Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Fan Clutch replacement

[MFranz]

I have a quote for a replacement Fan Clutch. Dodge online $204. 24 and Napa

at $143. 49 Anyone have experience with either. I wouldn't mine paying more

for something thats made better but is it. Is this a bolt on replacement and does it require special tools. Are the bolts reverse thread. Thanks in advance

for your replies.

Mike

 

[aircop]

I'am pretty sure its just one big nut and it is left hand thread.

 

[Huff N Puff]

After market vs Original Equipment

I have a quote for a replacement Fan Clutch. Dodge online $204. 24 and Napa

at $143. 49 Anyone have experience with either. I wouldn't mine paying more

for something thats made better but is it. Is this a bolt on replacement and does it require special tools. Are the bolts reverse thread. Thanks in advance

for your replies. Mike

Having replaced many fan clutches,Ive noticed that many of the after market clutches Ive installed seem to clutch too hard driving the fan way too hard,causing lots of noise while wasting fuel. While the OE clutches seem to clutch more precisely. Clutching at about 195 to 200 deg F

 

[JMLambert]

I changed mine last year getting it from NAPA for about $70 if I remember correctly. In the repair manual it will tell you the size of the wrench (I think 38 mm) for the nut on the clutch fan and the direction to take it off. I used a large pair of water pump pliers to hold the hub coming out of the front of the engine. Also may have taken off the fan shroud to get the fan and clutch out. Mine was easy but I have heard that others were somewhat difficult to break loose.

 

[MarkMiller]

Take a look at the Flex a lite electric fans.

 

[cruiser_2]

The fan nut is a 36 mm nut and you can use an 1 1/8 inch wrench. Yes it is a left hand thread and my best advise is to use a hammer on the wrench and hold the pully with a BIG set of Channel Locks. Have done this three times so far. Works great. Get a lifetime warranty fan clutch as it is always nice to go get one free! Oreilleys has given me 2 free ones so far.

 

[DMather]

Take a look at the Flex a lite electric fans.

But watch their warning about heavy towing.



I was about to make the change to the flex-a-lite as my fan clutch seems to have seized up. (full fan engagement from -15 to 190 on the temp gauge... and I'm missing about 2 mpg all the time)



Unfortunately, I'm regularly push the 18,000 Gross they warn about so I'm just sticking an OEM in there. (Which sucks... I want more milage. :{ )

 

[MFranz]

Thanks to all for the feedback. I still haven't bought one yet but will soon as were going to New Mexico at the end of the week. thanks again for sharing.



Mike

 

[DLausche]

An air hammer with the bit placed on one face edge will loosen the nut right quick with no need to worry about the pulley turning. Remember this is a left hand thread. I tried many ways with hand tools, wrenches, and such with no luck. Someone recommended the air hammer so I went out and bought one for $45 or so. The fan clutch was loose in less than 5 seconds using this method. You will have to pull either the fan shroud or the top radiator hose to get it out. The easiest way is to pull the 3 bolts out of the thermostat housing and move the hose out of the way. Way easier than messing with the fan shroud.



Sorry, I don't have any advice on the brand of clutch to go with. Mine is still the stock unit.



-Deon

 

[hsmith]

Loosen it in the direction of rotation always.

 

[Jim Brewer]

The fan nut is a 36 mm nut and you can use an 1 1/8 inch wrench. Yes it is a left hand thread and my best advise is to use a hammer on the wrench and hold the pully with a BIG set of Channel Locks.

On my 2001 ETC I had to use a 1 7/16 open end. I have some pictures and a writeup of changing the fan clutch on this post:

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...51028-my-2001-ho-over-heating.html#post990953