Does fan clutch have bearings?
We may have gotten to the nitty gritty, but there’s one more component to a fan clutch that you need to know about — the fan bearing. A fan bearing (or pulley bearing) is the part that the fan spins on, and requires reliable operation to keep it running smoothly.
When do you need to replace a fan clutch?
If there’s an issue with the fan clutch, the customer needs to have it replaced right away. The longer the customer leaves a malfunctioning fan clutch in their engine, the more engine issues will crop up. The biggest risk is that the engine may overheat. They may also see a reduction in engine power and/or a decrease in gas mileage.
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.
What causes a fan clutch to leak at the bearing seal?
When a leak occurs, it’s at the bearing seal, at the center rear of the clutch. Run your finger around the joint and if you get a big dollop of black goo, that’s silicone fluid that has leaked from the housing. Replace the fan clutch. A light smear of silicone fluid could be normal seepage–no seal is perfect.
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 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!
When a leak occurs, it’s at the bearing seal, at the center rear of the clutch. Run your finger around the joint and if you get a big dollop of black goo, that’s silicone fluid that has leaked from the housing. Replace the fan clutch. A light smear of silicone fluid could be normal seepage–no seal is perfect.
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.