Blueboy1875

Hello all.

I swapped out the fan clutch in my XJ with an OEM unit about 2 years ago.

Wasn't entirely sure whether the old fan clutch was good or bad, but figured that as it was 10 years old, and I was overhauling my cooling system in entirety, it would be useful preventative maintenance anyway.

I peeked under the bonnet yesterday and saw that there was an oil leak on the fan clutch. Not a huge amount, but enough to cover the shaft and leave a trail of oil maybe one inch from the centre on the fan blades.

The FSM says that "small" fluid leaks will generally not affect the operation of the fan clutch. This suggests to me that some leakage is normal, and therefore shouldn't be worried about unless cooling performance is reduced (which it presently isn't).

However, I've read and heard other guys say that any leak on the fan clutch means that it's a duffer, and therefore requires to be replaced immediately.

I'm paranoid about leaks on my XJ and could do with some advice as to whether I should swap it out, or just live with it.

Cheers again for any advice.

Ash

freegdr

2 years old replace it.

Domaas

just relace it, ( i haven't read the manual, so i cant state an acceptable loss) but the oil in there acts a a viscous coupler for the fan, so any loose of fluid will effect it ability to "lock".

Blueboy1875

Sheesh. Pretty sure that an OEM fan clutch is supposed to last more than 2 years? Plus I've only put 10k miles on it. The factory supplied one lasted 10 years and 70k miles. Maybe I just struck unlucky and got a bad one?

My buddy just showed me his fan clutch on his XJ. Exactly the same leakage. Says it's been like that for a couple of years with no discernable effect on temperatures at idle. Reckons I'm fussing over nothing as all fan clutches leak a little due to 'centrifugal forces'.

Back to the parts store I go...

Thanks again for the input.

Ash

Domaas

I would think they would want to last longer than than that also.but then again,I would hate to leave it in there and then have it fail in traffic and leave you stranded. Just my .02

MonacaYankee

They should not be leaking like that. I still have the factory fan going strong at 183k without a leak.