What causes a fan clutch to go out?
If your fan clutch is not operating the way it should, it’s likely due to a fluid leak or a bad thermostatic spring or valve.
Should a fan clutch spin freely when off?
The fan should move freely by hand when the vehicle is off. Any strong resistance means its locking up.
What temperature does a fan clutch disengage?
At what temperatures do fan clutches engage? Answer: Most fan clutches engage at about 170°F air temperature (about 180-190°F engine temperature). They reduce the temperature about 20°F before disengaging.
When should I replace my 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.
How do you test a clutch fan?
Testing Procedure
- With the engine off, spin the fan by hand.
- Wobble the fan.
- If the fan has heavy resistance or is frozen and will not turn, it is also bad.
- Visually look for signs of silicone radiating from the center of the clutch, indicating a failure.
- Start the engine and observe the fan speed.
When should a fan clutch disengage?
In nearly all cases, temperature-controlled fan clutches will disengage the fan when the vehicle is operating at highway speeds (over 50 mph). The fan should not be heard at these speeds as enough air should be moving through the radiator to cool it. This allows fuel economy and engine power to increase.
What happens if your fan clutch goes out?
A bad fan clutch may not engage properly or at all, and as a result, will disable the fans or prevent them from working at maximum efficiency. This may result in the engine overheating, which will lead to more serious issues if left unattended.
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 causes a car fan clutch to go bad?
Insufficient heat in winter is another common problem but caused by the opposite fan clutch failure. If the fan clutch seizes, it remains engaged all the time, cooling off the engine too much. Excess fan noise at high speed is caused by the same problem, a seized fan clutch.
Can a fan clutch spin freely when cold?
There have been cases where fan clutches spin freely when cold, and when this happens, you have a problem in your hands. Note that there are two kinds of clutches. One operates through thermal variations, such as the one described above. The engagement and disengagement of the same will depend on how fast you drive.
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.