Questions about fan clutch
#1
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Boston
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Litre
Questions about fan clutch
I'm fairly sure my fan clutch is shot but all my fans have been electric for 20 years or so and my knowledge of mechanical ones is limited to what I've read.
I've heard that the test is warming the engine up to operating temp, shutting it off and seeing if the fan can be spun by hand. If the fan spins freely, the clutch is shot. Is this true? My fan is easy to spin when the engine is warmed up.
Also, I've developed an engine speed based squeak/squeal that seems to coincide with when the fan would likely be operating. Has anyone ever heard of a squeaking fan clutch?
Pardon my ignorance on these, all my fans have been electric for the past 20 years.
I've heard that the test is warming the engine up to operating temp, shutting it off and seeing if the fan can be spun by hand. If the fan spins freely, the clutch is shot. Is this true? My fan is easy to spin when the engine is warmed up.
Also, I've developed an engine speed based squeak/squeal that seems to coincide with when the fan would likely be operating. Has anyone ever heard of a squeaking fan clutch?
Pardon my ignorance on these, all my fans have been electric for the past 20 years.
#2
CF Veteran
Fan clutches are tricky. They work by viscosity changes in a silicon compound that allows a clutch to engage or disengage based on under hood temperature. The problem is that there's not a lot of difference in feeling between the two states and it's hard to tell by hand (at least that was my experience) whether it's engaged or not. The best way to tell is that when you rev a hot engine, the fan should really roar. Also, if there is any silicon (usually white) leaking from the face of the clutch assembly, it's bad.
I replaced the fan clutch but kind of wish I'd just saved the money to invest in a dual electric setup.
I replaced the fan clutch but kind of wish I'd just saved the money to invest in a dual electric setup.
#3
::CF Moderator::
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Prescott, Az
Posts: 43,876
Received 1,526 Likes
on
1,238 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Any question on the fan clutch being bad/noisy coming into summer, replace it.
#4
Beach Bum
ZJ fan clutch
It moves more air than stock and coupled with a maintained cooling system it is the big difference for steady temps in all conditions. For me it's miles of deep sand in summer heat (high RPM and slow speeds).
Also, idling with AC on does not creep up the engine temp.
NAPA part #272310
edit: F1Addict, I have read through your road trip adventures and I believe this fan clutch would serve you well.
Last edited by SteveMongr; 04-15-2014 at 08:52 AM. Reason: added picture
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
NM-XJ
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
18
10-23-2018 04:21 PM
Gauge
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
15
09-15-2015 07:52 PM
lil01cherokee
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
11
09-10-2015 05:56 PM
shotseven
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
0
09-06-2015 03:06 PM
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)