Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Fan clutch gone bad?

[WMonroe]

Today I was hauling about 4000 lbs. of sand on a flat highway at about 55mph. I exited onto the off ramp downshifted to 4th and as I was coasting (about 2300 rpm) I heard a roaring sound. I checked all the gauges and everything was all right, water temp was normal. Now I can not get the clutch to disengage. I have let it sit for about an hour, I have tried wiping the dirt off the front of the clutch. I drove about 45 miles and the clutch will not disengage at all. Do I need to replace the clutch? Is there a way to test it? And will it hurt to be driven?

Thanks in advance.

Will

 

[ADSmith]

Its sounds like your clutch is probably toast - I have seen them fail this way on occasion. Grab the end of one of the fan blades and see if you can move it front to back. If it moves more than 1/2 an inch or so I wouldn't drive it far. I have seen the bearings fail and take out the radiator.

 

[Nick2]

when mine went I just took it off (reverse threads)... seems like the thing to do. I dont tow or anything and its relatively cool here so your results may vary. You might try it - even as a temporary solution. Obviously just keep a closer eye on the temp gauge.

 

[QRTRHRS]

when mine went I just took it off (reverse threads)... seems like the thing to do. I dont tow or anything and its relatively cool here so your results may vary. You might try it - even as a temporary solution. Obviously just keep a closer eye on the temp gauge.

What he said. This time of year, you should not have a problem going fanless. I ran mine fanless two weeks or so this summer while waiting for my clutch to come in and then time to install it. While you have the fan off, be sure to inspect for cracks which occour once in awhile.

 

[WMonroe]

I'll probably pull the fan off tomorrow after work and get a clutch ordered for it. I did check and there is no play at all, so the bearing seem to be ok.

Thanks for the quick replies.

Will

 

[TGaines]

I think I remember hearing last time this came up that you have to store the fans in the upright manner for some reason. I think it has something to do with oil in the assembly leaking. May be wrong, but do remember this being mentioned. Food for thought.



Travis

 

[TGaines]

While I'm here, I might as well ask about my fan. It's about 12 degrees here and when I crank up the truck the fan comes on. I can't imagine why. Could it be my thermostat? or the fan clutch? I took the contacts out of the heater switch to keep it from coming on in the fresh air mode, but it is still on. Either I didn't do it right, or something is wrong.



Traivs

 

[bmoeller]

Travis, if the fan only does it 'til you start driving or the clutch warms up a bit, the clutch is fine. If it didn't come on, then there may be a problem. Just some drag from the cold fluid in the clutch assembly. It is a thermal clutch, assuming you don't have Horton setup. There is no fuse or anything electrical that controls it.

 

[WMonroe]

I called about a clutch today and they said it would be $149. Does this sound right? And they also only had one fan clutch listing.

Will

 

[jgillott]

This may be just a chance, but have you called up to Balsley yet? He could have something laying around up in the yard that will work for you. It couldn't hurt to give him a call.



Andy and I went up a few weeks ago for some realys and he gave us a heck of a deal. If you catch him on a good day, he may give you a deal on the price... .



Justin

 

[bmoeller]

I called about a clutch today and they said it would be $149. Does this sound right? And they also only had one fan clutch listing.

Will

Sounds good to me. The fan clutch for my 6. 9L was $250.

 

[WMonroe]

I'll have to give balsley a call and see what he says. if he doesn't have anything then I'll go with the $149 clutch.

Will