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Testing fan clutch

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Old May 30, 2006 | 07:32 PM
  #1  
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etcetera
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Testing fan clutch

Is there a better test for the fan clutch than what is described in the manual.

Mine turns when cold, but it has a fair amount of resistance. The shop manual says it should turn freely when cold, and have some resistance when hot, whatever that means.

I've seen some clutches on older vehicles that really do turn freely when cold, and was wondering if that's how it's supposed to be on our trucks.

Mines an 01 V10.

Eric
 
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Old May 31, 2006 | 03:26 AM
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FortyFords
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Too answer your ? "No"
You will know when the fan clutch goes bad,its like a constant roar under the hood at all temps and rpms. And the resistance will be very hard to to turn.Or gritty grindy feeling when turning.
Rich
 
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Old May 31, 2006 | 03:57 AM
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etcetera
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I put a regular fan back on, and the clutch hadn't been used in almost 2 years. It was a constant roar, but a couple trips around the block and it's back to normal.

Thanks

Eric
 
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Old May 31, 2006 | 08:55 AM
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The fan should be loose, but not free-wheeling.

As in, when cold, spin the fan with your finger, if it almost immediately stops when you do, it's fine. If it keeps spinning for 1/2 or more turns, get a new one

The "clutch" is a viscous coupling (like a torque converter to put it simply). A bi-metallic strip on the front changes something inside as it heats up to increase the resistance and make it spin faster.

It can roar when cold, but a few minutes of running and it should stop. Mine usually only comes on in the very cold (because the oil in the viscous coupling is THICK) but stops in a few minutes.

It's never come on when hot, yet
 
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Old May 31, 2006 | 12:01 PM
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etcetera
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I don't recall mine ever cycling on when hot either. I haven't done any really serious towing yet though. 6000lbs up a 5 or 6% for maybe 15 miles.

I think it was stiff from sitting. Now it's back to normal on a cold start.

Eric
 
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