How do I know if my clutch fan is still good?

[s8filmaker]

Anyone? The fan spins when I turn it with my finger (engine off) in both directions. I assume it is working as it also spins when I run the car.

Just curious if I need to change out my metal blade for anything more efficient. I only ask because I ordered the autozone three core rad and new belt.

No comments on electric fans please - I know those are better but I am not going there...yet that is. $250 later I might?

Thanks if anyone can help.

mike

[frankiesaysrelax]

The fan shouldn't spin freely. There should be some resistance in the fan clutch. If you spin the fan with your finger and it goe wheeeeee around and around, the fan clutch is bad. Also, if there is anything leaking out of it, its bad. If there is too much side to side play in it, it is bad.

[ponydude]

The fan should spin freer when cold than when hot. There should be some resistance when the clutch is warm.

[s8filmaker]

My car was stone cold and no I could not get it to make a complete rotation (I like my fingers) so there was some resistance...never thought of trying it when warm.

Sounds like it is still good.

[MurPHy]

It is as everybody says. If it freewheels, it's shot. If it does NOT spin at all, it's locked up, and is shot. Otherwise, it's good. The only "upgrade" I know of for the stock thermostatic fan clutch is to switch to an SSP version, which supposedly is more efficient, and induces less parasitic loss than the stock one.

[v8only]

LIGHTLY rub a rolled newspaper against the fan while the car is running. If the clutch is bad, the newspaper will easily stop the fan from spinning.

[s8filmaker]

Thank you...I will try the newspaper trick... I am starting to think that is why my car cools down at idle (even doing 60mph) but gets hot when running at speed since the fan is getting some wind resistance and failing to do what it should...just a thought...Back to autozone for a new clutch fan if it is indeed shot...hope they sell them! You guys supplied me with the rad part number, I appreciate that alot. Good reading too in the archives. Can you buy fan clutches new at autozone?

mike