ago (no help), so I had the thermostat change (no help). I was thinking about putting the electric fans on as indicated in this forum but after reading about you pulling the fuse with the new clutch I will try that this winter when I go to Arizona.
What was the highest temperature your engine git to and did it ever get hot enough to shut the engine down?

AcftEngr · 11-09-2021, 02:45 PM

Maybe this series of pics will help someone! The fuses were located on the drivers side of the coach near the inverter. Can’t figure out how to rotate pics ?

skyking421 · 11-09-2021, 03:28 PM

tacaem,
When overheating, the gauge would go right into the redline area. The display would beep and show "Stop Engine"!
I always found a place to pull over, before having a forced engine shutdown. Idleing the engine always cooled it down.
Avoid this problem at all costs! It is extremely frustrating and usually dangerous.

Douglee25 · 11-09-2021, 07:28 PM

Running that fan without the fuse will lead to premature clutch failure.

I would suspect there is still an issue at hand.

If you did want to continue running the fan at full speed, I believe there may be a kit or hub that you can purchase to make the fan direct drive.

tim07 · 05-07-2022, 08:17 AM

So I'm just learning of this issue. My sons 2011 Berkshire 360 QS is having this isssue. Our diesel repair company suggested a switch which they have installed to make the fan run all the time. So far no overheating issues. Is this an acceptable fix? Could anyone who replaced their clutch fan with a fixed fan, ( such as the one from Source Engineering Inc.) please give me an update if changing the fan has cured the problem? Also, does anyone know if this problem was solved in newer motorhomes using Cummins engines by them using fan clutches other than Horton. Thank you.

wolfe10 · 05-07-2022, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tim07

Our diesel repair company suggested a switch which they have installed to make the fan run all the time.

IMO, NO, not a good solution. YES, a reasonable short-term "work around".

But, you will be paying all the HP and lost MPG to run the fan more than it should be.

My first suspect is that the cooling package is not clean-- that the front of the CAC is clogged. This really needs to be cleaned at least once a year on a rear radiator coach.

I would like for you to find the root cause of the overheating and address that. Yes, if the fan clutch is not operating as designed, address that, but not by making it run hard all the time.