Re: Clutch Fan - too loose? (archive)

First off, why do you think it might be? Is the car overheating when it sits in traffic? There is the static test and the dynamic test. Neither is particularly conclusive IMO. WIth the engine stopped and cool, flip the fan with your fingers in the direction the engine turns. It should not turn more than about 3/4 of a turn and you should feel resistance against your attempt to spin it. A popular, unscientific way to check dynamically is to take an empty paper towell tube and push it progressively further into the blades while the engine is running. If the fan stops immediately as you start to do this, it may indicate that the clutch is slipping. You should have to put some modest degree of pressure on the tube in order to get the blades to stop. This setup is not like the old solid connection between the crank and the fan where the fan could take off a finger if you were non careful. The fan is meant to slip as the engine revs to decrease its tax on the output and ensure that a "not perfectly balanced" fan does not fly apart at 6 or 7000 rpms.

Kevin

I have an '89 750iL with 135,000 miles. How can I tell if the clutch fan needs to be replaced? The engine does not over heat but the transmission gets very warm. Possibly not moving enough air? Thanks.

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