What does a clutch fan do to an air conditioner?
This is what normally acts as a heat exchanger for the air conditioning unit. The fan is designed in such a way that it helps in keeping the condenser cool, by which that component can convert the gas into liquid efficiently and can keep the convertible’s AC system operating smoothly.
When do you know it’s time to replace the fan clutch?
According to Hayden, here are some signs your fan clutch might need replaced: Fan spins excessively when engine is stopped (three or more times when hot engine is shut off). Poor A/C performance at idle or low vehicle speeds. Fan speed does not increase when engine is hot.
What are the different types of fan clutches?
Types of Fan Clutches. The main types are non-thermal, thermal, and electronic — all of which use a silicone fluid to engage and disengage your fan. Non-thermal clutches operate solely based on the shaft speed of the water pump. At low and idling speeds, the clutch allows the fan blade to turn at almost a 1:1 ratio.
What to do if your air conditioner fan is too fast?
Both fans have an equal part in cooling your home. If you begin to notice a change in your fan’s speed – it seems too fast or slow – there are 3 key areas to have your Portland air conditioning technician from Clean Air Act inspect on your AC system: Each fan has its own motor.
What causes a car fan clutch to go bad?
Insufficient heat in winter is another common problem but caused by the opposite fan clutch failure. If the fan clutch seizes, it remains engaged all the time, cooling off the engine too much. Excess fan noise at high speed is caused by the same problem, a seized fan clutch.
How does a torque limiting fan clutch work?
A torque-limiting fan clutch reacts to engine speed. A centrifugal valve opens to allow the flow of heavy silicone fluid, locking the fan blades to the pulley. At idle and low engine speeds, this fan clutch is fully engaged, gradually disengaging as engine speed increases.
How can you tell when a fan clutch is engaged?
You should be able to audibly detect when the fan clutch engages, with an accompanying rush of air. At idle, as engine temperature increases, a thermal fan clutch will engage at a certain temperature. Torque-limiting fan clutches will disengage at a certain engine speed. Alternatively, an optical tachometer can be used to measure fan speed.
How does a fan clutch work on a radiator?
A thermal fan clutch reacts to temperature of the air rushing over it from the radiator. As the radiator heats up, the air passing through it also heats up. This heats up a small bi-metallic coil in the face of the fan clutch, releasing an internal valve.