When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I ran the car today, burped the cooling system and the coolant temps were on the high end of what I find acceptable. I am wondering if the fan clutch should engage while simply idling or do they need airflow through the radiator to help them warm up and engage? The fan did not appear to move any more air cold vs 200* on the gauge.
No, it should engage as the temp climbs. Is it a thermal spring loaded or a viscous type clutch? I find the viscous style always engage when the engine is cold, due to a thicker fluid and again as temps climb.
I’m guessing viscous fluid as I have not seen the bi-metallic spring I’m used to seeing on other clutch fans. It’s an old early 70’s Volvo unit, I guess it could simply be bad? It has resistance but I could not tell a change after reaching 180*+ temps. I was easily able to stop its rotation with the engine running.
I used a propane torch to heat the aluminum hub. I used my temp gun and had the hub over 200* with no change in resistance. I guess I’ll use safety wire to temporarily lock it until I can get a fiction clutch/hub.
I’ve been putting in long days lately trying to get ready for a show on Sunday. Mostly body work but I did make a bracket to allow me to instal My moroso vacuum pump.