Problem With Cooling Fan Clutch
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Western Oklahoma
Problem With Cooling Fan Clutch
I have an 85' F250 XLT Lariat, 6.9, 4spd, 4.10 gears with A/C. About 100 miles ago the cooling fan clutch started making noise and now appears to be locked up...I can't turn it by hand with the engine turned off. Since it locked up...I have a belt squealing every time I get to about 2700 rpm's, with equates to under 65 mph with my gears. I don't have an A/C belt on the truck right now due to the clutch being out on the A/C compressor. All the belts are within 1000 miles of new and all the pulleys look to be in really good shape.
Could the fan clutch being seized up cause the belt to slip at high rpm's?
Would there be any problems with putting a "flex fan" or static fan on the truck and ditching the clutched fan? The clutch itself is over $150.00 at a parts shop and I put one of the "flex fans" on a 79' F350 with a 460 for about $35.00.
Thanks for any and all advice....
Could the fan clutch being seized up cause the belt to slip at high rpm's?
Would there be any problems with putting a "flex fan" or static fan on the truck and ditching the clutched fan? The clutch itself is over $150.00 at a parts shop and I put one of the "flex fans" on a 79' F350 with a 460 for about $35.00.
Thanks for any and all advice....
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Manitoba
If you release the tension on the belts does the waterpump rotate freely, how is the shaft for wiggle. You will need a clutch fan for your diesel no way around that one sorry, some have tried other types but with no good results. Try cleaning the center coil on the fan clutch BUT DO NOT bend the coil or remove it.
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From: Western Oklahoma
So...a static fan is not a good idea???
So the static fan is not a good idea? Will a static fan really rob that much power? Even so, it should be better at keeping my 6.9's greatest enemy (heat) at bay. I really don't like the idea of more engine noise though.
Yes, it is definately the clutch. I have managed to free it up a couple of times and, at 70 mph (and well over 3000 rpm) down the highway...there is no doubt when it locks up again that it is the culprit.
I priced a fan clutch at a local parts store...$170.00. No thanks. If the fan clutch is a must, used is how I will go with it.
Yes, it is definately the clutch. I have managed to free it up a couple of times and, at 70 mph (and well over 3000 rpm) down the highway...there is no doubt when it locks up again that it is the culprit.
I priced a fan clutch at a local parts store...$170.00. No thanks. If the fan clutch is a must, used is how I will go with it.
Last edited by sa_rains; May 15, 2005 at 08:25 PM.
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Iceland
I have a 7.3 IDI 1989 with similar problems. That is when the engine is cold, I can barely turn the fan, and when I manage to turn it a few inches, it squeales. And the engine is rather loud and at high rev. it vibrates more than it used to do. I guess the fan clutch is more or less locked up. Could my diagnosis be correct?
Getting a clutch up here (Iceland) will cost me about 500 bucks, so I will try to look for a used one. Can I use a fan and clutch from a 6.9L ? Or is there some magic tricks I could try to perform on it first, like cleaning the center coil (which I am not sure how to do).
Bjarni
Getting a clutch up here (Iceland) will cost me about 500 bucks, so I will try to look for a used one. Can I use a fan and clutch from a 6.9L ? Or is there some magic tricks I could try to perform on it first, like cleaning the center coil (which I am not sure how to do).
Bjarni
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From: Western Oklahoma
Bjarni,
I found a used fan clutch at a local salvage yard for $40.00. They claim to ship internationally...if you are interested, I can post their contact information...just let me know in this post.
From what I have read in the posts on this site, the fan clutches on the 6.9 IDI and the 7.3 IDI are the same. I have not heard of anyone who has had any luck freeing up one that is locked up. I have tried everything suggested and can get it freed up for a few miles; but when it locks up again at 70 mph and 3200 rpm, yes, it makes one heck of a noise.
Used $40.00 OR Rebuilt $178.00...not much of a choice now is it? A flex or static fan would run $40.00 for the fan and $25.00 for the spacer/mount kit. With the 6.9, 4spd (no overdrive), 4.10 gears, and dual 3" exhaust with glass packs...I have more than enough noise down the highway, thank you.
I found a used fan clutch at a local salvage yard for $40.00. They claim to ship internationally...if you are interested, I can post their contact information...just let me know in this post.
From what I have read in the posts on this site, the fan clutches on the 6.9 IDI and the 7.3 IDI are the same. I have not heard of anyone who has had any luck freeing up one that is locked up. I have tried everything suggested and can get it freed up for a few miles; but when it locks up again at 70 mph and 3200 rpm, yes, it makes one heck of a noise.
Used $40.00 OR Rebuilt $178.00...not much of a choice now is it? A flex or static fan would run $40.00 for the fan and $25.00 for the spacer/mount kit. With the 6.9, 4spd (no overdrive), 4.10 gears, and dual 3" exhaust with glass packs...I have more than enough noise down the highway, thank you.
Last edited by sa_rains; May 19, 2005 at 09:19 PM.
Posting Guru
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From: Prince George, B.C.
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Iceland
Originally Posted by sa_rains
I found a used fan clutch at a local salvage yard for $40.00. They claim to ship internationally...if you are interested, I can post their contact information...just let me know in this post.
I have been trying to find a used fan clutch, but the 7.3 and the 6.9 are rather uncommon here and therefore I could not find one. A rebuilt one is not to be found here either. So a $40 for one is great, even if it will cost me twice that with shipping and everything.
Bjarni
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Western Oklahoma
Bjarni,
Here is the information on the salvage dealer I discussed previously:
H&H Auto Salvage
Weatherford, OK 73096
1-800-375-7629
1-580-772-7754
They accept Mastercard, Visa, Discover, and American Express. They claim to ship "anywhere"...I don't believe they have a website. They have an email address. If you need it, send me a private email and I will forward it to you.
If things don't work out with them, try www.oreillyauto.com for a remanufacturered unit.
Good Luck!
Here is the information on the salvage dealer I discussed previously:
H&H Auto Salvage
Weatherford, OK 73096
1-800-375-7629
1-580-772-7754
They accept Mastercard, Visa, Discover, and American Express. They claim to ship "anywhere"...I don't believe they have a website. They have an email address. If you need it, send me a private email and I will forward it to you.
If things don't work out with them, try www.oreillyauto.com for a remanufacturered unit.
Good Luck!
Last edited by sa_rains; May 20, 2005 at 07:50 AM.
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Junior User
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From: Western Oklahoma
Originally Posted by 351M
The clutch fan is thread on, you can't physically fit a flex fan on these engines.
Please correct me if I am wrong, but the threaded shaft for the fan clutch bolts to the belt pulley and water pump with 4 bolts that are threaded into the water pump shaft flange. Those 4 bolts are what run through the flex fan, through the spacer, through the pulley, and into the water pump shaft flange.
I have not actually tried to bolt this on as of yet, but from looking at it on my truck, taking some crude measurements, and looking at the parts at a parts store, it looks to me like it would work. I know it was one of the best things I ever did to a 79' 460 I had before I got the 85' 6.9.
Please let me know if you have any other or additional information, and thanks for your help!
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2004
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From: Prince George, B.C.
The problem with the flex fan is that you will have to mess around fabbing up a spacer to go around the threaded shaft on the pump so you could bolt it on, also most flex fans don't have the bolt holes far enough apart to do that.
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Western Oklahoma
And that, Sir, is why your profile has "Posting Guru" under the 351M and mine does not. Thanks a million for setting me straight.
Picked up one at a salvage yard for $35.
Thanks again for your assistance and saving me some broken knuckles and heartache.
Picked up one at a salvage yard for $35.
Thanks again for your assistance and saving me some broken knuckles and heartache.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,161
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From: Prince George, B.C.
I have been thinking, and looking and thinking some more, I figured a way to get a flex fan on it but you need access to or know somone who has access to a machine shop, you have to machine a spacer that can be bolted to the water pump with a hole to clear the threaded shaft, then you drill and tap the holes on the fan side so it will mount, but without a lathe and mill its not an easy task.
