A fan control system for a variable pitch fan of a work vehicle includes a first sensor that measures a parameter of a cooling system and a blade pitch module that adjust a pitch of a plurality of blades of the variable pitch fan to generate airflow in a first direction. A reversing module selectively commands a fan reversal that includes instructing the blade pitch module to temporarily adjust the pitch of the plurality of blades to generate airflow in a second direction. A first timer module, in response to the reversing module commanding the fan reversal, resets and increments a first timer and compares the first timer to a first threshold. A first reversal prevention module, in response to the first timer being less than the first threshold, prevents the reversing module from commanding a fan reversal by indicating that a first type of fan reversal is not permitted.