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Replace fan clutch with water pump?

RedMF40

RedMF40

Well-known Member
I'm in the middle of replacing my water pump, '99 Ford E350 SD. The pump I bought has a note that strongly suggests replacing the fan clutch at the same time. I wouldn't know how to assess the condition of the fan clutch.

Should I just spend the additional $100 to be on the safe side? Truck has 70K miles.

Thanks for any thoughts.
Gerrit
 
You can look up symptoms of a bad fan clutch on the internet to see if the one you have is going bad, but yes, since you're already there, you should get a new one.
 
Another option is to install an electric fan and thermostat to replace the existing fan. They improve milage, and eliminate mush noise. If the clutch is pretty easy to change, I would run it as is. if difficult, or requiring draining and removal of the radiator, I would change it. Jim
 
Thanks for the replies. Local parts store has 2 options--universal fit fan clutch or severe duty and they're the same price oddly enough. I'll pick one up when I get to the truck later today.
Gerrit
 
with just 70k miles i would not be replacing it. feel it for wobble, turn it and see how it feels. even placing a water pump at 70k is not
usual. but thats me with my thoughts.
 
(quoted from post at 11:18:38 09/11/23) with just 70k miles i would not be replacing it. feel it for wobble, turn it and see how it feels. even placing a water pump at 70k is not
usual. but thats me with my thoughts.
Click to expand...
obble has nothing to do with it. It's a viscous coupling.
 
At 70000 miles myself i would not be worrying about the fan clutch till ya had double that on the clock . On my 88 Ford F 350 with 460 it was still on the org . water pump and clutch fan when i sold the truck with 278000 hard miles on it . Our 2003 Dodge Durango i had to change it around 210000 miles along with the water pump on the 360 V 8 .One way ya can tell if and when they are going bad is when they will spin free sorta spin when cold as they should have a slight drag on them when cold or when ya can wobble them . But once they start to warm up they they spin more freely till they have hot air going across them then they start to loc up as they cool down then they spin free once again.
 
I just had to have the fan clutch on my '04 with 170.000 miles. It was still holding enough to cool the engine but not enough to cool the AC condenser when the air temps went over 100F.
 
The blade on the fan clutch would be loose if it was going out. The water pumps go out far more often than the fan clutches so I wouldn't change them together. Wait until there is cause.
 
(quoted from post at 14:31:53 09/11/23) The blade on the fan clutch would be loose if it was going out. The water pumps go out far more often than the fan clutches so I wouldn't change them together. Wait until there is cause.
Click to expand...
id you notice what he's working on?
 

I have had very poor luck over the years with aftermarket fan clutches, and can think of three or four times over the years when the weren't a good match/replacement for the OEM unit.

Either they don't drive the fan fast enough or are too aggressive for the version of fan they are paired with.

The most recent experience was with a 2001 GMC Yukon.

The fan clutch seemed little weak, with poor A/C cooling around town, so I decided to replace it.

GM wants around $500, so, using the GM number looked up by VIN at the dealer I crossed it over to a Four Seasons clutch. ($90)

It never slacks off, the fan SCREAMS all the time, even on cool days, at highway speeds.
 
(quoted from post at 15:27:16 09/11/23)
I have had very poor luck over the years with aftermarket fan clutches, and can think of three or four times over the years when the weren't a good match/replacement for the OEM unit.

Either they don't drive the fan fast enough or are too aggressive for the version of fan they are paired with.

The most recent experience was with a 2001 GMC Yukon.

The fan clutch seemed little weak, with poor A/C cooling around town, so I decided to replace it.

GM wants around $500, so, using the GM number looked up by VIN at the dealer I crossed it over to a Four Seasons clutch. ($90)

It never slacks off, the fan SCREAMS all the time, even on cool days, at highway speeds.
Click to expand...
've bought brand new, defective parts too.
 
Yes , I know that , basically saying just spin it and see
how things feel. Should have resistance. And there is still
a shaft in there.
 
On older vehicles, maybe. Newer vehicles have electronic fan clutches that go out without warning.
Better to waste $100 than an engine on a trip.
 
Still working on it. It's parked at a friend's place and he happens to be an expert Ford mechanic except he currently does custom rides, hot rods, high-end modifieds. Anyway, he has a tool I need to break loose the nut that holds the fan clutch on. He'll be around tomorrow. That nut ain't coming off for nothing, tried a few home-made remedies and it just laughed.

This fan clutch doesn't have any electronics, just bolts onto the water pump best I can tell. I picked up a new one this afternoon. Not doing this job again, might cure me of working on my own stuff.

Gerrit
 
Those things are a real pain to work on. No place for your hands, stuff everywhere. Are you changing out the thermostat while you're at it? Hoses? Belts?
 
(quoted from post at 19:11:38 09/11/23) Those things are a real pain to work on. No place for your hands, stuff everywhere. Are you changing out the thermostat while you're at it? Hoses? Belts?
Click to expand...

Might do the top hose since it's already undone and easy to get to. T-stat should be done but will have to wait. Under the gun as I need to get this truck back on the road for work. Putting a new serpentine belt on. Old one was maybe a year old at most but got shredded when the water pump failed and threw the belt. Truck only has the one belt.

Would have had it towed to the shop I use until I saw the cost of a heavy duty tow--over $1200. No joy in working on these, very tight as you mentioned and the front is high so it helps if you're at least 6 foot six, which I'm not. I use a stepladder just to be able to see what I'm doing. Be glad when this is behind me.

Gerrit
 
Finished the truck. New water pump, fan clutch and serpentine belt. Nasty, hateful job. NEVER AGAIN.
Gerrit
 
(quoted from post at 19:44:16 09/12/23) Finished the truck. New water pump, fan clutch and serpentine belt. Nasty, hateful job. NEVER AGAIN.
Gerrit
Click to expand...
een there, done that. Ruined the t-shirt.
 
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