Weak fan clutch?

[dogsbark26]

Interesting, thanks. I do not recall where I heard that they needed to be kept um... horizontal.

[jeffnhiscars]

When you get it, please let me know if it says anything about keeping it upright.

It looks like they dont want them face down unless someone flipped the sticker which makes sense since I cant imagine them surviving on edge from the time of mfg til installation. I just stand them up when they arrive and am not aware of a problem with the few Ive done.

[dogsbark26]

When you get it, please let me know if it says anything about keeping it upright.

[fudge_sta]

Have ordered a Sachs online just waiting for it to arrive, thanks

[jeffnhiscars]

OE fan clutches are either Sachs or Behr and they ONLY have value at idle so if you never come to a stop you don't need one :)

[fudge_sta]

Was new as it came with the car when i purchased it, in a new box, although it was a make iv never heard of.

[dogsbark26]

Really? Only two years? I'm sure mine is over twenty! I have heard that they must be kept horizontal / upright or the viscous fluid gets screwed. Was this one new or used?

[fudge_sta]

So the verdict is i think the clutch fan is shot. It does not move at all with force while motor is off and only gets louder with speed. Haven't bothered with the newspaper test as there is no point if it doesn't move at all while off. Anybody recommend a good make replacement as this current one has only lasted 2 years. Thanks

[dogsbark26]

Did you try the tests in this thread?

Spin by hand with engine off? Stop with rolled newspaper with engine idling?

Results?

[fudge_sta]

Welcome to the forum fudge_sta.




Did you read Kozworth's post # 5 in this thread?

From what i understand it may me stuck according to my symptoms, so i presume it will need changing?

[dogsbark26]

Welcome to the forum fudge_sta.

Mine seems to be doing the total opposite and seems to be always on from the moment car is on its spinning and engine never warms up to optimum temp. Also at around 4thousand rpm the fan belt screeches slightly. The thing i hate the most is its always wooshing under acceleration. My thoughts are its putting to much load onto the belt maybe?. Any ideas guys?

Did you read Kozworth's post # 5 in this thread?

[fudge_sta]

Mine seems to be doing the total opposite and seems to be always on from the moment car is on its spinning and engine never warms up to optimum temp. Also at around 4thousand rpm the fan belt screeches slightly. The thing i hate the most is its always wooshing under acceleration. My thoughts are its putting to much load onto the belt maybe?. Any ideas guys?

[Stanley Rockafella]

I agree, I think it's a lack of air movement that's causing the issues/ Gotta be that fan clutch!

thanks again :)

[Northern]

stick a newspaper in the fan. If your flimsy newspaper stops the fan, the clutch is toast.

[Kozworth]

Check the clutch for any leakage. It's a viscous coupling. Basically, its a fluid that allows adequit rad cooling, but when spinning the clutch "disengages". By this I mean the fluid thinS, and there is a slip in a sense from the engine speed (at lower rpm, the fluid locks the fan closer to 1:1 but when it heats up from spinning quicker, it slips so the fan isn't engaged completely, since there is more airflow and this prevents over cooling). If it was stuck or seized, it would almost sound like an airplane taking off, as it keeps getting louder with speed.

What I would do is spin the fan by hand with the car off. If it spins freely, I'd say she's shot. If you spin and it does about 1/4 to 1/2 turn, i would consider other cooling options.

Double check coolant level, coolant mixture, and heater function. Could be a sticky Tstat that when running gets enough air flow to run normally but at idle runs a bit hot.