fan clutch
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 346
From: SE Iowa
fan clutch
Is there any way to tell if a fan clutch is bad??? Im not having any over heating problems, but I dont think its disengaging at highway speeds. Any thoughts?
Stryder
Stryder
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
fan clutch
You're not overheating? Then we can assume the clutch has seized. One good indicator of this is the characteristic roar of the fan spinning at full engine speed, at all RPMs. Your fuel economy will likely drop as well. With the engine off and cold, try to spin the fan by hand. A seized one will spin with great effort or not at all, probably feeling a bit "rough" if it does. If on the other hand the fan turns with the tap of a finger, then the clutch is also bad. A free-spinning clutch would probably cause a hotter-than-normal operating temperature, depending on driving conditions.
If a replacement is warranted, my personal suggestion is a thermal as opposed to standard replacement. Thermal clutches work only when they have to, meaning when the engine is running hot.
If a replacement is warranted, my personal suggestion is a thermal as opposed to standard replacement. Thermal clutches work only when they have to, meaning when the engine is running hot.
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 346
From: SE Iowa
fan clutch
Well, if a loud roar is characteristic then this one beats them all. I can hear the fan above my turbo mufflered exhaust. I also tried spinning the fan, and it didnt even budge. Thanks for the info on the thermal clutch.
Stryder
Stryder
