Fan clutch and long trips

[slimnottygirl]

My 02 trailblazer has just started showing symtoms of a bad fan clutch, it is only revving high the odd day and only for a couple mins. We have a family trip planned which is a four hour drive there and 4 hours home how safe am i taking this truck and what could happen and how worse will it get?

[fortcarp]

I think your condition is normal. I notice on my '03 it does it too just as you descibed. Seems mine does it on really hot days which makes sense, although the 10 seconds at start up that it runs I've read on here is due to the viscous fluid inside the assembly itself, something about needing to fully rotate, if that makes sense. I think you'll be fine, as long as it doesn't stay on for extended periods of time or you get any DTCs. Max & Joel are the authorities on this truck, I look forward to hearing their inputs. If memory recalls, look at the assembly as it runs and not at operating temp. It should be spinning, just slowly. Also after shutoff spin it at operating temp, it should provide about the same resistance as a properly adjusted brake rotor.

[slimnottygirl]

Thank you for your reply my truck is doing it on hot days for approx 1-2min right after start up then it starts to act fine, is this normal?