When to replace a water pump fan clutch?

If the clutch or fan have excessive play, remove the fan and clutch and check if the water pump shaft — where the fan-clutch assembly mounts — displays excessive play. If the water pump shaft checks OK, replace the fan clutch.

What should I do if my fan clutch is not working?

How does a fan clutch work on a radiator?

A thermal fan clutch reacts to temperature of the air rushing over it from the radiator. As the radiator heats up, the air passing through it also heats up. This heats up a small bi-metallic coil in the face of the fan clutch, releasing an internal valve.

How can I repair the clutch on my AC compressor?

Disconnect the connector on your compressor’s magnetic coil. Use the right size socket to remove the 6 mm bolt in the center of the AC clutch. Pull the clutch off, and observe the spacers on the shaft behind it. They are used to gap the clutch properly, so keep them in a safe place to avoid losing them.

What’s the best way to replace a fan clutch?

Hold the new fan clutch in place aligning the bolt holes in the same place as the old clutch. Lightly run the bolts into the holes making sure the threads are lining up properly

What causes a fan clutch to slip on a car?

One of these cavities acts as a reservoir and the other goes into the clutch itself. When this valve opens, fluid enters the clutch assisting the fan in turning faster. As this valve shuts, this oil flows back into the reservoir which causes the clutch to slip, forcing the fan to turn much slower.

How does the oil in a fan clutch work?

Internally, the fan clutch is made up of a set of clutch plates and a coupling filled with a silicone based oil with an internal valve that opens and closes directing the flow of the oil between two separate cavities. One of these cavities acts as a reservoir and the other goes into the clutch itself.

How can I tell if my water pump fan clutch is worn?

Mark one of the fan blades with a white pen or chalk and use a timing light to check for changes in fan speed which may indicate problems as well. Other indicators of potential worn fan clutches may also be wobbling or bearing noises coming from the water pump shaft. Step 2: Remove the fan shroud.

Is the fan pulley connected to the water pump?

The engine cooling fan, made of plastic or metal, isn’t hard-connected to the fan pulley or water pump, but instead is soft-connected via the fan clutch. A properly-functioning fan clutch is critical to engine reliability, as it works to maintain a safe temperature range.

What should I do if my water pump does not rotate the fan?

If the water pump shaft checks OK, replace the fan clutch. Try to spin the fan with your hands. A healthy fluid-coupling clutch should offer some resistance to fan rotation, because the silicone oil is thick and viscous. If the fan spins without resistance or is hard to rotate, replace the clutch. Turn on the engine and let it idle.

How can I check if my fan clutch is working?

Grab the fan assembly with your hands and move it back and forth. If the clutch or fan have excessive play, remove the fan and clutch and check if the water pump shaft — where the fan-clutch assembly mounts — displays excessive play. If the water pump shaft checks OK, replace the fan clutch.

What does a fan clutch do on a water pump?

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.

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 are the different types of fan clutches?

Types of Fan Clutches. The main types are non-thermal, thermal, and electronic — all of which use a silicone fluid to engage and disengage your fan. Non-thermal clutches operate solely based on the shaft speed of the water pump. At low and idling speeds, the clutch allows the fan blade to turn at almost a 1:1 ratio.

How do you remove clutch fan from Dodge Ram?

I think I understand how to remove it. Simply hold the pulley still with a tool by inserting something into 2 of the 4 holes and that holds the pulley still. Then with a wrench turn the nut holding the fan onto the pulley in the counterclockwise direction and the fan/clutch fall off.

When to replace a water pump fan clutch?