radiator fan (V8 2WD Sport Edition)

[villahidalgo]

I've had my 4runner for about a month, with barely 1,200 miles on it. I went on a trip through So Cal desert and into Nevada (+100 F outside temp), and it seemed the radiator fan was running all the time (I could hear a hum), even at speeds above 75 mph. The truck felt heavy, like if I was driving on strong headwind, and the mileage dropped about 3 or 4 mpg. As soon as I went up the mountains into Utah and the temp dropped, the problem ceased and the truck was running great with more power. Has anyone had this problem? is it normal? To me it seems that driving at that speed the radiator fan would be useless.
Thanks...

 

[ptung07]

Hi,
Is your air condition running? Sometimes after I drive on the highway with the AC on, the car feels "heavy" and when accelerating, it is loud. It sounds like a fan inside the compartment is blowing on max or something like you were describing. When I were to turn off the AC and accelerate, it feels and "sounds" more normal. I am not sure if its the radiator fan that is the loud sound or the engine because of the AC load.

 

[villahidalgo]

Yes, the AC was on. However, it only seems to happen in hot weather, +100 F. I just wasn't sure if it was normal.

Hi,
Is your air condition running? Sometimes after I drive on the highway with the AC on, the car feels "heavy" and when accelerating, it is loud. It sounds like a fan inside the compartment is blowing on max or something like you were describing. When I were to turn off the AC and accelerate, it feels and "sounds" more normal. I am not sure if its the radiator fan that is the loud sound or the engine because of the AC load.

 

[ptung07]

Yeah, I just got back from a 300 round trip to the lake. I tried out what you did in your 4Runner. I turned on my AC and hit the pedal. You can definally hear the engine and you feel some lag. The next time: I was passing this person on the divided highway, I turned off the A/C. Then I floored it and it was very quick and wasn't as loud. I am pretty sure its coming from the AC and its extra load on the engine. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[4RNR-LOVN]

I went on a trip through So Cal desert and into Nevada (+100 F outside temp), and it seemed the radiator fan was running all the time (I could hear a hum), even at speeds above 75 mph. The truck felt heavy, like if I was driving on strong headwind, and the mileage dropped about 3 or 4 mpg. As soon as I went up the mountains into Utah and the temp dropped, the problem ceased and the truck was running great with more power. Has anyone had this problem? is it normal? To me it seems that driving at that speed the radiator fan would be useless.
Thanks...

Yep, that's the cooling fan for the engine and it's totally normal at temps above 100F (nothing to do with the A/C). It's probably my only complaint on an otherwise brilliant V8 engine. You would think it would cut-off at speeds above 30-40 but it doesn't, and you can definitely feel the decrease in power when it kicks in.

 

[villahidalgo]

Re: Re: radiator fan (V8 2WD Sport Edition)

Yep, that's the cooling fan for the engine and it's totally normal at temps above 100F (nothing to do with the A/C). It's probably my only complaint on an otherwise brilliant V8 engine. You would think it would cut-off at speeds above 30-40 but it doesn't, and you can definitely feel the decrease in power when it kicks in.

Thanks for your input. I also think the engine is great, except for that issue. At first I thought the radiator fan clutch was not working properly, but it seems that is the way it is supposed to.