Engine roaring-power loss

[vicjano]

I have a 2008 Dakota Sport Crew Cab 4X2 with the 4.7 V8. I've owned it since January 09, but have driven it sparingly, but now drive it full time since retiring my Ranger. Ordinarily while running on the street it has sort of a deep solid sound and feel. Since I've owned it, 24 times out of 25 when I start it in the morning, it makes a roaring noise from the engine. I back it out of my driveway and the roaring continues with a decided loss of power up the street for about a block. After this distance, it's like it sort of shifts down and the normal deep engine noise and power is back. The vehicle has only 2500 miles on it, and now sometimes does it during the day when I stop somewhere and then restart the engine. I've had it back to the dealership 3 times, and it won't do it for them, so they say they don't know what to fix. One mechanic says the fan clutch has to heat up before it acts normal. Why the hell should that be? I owned a 1999 Dakota with the 5.2 magnum and none of this happened. To me it feels like the oil drains out of the torque converter, and when it fills up, away we go. Any suggestions?

[99Dakota]

sounds like the clutch fan. normal.

[Grapejuice1998]

sounds like the clutch fan. normal.

I agree. It's supposed to do that. If it ever locks up and roars 100% of the time, then you have a problem.

If you want it to go away, you will have to convert to an electric fan and do away with the bladed one.

[fawsonj]

this is normal for dodge trucks my old 99 dakota did it and my 08 dakota does it

[vicjano]

Thanks to everyone who set my mind at ease, although it doesn't make me happy. It still doesn't do it about 1 out of 10 now. Thanks for responding

[Grapejuice1998]

Thanks to everyone who set my mind at ease, although it doesn't make me happy. It still doesn't do it about 1 out of 10 now. Thanks for responding

If it ends up locking up (roaring) 100% of the time, OR, if you end up having a cooling problem where it runs abnormally hot, replace the "fan clutch".
Or, invest in a dedicated electric fan.

[vicjano]

Now that you guys got me pointed in the right direction, when it gets to bothering me too much, I'll know what to go after. Thanks again.

[Grapejuice1998]

Now that you guys got me pointed in the right direction, when it gets to bothering me too much, I'll know what to go after. Thanks again.

Any time! :D

[Mystake]

is that what it is?

the durango tends to do it as well, I quite frankly enjoy the roar.

What is actually making the roar, the clutch fan? By not being engaged?

I thought the clutch fan came on when the engine got warm, or with the a/c turned on.

if it IS the fan that comes on with the a/c, then the roar I hear from when I first start up the Durango is much much different. I personally thought it was the engine warming up/running rich on startup.

[99Dakota]

the roaring you hear is when the clutch fan is Engaged. its running fully with the serp. belt speed and motor speed which will make it get louder and also suck power while fully engaged. when its disengaged you shouldnt hear it and it should still me moving somewhat slowly to keep air flowing threw the rad.
clutch fan does not come on with a/c. only when temps reach around 210 or so. if u have a clutch and e-fan which newer truck 00+ did then ur e-fan will run with the a/c compresssor.

[bob97sst]

My 02 Durango R/T does this at almost every start up. It is definately the clutch fan, couple of blocks down the road it disengages and things go back to normal. It is annoying but I have not seen any problems from this behavior yet.

I will be moving to a dedicated e-fan setup in the future.

[rollers888]

my 98 durango does it and has for the past 8 years. but whats some of the benefits of switching to an electric fan?

[Primus]

my 98 durango does it and has for the past 8 years. but whats some of the benefits of switching to an electric fan?

Less drag on the engine which means some freed-up horsepower. Plus, it will be quieter than before. However, the electric fan needs to be able to push a lot of cfm or you will overheat, well, that's what some say about the stock electric fan while others have said it does a good enough job by itself. It's up to you to decide if just the stocker will work fine or you have heavy duty needs, then you will need to get a high cfm electric fan.

[rollers888]

Less drag on the engine which means some freed-up horsepower. Plus, it will be quieter than before. However, the electric fan needs to be able to push a lot of cfm or you will overheat, well, that's what some say about the stock electric fan while others have said it does a good enough job by itself. It's up to you to decide if just the stocker will work fine or you have heavy duty needs, then you will need to get a high cfm electric fan.

i mean i dont really use my truck for any hauling except for a little trash off or a 4 wheeler every now and then. so what is the usual price difference between the stock and a high cfm fan?

[Josh_101]

It doesn't always have to be warm for the clutch fan to lock. They'll stick when cold/first started up like in the morning and then loosing up. Sometimes it'll stay locked untill you take it on the road.

vicjano, you can try just taking the clutch fan out and drive around without it for a while, see if you'll like it that way. A bunch of guys (including me) have taken the clutch fan off our 4.7's and have been just fine without it. The e-fan will run more often at a stand still but it still keeps the engine cool.

[Rob454]

Remove the clutch fan and see if it still does it. if it stops thats the problem Sounds normal though

[SRTopDog]

What is the difference between the "clutch fan" and the "e-fan"? I am confused...does my 4.7 2001 Durango have both? Is the "e-fan" electric, or does that mean "e"mergency? As in a back up fan?

Thanks.

[bob97sst]

e-fan means electrical fan.

My 01 Dak and 02 Dur have both and if I understand correctly the e-fan comes on when the A/C is on and/or when temperatures are too high.

[Bos-R/T]

i mean i dont really use my truck for any hauling except for a little trash off or a 4 wheeler every now and then. so what is the usual price difference between the stock and a high cfm fan?

This is by far the best and the cheapest way to go from a clutch fan to an efan. The factory efan will work if your summer days arent very hot. Here in Alabama the factory efan couldnt kick it during the summer days. On this thread of mine I ended up paying a total of 100.00 on a shroud and a 4000cfm efan. And you dont have to have a shroud. I just liked the way it looked. I ran the jeep efan without a shroud for a couple months and it did fine.

http://www.dakota-durango.com/forum/showthread.php?t=100352