Fan Clutch Problem

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Jul 20, 2004 | 09:54 PM

JRobinson145

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From: Middla Nowere

Fan Clutch Problem

OK...gotta 96 F150 w/ the I6. I bought this truck about 6 months ago and have been doing all the maintenance that has never been done. A couple of weeks ago I replaced the thermostat and flushed the radiator and refilled. I noticed that the fan seemed to be "fixed" and not turn with the motor off.

Well tonight I went out to check it out and found that someone has tack welded the fan clutch to the large nut that attaches it to the water pump. I fought with it for an hour trying to break the nut loose but had no luck.

I want to replace the fan clutch so that it will be right but I just cant seem to break it loose. Any ideas? Is there an easy way to do this?

Also, will the fan being “engaged” all the time cause any long term problems?

Jul 20, 2004 | 10:54 PM

miked79928

Mountain Pass

Joined: May 2004

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From: El Paso, TX

I don't think the fan being engaged at all times will cause problems. Probably just robbing a little bit of power and mileage. I beleive that the large nut is actually part of the fan clutch. The only way to fix it would probably be to replace the fan clutch. Hope this helps.

Jul 21, 2004 | 03:00 AM

Torque1st

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Interesting problem. I assume here the nut is welded to the pulley and not to the fan clutch. The nut is part of the fan clutch. If this is correct the pump and clutch may be for an older 300-6 with standard v-belts. The pump turns the opposite direction on a serpentine belt unit. If the wrong pump and fan was used on the engine the fan clutch nut would have a tendency to back itself off, -hence the tack weld. You will need to get a hacksaw with a good blade in there to remove the weld. Hopefully there won't be much penetration. You will need to get a fan clutch remover tool to remove the nut.

Jul 21, 2004 | 04:56 AM

200000+F150

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Joined: Mar 2003

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From: Hendersonville, TN

Just went through this with my '94. The clutch is hard to remove WITHOUT a weld being involved, but the pulley won't come off the pump without the clutch being removed, because the threads for the big nut are on the pump shaft itself. Easiest way is going to be to remove the pump(not hard and gaskets are cheap) get it in a vise and cut the weld. The reason for the tack is that even though it's a pain to get apart, once I got new clutch and installed, about a week later the thing just flew off and went into my new radiator. I didn't get this radical though, just added some BLUE loctite to the threads and no more problem. Sounds like someone else may have had the same problem. I hate these things. I wish they'd stuck with the bolt-on fan clutches.

Jul 21, 2004 | 05:03 AM

Torque1st

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Make sure you get the right rotation parts. I even put anti-sieze on the nut so it will come off next time. Never had any problems with the nut coming off during engine operation.

Jul 22, 2004 | 10:21 AM

JRobinson145

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From: Middla Nowere

Actually the finned clutch piece is tacked to the nut. I guess on the plus side my truck stays cool all the time. I just wanted to ensure that I wasn't going to mess anything up running it that way around town and for the short trips that I make.

Jul 25, 2004 | 08:11 PM

Jack01

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Joined: Jul 2003

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From: central valley California

The only problem you will have because of the fan always turning is a colder running engine. This will cause the computer to dump more fuel into the the intake system and can lead to premature failure of the O2 sensor(s). You will have a slightly higher Idle and/or RPMs and would cause earlier shifting.