So I picked up the Disco today with its new head gaskets. My $1,000 quote became a $1,800 job. That included a new water pump. So if it fixed it, well, okay.
My new noise seems to come from the fan when it is kicking in and running. Is this bad--can it be silenced, or is this just "character"?

 

$1000 head gasket job is not realistic I'm sure people here gave that advice. What is the new noise? Also make sure they changed your oil and filter.

 

My fan is very loud, did you not notice it before or is it louder now?

 

I am am worried about the chirping cricket like noise that it makes. Is that what it is supposed to sound like? Before the Head Gaskets it did this a little. I haven't been running hot even before the gasket job--that was meant to be fix the leak. While I had a leak--it was small and I did not want to wait to find a bigger leak. Is the fan noise indicating that this thing is failing? Does the viscous clutch just sound like this normally?

 

Go straight back to the shop and find out what is going on, should be their responsibility.

 

As the bi-metal spring on the fan clutch lock up and then releases it will make noise, it should not be noticeable, but I suppose if you have good hearing and your engine is really quiet you can hear it.

Here is some info for you.
http://www.aa1car.com/library/cooling_fan_clutch.htm