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 do you remove a fan clutch from a water pump?
Once the new part has been installed gently slip the fan clutch down in front of the water pump using caution as to not contact the radiator or damage the plastic fan blade. The threads on the water pump flange are large and can be cross threaded easily so we advise you to start the fan nut by hand before taking a wrench to it.
How does a mechanical fan clutch work on a car?
While many newer vehicles now use electric cooling fans to keep the engine cool, many older vehicles used a mechanical fan clutch to control the fans. The fan clutch is a thermostatic device, which means it operates based off temperature, and is usually mounted on the water pump, or another belt driven pulley.
Can a bad fan clutch cause an engine to overheat?
The second problem a fan clutch can have is the opposite problem. The clutch fails to engage no matter how hot the engine becomes. This condition will cause the engine to overheat because the fan fails to pull the necessary air through the radiator that cools the engine by the use of the systems coolant.
How do you remove a clutch fan?
Loosen the the fan clutch using a 32mm wrench. The threads are reverse rotation, so turn it CLOCKWISE to loosen. Once the fan clutch is loose, remove the wrench, spin the fan clutch the rest of the way off with your hand. Once the fan is completely off carefully fish it out from between the engine and the radiator, it may take a little force.
How do fan clutches work?
A fan clutch is a temperature-controlled coupling between the water pump shaft and the fan which allows the fan to be operational at low speeds and disconnected at higher speeds. This allows the engine to operate more efficiently by removing the load that the fan places on it.
What is a fan clutch?
A fan clutch is a device found on an automobile’s cooling fan . In most cases, the fan is attached to the fan clutch by four bolts. As the engine speed increases, the fan clutch disengages and puts the fan into a free-wheeling mode.