There was a wooing noise like a lot of wind coming from my engine compartment when the truck was cold and then disappeared when warmed up. I suspected it was the clutch fan and took it in to Ford to have it replaced under warranty which they did. When I got it back the noise was gone so I was happy. When I got home I was inspecting the engine compartment just to make sure everything was in order and that was when I noticed to my surprise that my metal clutch fan was now replaced with a plastic flex fan. Is this a newer model plastic fan that the 04's come with? I'm somewhat happy about it because the heavy metal fan is no more and a lighter fan should make a little more power because of less rotating mass. What do you guys think?

 

You may be glad to hear that my 2003 came with the plastic fan.

You may not be glad to hear that the 1999 and 2000's I've seen also had plastic fans. I'm suprised to hear you had a metal fan in yours. Others in this forum may know if that is normal.

The whoosing noise is caused by a failure of the fan clutch (in the hub) to release as it warms up. I don't think the plastic fan is a flex fan. Flex fans usually have fixed hubs and the blades flatten out as rpm increases. The speed of the lightning fan is controlled by the fan clutch.

 

My 2001 came new with a plastic fan. Thats odd that yours had a metal one.

 

When I removed my "clutch" fan and replaced it with an "E" fan I recall that it was plastic as well. ('01Model)

 

My 04' bought in July this year came w/ the plastic clutch fan as well.

 

Same here - my '04 came with a plastic fan.

 

Yeah, it's odd then. My old fan was black and metal and the new one is white and plastic, anyways I'm glad it's normal to have the plastic one and happy the noise is no more. Thanks for all the replys.

Bert.

 

The metal fan sounds like a mistake from the factory.