How can I tell if my fan clutch needs to be replaced?
Wiggle each of the fan blades individually to see if they feel damaged or displaced. Do the same for the metal housing that surrounds the fan itself. Loose, rattling pieces send a loud and clear message that you need to have your fan clutch replaced.
What causes oil to come out of a fan clutch?
Run your finger along the edges of the bearing seal on the backside of the fan clutch. If it comes away with a heavy coating of oil, the culprit is either a crack or a faulty seal. Radial streaks are another potential clue—this happens when oil escapes from the clutch and is then blown outward in all directions by the fan.
What’s the best temperature to test a fan clutch?
Make sure your new fan clutch is the same type as the original. It’s possible to upgrade from a non-thermal clutch to a more efficient thermal model, but not the other way around. Keep your engine temperature below 210 °F (99 °C) while you’re running your tests to prevent it from overheating.
What happens if you have a bum fan clutch?
A bum fan clutch drains horsepower from the engine to keep the mechanical fans running, which can ultimately lead to critical overheating, decreased fuel economy, and poor general performance. Thanks!
What should I do if my fan clutch is going bad?
Silicone fluid leaking from the fan clutch would cause this problem. When the engine is off, there are a few things you can do to check the fan clutch: Spin the fan. Electronic types might freewheel, but most fan clutches should spin with a little effort.
Can you replace the solenoid on a Mercedes 190E?
You can replace the vacuum solenoid and get those doors opening again in no time by following this article. If you are driving a 190E, you already know about the issues with failing front door locks. You can replace the vacuum solenoid and latch and get those doors opening again in no time by following this article.
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.
Are there any issues with the Mercedes 190E?
If you are driving a 190E, you already know about the issues with failing rear door locks. You can replace the vacuum solenoid and get those doors opening again in no time by following this article. If you are driving a 190E, you already know about the issues with failing front door locks.
Wiggle each of the fan blades individually to see if they feel damaged or displaced. Do the same for the metal housing that surrounds the fan itself. Loose, rattling pieces send a loud and clear message that you need to have your fan clutch replaced.
How does a thermal 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. The valve releases heavy silicone fluid, which locks the fan blades to the fan pulley.
Run your finger along the edges of the bearing seal on the backside of the fan clutch. If it comes away with a heavy coating of oil, the culprit is either a crack or a faulty seal. Radial streaks are another potential clue—this happens when oil escapes from the clutch and is then blown outward in all directions by the fan.
How long does it take for a fan clutch to come to life?
After 4-5 minutes, the fan clutch should come to life. Assuming it doesn’t, or that it’s sluggish when it finally gets moving, it may be on its last legs. The same is true if the fan speed accelerates as soon as you start the vehicle.