My '98 runs cooler with the AC on. I'm thinking the clutch is going on the mechanical fan. It feels OK, turns with some pressure. Viscous material in the hub maybe shot. I do flush the system every year. Runs about 215 going slow without the AC. Runs about 205 with the AC on. At speed it doesn't matter, it just stays at 205. I'm thinking the electric fan is keeping it cool

 

I run Aabout 210 normally. so to be running at 215 in 90+ temps this summer i would say you are good. when you put the a/c on in addition to your clutch fan your electric fan kicks in so to drop the running temp a few degreese is is normal. So i would say your are all good. if you feel safer and more secure for pice of mind then change the clutch but i wouldn't.

 

Mine would get to 215 ish 220 ish before I did a few mods to the cooling system, because those temps here in Fl on 107 degree days will make you nervous.

 

My 96 Sport runs at 195ish normally, and 210 when going over mountain passes or pulling a lot of weight. When my fan clutch quit clutching, my engine would run at 210 while driving normally and any time I stopped or went under 30mph it would start to spike in temps and I got scared. One thing I did while that was happening was turn on my heater to vents on full hot. This would drop the engine temps by 10-20deg every time. If yours is like this (which it sounds like), the $79 fan clutch should solve the problem. Took me about half an hour cuz I like to clean stuff real good, and now it stays where it should even in the desert!

 

I went over to Advanced to get oil for a change, and checked out a new clutch. It feels the same as the one on the Jeep. It is cooler out today (80 degrees), and the temp is staying below 210 around town. It could be the high 90s heat.

 

Th "feel/spin test" is not very reliable. Fan clutches slowly degrade/loose efficiency over time starting the day they are installed. At $35, it's just cheap insurance to replace the fan clutch if u don't know how old it is or every 3-4 years if u do.

 

The fan clutch should be looser when cold than hot, so testing one new, out of the box isn't a good test.

Mine is the original and makes no difference whether its hot or cold, it has the same resistance. In that I normally am running below 210 when driving and the e-fan kicks on after I've been idling in traffic for a while, I'm thinking I would be cooler with a new clutch.

 

OK so mine is OE. That means 13 years old. I'll just replace it when I flush it in another month.

 

So....doesnt someone make a aftermarket fan blade that mounts solid without the clutch? Seems like this would solve alot of problems....just saying.....

 

That is a good point. They do for most performance applications. The clutch fan is better for a daily driver. Better gas mileage. An electric fan with the proper wiring, and relay would be better.

 

The idea is, a clutch fan freewheels when not needed so it places little to no drag on the motor and is as quiet as an "off" efan. As higher air temp is sensed, the clutch "grabs/engages" thus pulling more air thru the rad. A bolt on fan constantly places load on the motor......even when not needed.