My fan is hitting a pulley? what is it hitting, why, and can I drive safely to the mechanic or parts store?

It is not recommended to bypass the fan hydraulic pulley system on a 2002 Lincoln LS 3.9, as the system is an important part of the vehicle's cooling system. The fan hydraulic pulley system, also known as a fan clutch, is responsible for regulating the speed of the engine's cooling fan, which helps to keep the engine at the correct temperature.
If the fan hydraulic pulley system is not functioning properly, it could cause the engine to overheat, which could lead to serious damage. If you are experiencing issues with the fan hydraulic pulley system on your 2002 Lincoln LS 3.9, it is important to have it properly diagnosed and repaired by a qualified mechanic.
Bypassing the fan hydraulic pulley system is not a safe or effective way to address any issues with the system, and it could potentially cause further problems with your vehicle's cooling system. If you are having difficulty with the fan hydraulic pulley system, it is recommended that you seek the assistance of a qualified mechanic who can diagnose and repair the issue properly.

follow this steps and fix it. God bless you

1. Determine the Reason for Water Pump Failure
   • 1 Repair a water pump by checking your car for a failure in the bearings. You can test for bearing failure by seeing if there is any play in the shaft that is connected to the electrical fan blades, as well as the drive pulley to the pump itself.
     
   • 2 If you notice any free play in the shaft or the pulley, you will need to take the pump apart and replace the bearings.
     
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   • 3 Determine if the water pump failure is due to a leak in the casing. Examine the water pump housing for leaking or water stains in the drainage hole next to the pulley.
     
   • 4 If water is dripping from this hole, then the seals inside the pump need to replaced in order to repair the pump.
     
   Remove the Water Pump for Repair
   • 5 Allow the engine to cool completely before removing any part of the cooling system. Never open a radiator cap or plug while the engine is still warm.
     
   • 6 Disconnect the car battery. This will prevent the electrical fan from turning on while you are under the hood.
     
   • 7 Drain the radiator of all fluid and disconnect the radiator hoses. Collect the fluid with a plastic container and keep it in a safe place until you are ready to put it back into the radiator.
     
   • 8 Remove the fan assembly. This will include the shroud, the fan and the fan belt. Disconnect the electrical leads for the fan.
     
   • 9 Remove the pulley for the fan belt as well in order to have access to the water pump.
     
   • 10 Use a socket set to remove the water pump from its engine mount.
     
   • 11 Open the housing for the water pump and replace the seals or bearing as necessary. Some auto parts stores carry repair kits that have both the seals and bearings for specific types of water pumps.
     
   • 12 Reassemble the cooling system by replacing the water pump, pulley, fan belt, fan assembly and radiator hoses. Refill the radiator with the fluid.
     
   • 13 Start the engine to see if the water pump repair was successful. Check for leaks before you take the car out on the road.
     

Check with Autozone and discuss your problem. They know what they are talking about and have always come up with the right parts or belts for me. I used to be a mechanic in my youth and I never go anywhere else.........

too much to type...you should go to an auto parts store and get a book on your truck about $20,00 it will have all the specs....

Water Pump Replacement Removal Procedure

Caution: In order to avoid being burned, do not service the engine while it is still hot. Service the engine when it is cool.

1. Drain the coolant from the radiator. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling .
2. Remove the air cleaner assembly. Refer to Air Cleaner Assembly Replacement in Engine Controls.
3. Remove the Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor. Refer to Mass Airflow Sensor Replacement in Engine Controls.
4. Remove the upper fan shroud. Refer to Engine Coolant Fan Upper Shroud Replacement .
5. Remove the drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement in Engine Mechanical.
6. Remove the fan and fan blade clutch assembly. Refer to Fan Replacement .
   
   
   
7. Remove the coolant pump pulley bolts and the pulley.
   
   
   
8. Disconnect the coolant bypass hose and clamps.
9. Disconnect the radiator hoses from the coolant pump. Refer to Radiator Hose Replacement .
   
   
   
10. Remove the four coolant pump bolts.
11. Remove the coolant pump.
12. Remove the gaskets. Important: Make sure all of the gasket mating surfaces are free of burrs or other imperfections.
    
13. Inspect all of the parts. Replace the parts as necessary.

Installation Procedure

Hi, 5.2L Engines

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. The viscous fan drive and blade assembly is threaded into the water pump hub shaft. Remove the fan drive and blade assembly from the water pump by turning the mounting nut counterclockwise as viewed from the front while securing the water pump pulley. Do not remove or unbolt the fan drive and blade at this time.

Fig. : Fan blade and viscous drive (click for zoom)


The threads on the viscous fan drive are right hand threaded.

1. Remove the 2 fan shroud-to-upper crossmember nuts.
2. Remove the fan drive, blade and shroud as an assembly.

WARNING Do not place the viscous fan drive in a horizontal position. If stored horizontally, silicone fluid in the viscous fan drive could drain into its bearing assembly and the assembly would have to be replaced.
CAUTION Do not remove the water pump pulley-to-water pump bolts. The pulley is under spring tension.

1. Remove the 4 bolts securing the fan blade assembly to the viscous fan drive.
   

To install:

1. Install the fan blade on the viscous drive. Install the bolts and tighten them to 17 ft. lbs. (23 Nm).
2. Position the fan shroud, viscous fan and blade into the engine compartment as an assembly.
3. Position the fan shroud to the radiator. Insert the lower slots of the shroud into the crossmember. Install the upper attaching nuts.

Ensure the upper and lower portions of the fan shroud are firmly connected. All air must flow through the radiator.

1. Install the fan drive and blade assembly to the water pump shaft and tighten the nut.
   

Ensure there is at least 1 inch (25mm) between the tips of the fan blades and shroud.

1. Connect the negative battery cable.

Take care

Remove or Disconnect

1. Coolant from the radiator.
2. Multiple ribbed drive belt.
3. Upper fan shroud.
4. Fan and fan clutch assembly.
5. Coolant pump pulley.
6. Radiator outlet hose clamp and hose.
7. Bolts and stud.
8. Coolant pump.
9. Gasket(s). Inspect

• All parts and replace as necessary.

Important

• Be sure all mating surfaces are free of burrs or other imperfections.

Install or Connect

1. Gasket(s) in place.
2. Coolant pump.
3. Bolts and stud.

• Sealant (GM P/N 1052080 or equivalent) must be applied to the bolt threads.

Tighten

• Bolts and stud to 41 N.m (30 ft. lbs.) , 4.3 engines.

1. Radiator outlet hose and clamp.
2. Coolant pump pulley.
3. Fan and fan clutch assembly.
4. Multiple ribbed drive belt.
5. Upper fan shroud.
6. Coolant to the radiator. Important

• Start the engine and check for leaks.

Escalade, Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon, Denali, DenaliXL, YukonXL 1999-2005 Water Pump - Removal & Installation 4.8L, 5.3L & 6.0L Engines

1. Remove or disconnect the following:
   Air outlet duct Coolant Inlet radiator hose from the water pump Upper fan shroud Cooling fan and clutch assembly Drive belt Radiator outlet hose from the coolant pump Surge tank hose Heater hose Water pump
   
   
   Fig. Exploded view of the water pump assembly-4.8L, 5.3L and 6.0L engines
   

To install:

NOTE DO NOT use cooling system seal tabs (or similar compounds) unless otherwise instructed. The use of cooling system seal tabs (or similar compounds) may restrict coolant flow through the passages of the cooling system or the engine components. Restricted coolant flow may cause engine overheating and/or damage to the cooling system or the engine components/assembly.

1. Install or connect the following:
   Water pump. Install the water pump bolts. Tighten the water pump bolts first pass to 11 ft. lbs. (15 Nm); tighten the bolts final pass to 22 ft. lbs. (30 Nm). Water pump drive belt pulley and bolts (if applicable). Tighten the pulley bolts first pass to 89 inch lbs. (10 Nm); tighten the bolts final pass to 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm). Surge tank hose Heater hose Outlet radiator hose to the coolant pump Drive belt Cooling fan and clutch assembly Upper fan shroud Inlet radiator hose to the water pump Air inlet duct Coolant

1. Remove or disconnect the following:
   Air inlet and outlet duct Coolant Inlet radiator hose from the water pump Upper fan shroud Cooling fan and clutch assembly Drive belt Radiator outlet hose from the coolant pump Surge tank hose Heater hose Water pump
   
   

To install:

1. Install or connect the following:
   Water pump. Install the water pump bolts. Tighten the bolts to 11 ft. lbs. (15 Nm) for the first pass; then tighten to 22 ft. lbs. (30 Nm) for the final pass. Water pump drive belt pulley and bolts (if applicable). Tighten the bolts to 89 inch lbs. (10 Nm) for the first pass; then tighten to 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm) for the final pass. Surge tank hose Heater hose Outlet radiator hose to the coolant pump Drive belt Cooling fan and clutch assembly Upper fan shroud Inlet radiator hose to the water pump Air inlet and outlet duct Coolant

Hope this help to solve it (remember comment and rated this).

The text below is from the GM Service manual 4.3L V6 Engine
Water Pump Replacement (4.3L)
Removal Procedure
Drain the cooling system. Refer to Draining and Filling Cooling System .
Loosen the water pump pulley bolts.
Remove the cooling fan and clutch assembly.

Tools Required
J 46406 Fan Clutch Wrench

Removal Procedure
Remove the upper fan shroud.
Remove the fan clutch from the water pump in a counterclockwise direction using the J 46406 .
Remove the fan clutch assembly.
Remove the drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement Remove the water pump pulley mounting bolts.
Remove the water pump pulley.
Remove the radiator outlet hose clamp from the water pump.
Remove radiator outlet hose from the water pump.
Remove the water pump mounting bolts.
Remove the water pump from the engine.
Remove the water pump gaskets.
Clean the water pump gasket mating surfaces.
Installation Procedure
Install the water pump gaskets.
Install the water pump to the engine.
Apply a sealer (GM P/N 12346004) to the bolt threads.
Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.
Install the water pump mounting bolts.
Tighten
Tighten the mounting bolts to 41 N·m (30 lb ft).
Install the radiator outlet hose to the water pump.
Install the water pump pulley.
Install the water pump pulley bolts.
Tighten
Tighten the water pump pulley bolts to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).
Install the drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement in Engine Mechanical - 4.3L.
Install the fan clutch assembly.
Fill the radiator cooling system. Refer to Draining and Filling Cooling System .
Inspect the cooling system for leaks.

Radiator does not requires a frequent replacement untill  the radiator get damage or choke-up if you having water circulation problem or radiator heating problem then see for radiator cleanup or flusing , the radiator or the car can get heat up even if the electriacal problem happen like radiator fan motor issue, the thermostat issue, temperature issue, fan relay issue. much more thing comes to consideration so for trouble free issue & a hazard free driving do make sure that you visit your nearest authorised service centre or service station untill then see you sir... have happing motoring & drive safely...!