Fan Clutch Question

[e30rik]

I'm doing my first timing belt job (started today, didn't finish). I removed my fan and it's clutch but I think I made a noob mistake. I left the fan laying on it's side as I was working and it stayed there the whole day. I just now leaned it up until I finish the job tomorrow. My question is did I likely ruin the clutch and how can I test it?

[slippery]

Newspaper test?

[zaq123]

Newspaper test?

what he said. chances are your clutch is 100% ok if it was ok to begin with.

[e30rik]

Looks like it’s shot. I rolled up a magazine and stuck it in the blades after driving for 30 minutes. Stopped the fan pretty easily. Fan also spins too freely when the car is cold/off. I also have a whirring noise after doing my timing belt. Hoping it’s one of the drive belts or the fan but it’s probably the tensioner…

[peytonracer4]

why would laying it down damage it?

[digger]

are you sure you got it hot enough?

[e30rik]

why would laying it down damage it?

Read something about the fluid draining out and the clutch won’t operate properly. I ended up just buying a new one. The new one has quite a bit more resistance, should be good to go now.

[peete]

why would laying it down damage it?

I'm pretty sure that's an old wife's tale. How long do those things sit on parts distributor's shelves laying down?