fan clutch good or bad?

[chessman21]

truck runs almost hot at low rpms so i took the fan clutch out. Upon inspection it seems to have a fair amount of resistance when i turn it vs a free spin.. However there is a lot of grime build up on the front side that has the spring looking thing but nothing on the radiator? May it need to just be cleaned out?
or is the front side caked with grime a sign something else is wrong?

 

[Denisefwd93]

Probably the silicone leaking,. We got the HD clutch for mine, sounds like a military Jeep!

 

[chessman21]

Probably the silicone leaking,. We got the HD clutch for mine, sounds like a military Jeep!

didnt know it could leak anything, thxs for the info, guess i need a new one then..

 

[RonD]

Yes, there is an "oil" inside.

Classic fan clutch failing symptom is rising temp gauge at slower speeds and when stopped, that's the only time fan is really used, when driving at speed air flow thru rad is fast enough to do the cooling.

But same symptom can be worn water pump impeller(higher RPMs better flow) or clogged rad.

Only real test is to start engine cold and run it for 1 minute then turn it off.
Pop the hood and spin the fan should spin fairly easy.
Have to start it first to warm up the oil a bit.

Then drive truck until temp shows just below 1/2, normal operating temp
Shut off engine and pop the hood
Spin the fan, it shouldn't spin, it will move but it will be very very tight.
If not replace fan clutch.

 

[chessman21]

fixed that,.,

thxs i put a new one on today.. Ill test drive it in the morning after i get some antifreeze.. Any suggestions on that? Im to be useing the 50/50 premixed "green" kind ?

I used a piece of link chain, the big bolt on tentioner and 1 water pump pulley bolt to to stop pulley from spinning when breaking clutch nut (channel lockes/cheater pipe)< That worked well..

 

[Denisefwd93]

You do know the chain stores rent fan clutch tools? Moot at this point good luck!

 

[RonD]

50/50 "green" is what it came with so all is good

 

[Patrick]

I don't know if the "test" above is valid. I once had a fan clutch that just wouldn't quit at normal temperatures, but spun freely when I jumped out of the car and spun it by hand. I think those things need to be really spinning to get the fluids to lock them up or something.

The best test is to hear if the fan comes on during acceleration when its 100 degrees out and you've been sitting in traffic for ten minutes with the engine warmed up good.

Sent from my Lenovo TAB 2 A10-70F using Tapatalk

 

[adsm08]

Never buy the premixed coolant unless you need to top off at the store.

Price for a gallon of pre-mixed is usually $11 to $13, if you buy the store brand. This gets you 1 gallon of coolant.

The price for a gallon of concentrate is $12-$14. This gets you 2 gallons of coolant.

Premix is a rip-off.