Symptoms of a Bad Clutch Fan and How to Test if it Has Failed

Symptoms of a bad engine clutch fan and how to test if it has failed. Also, how to replace a clutch fan.
What is an engine Fan Clutch?
A fan clutch controls when the fan comes on and off and provides airflow when needed. It is attached to the water pump drive shaft.
The fan clutch engages when:
⦁ Engine gets hot
⦁ The vehicle is moving at low speed or idling
The fan clutch disengages when:
⦁ Engine is cool
⦁ The vehicle is moving over 20-40 MPH
Signs and Symptoms of a Bad engine Clutch Fan
⦁ Overheating at low speeds or idle
⦁ Loose and wobbling radiator fan
⦁ Noise wiring noise or loud fan noise
How to Test the Fan Clutch
⦁ Spin the radiator fan, and there should be resistance
⦁ When the engine shuts off, the fan should not spin more than 1-2 times.
⦁ Rock it back and forth, as there should be no side-to-side movement (A bad water pump can do the same)
How To Replace a Fan Clutch
⦁ Keep the belt on when replacing
⦁ Use WD40 to loosen the nut
⦁ Find the correct direction in which the nut is removed, clockwise or counterclockwise.
⦁ The fan bolt usually loosens the same direction as fan spins
www.backyardmechanic.org
By using this information user assumes all risk of use.

[@chrislebeast]

I had a mechanic suggest i install a new one while he was finishing up some work in my dodge ram, the truck immediately sounded like shit felt like a helicopter blade in my engine & truck wouldn't go past 3k rpm. felt like trash....that new fan clutch from AutoZone was garbage, need to order a Mopar OEM one

[@jermaineencalade6959]

If ur clutch bad would that make ur truck run hot

[@johncoyne7004]

If it’s a roaring sound it’s working

[@ianmoberg374]

I did some timing work on my 4.7l magnum and when I fired the truck back up and shut it off I noticed a weird sound and the fan kept spinning after I shut it off, I had a feeling it was bad but ur vid confirms it

[@Sarge999-eb2id]

2005 dodge Dakota 4.7 runs hot when I begin driving uphill for a decent stretch but when I get to level ground the temp goes back to normal.I have already changed out the water pump, radiator, thermostat and radiator cap... Could a bad fan clutch be causing my over heating ? ... It gets up to 80 percent hot on the temp gauge but on level it drops to 49 percent on the temp gauge... Any suggestions would be appreciated 👍

[@independencyissues]

Would a bad fan clutch engage and disengage at random times (even when the engine is cold) and cause a loud whirring noise that increases and decreases with the RPMs? I had a new fan clutch installed a few months ago and it seems like this has been happening ever since. I read that new fan clutches can be bad as well

[@Ruddibruce]

Mine is staying on hi floe and it’s cause my belt to squeal on and off is it still the clutch.

[@electric_thumbs]

I hear extra fan noise when I first turn the engine on. Now it does spin pretty freely but I can tell that it's pulling in that extra air and I don't think you can do that if the fan clutch is bad right I mean wouldn't you never get extra fan noise if it was bad?

[@xxplaguezombiexx6377]

I’ve replaced my fan clutch, thermostat and temp sensor and still i have the this same problem where it is always engaged no matter what, what do you reckon it could be?

[@Loojmemhav]

Hey there! I’ve recently experienced overheating on my 2002 Tundra and so I replaced the fan clutch with an aftermarket clutch from autozone (<$100). I noticed that the fan starts out spinning really fast making loud noise when first starting the engine cold but it goes away in about a minute or so. However, as the engine heats up I don’t see the fan spinning fast enough to cool down the coolant indicating that the clutch is not engaging. After about an hour of idling the truck will go into overheat again. Do you know why this is happening especially with a new clutch? I just replaced all new; radiator, radiator cap, serpentine belt, thermostat, water pump, serpentine belt tensioner, timing belt, and coolant temperature sensors but did not solve overheating problem. I’m confused now. Should I switch out fan clutch for a stock oem clutch?

[@Inspiriments888]

Value packed and precise. Thank you

[@tsti1es]

nice vid

[@cameronrace8436]

when i cold start my duramax it sounds like the fan is turning on and off repeatedly. but dont hear it when i put it in drive. wondering if it is the clutch

[@Wakeupandsniffthecoffee]

I had a few fan clutches on, due to accidents. So far out of five, only one seemed to work right. The rest sound like an airplane propeller and make it feel like the engine is struggling against it.

[@BarryFarmer-lh3qp]

Could a bad clutch fan break the casting of the water pump? Like on a big block chevy?

[@jf8461]

When you see how many times it spins after shutting motor off, should the engine be warm?

[@chrisjones3038]

My truck overheats at idle Unless I put it in neutral and press the gas pedal..is this a bad clutch fan? Thanks man

[@lexruger3867]

What does it mean when the fan is wiggling when the engine is running?. Great video by the way 👍🏽

[@user-vi9ku3pf9e]

I replaced my clutch fan and its like a direct drive. What can the cause be

[@DavidBrownie]

My serpentine belt broke and I cut the electric wire harness for the fan clutch should the black piece on the fan spin or be set sowire can plg into