Fan Clutch?

scruffboy · 05-24-2007, 12:22 PM

I was at the shop recently and had the mechanic looking over my engine. He said he didn't think the fan was working up to snuff. He felt it needed a new fan clutch. His price was reasonable. I wonder about this method of checking though. With the motor running and the fan turning, he stuck a gloved hand in and stopped the fan dead in its tracks. Would this happen even with a good clutch? He didn't grab it or anything, just poked his finger in. Any thoughts folks? Mr.Nickleye, you own a shop, what do you think?

Thanks,

Scruffboy

mattfurlani · 05-24-2007, 02:37 PM

My fan clutch isn't great, but, can stop anything with a clutch. I would do it myself if I were you and had the tools.
Drain the coolant
Take the hoses out of the way (it might be easier to do both main hoses)
Remove the four nuts on the fan. try using a flare nut wrench
Take the fan out (don't scratch your radiator! It might be easier to remove the radiator first)
Unbolt the fan
Replace clutch with spankin new one
Put back in previous step order

Enjoy

Its actually probably worth more of your time to find a electric fan assembly.

That i don't know anything about.

mrnickleye · 05-24-2007, 03:29 PM

Senoir!!!!!!!!!!

That 'finger' trick is one way to diagnose a weak and worn out fan clutch. I used to do it to every car/truck that came into the shop when I was at Toyota.

But I learned quick to use a piece of old broom handle after testing one that was real good. OUCH !

If your shroud and fan are in good shape, then I'd get a new clutch. If they are not, then going electric is an option, but a bunch more work and $$$$.

CARQUEST/HAYDEN, #77222 Thermal Fan Clutch 86-92 List $92.14 Net $59.94. You'll pay somewhere between.

Same at Checkers/Shucks/Kragen.

scruffboy · 05-24-2007, 06:42 PM

Those were the quotes given me by the mechanic, so I guess he's on the money. By the way, he didn't just stick his finger in their either, he had a piece of cloth or something.

Scruff.

IHateHacks · 06-02-2007, 05:13 PM

The fan clutch for a MK3 supra is a dealer only part.

Oh sure the parts stores list a price for it, I found one store that listed it for $29.99, but go ahead and try to order it and watch the look on the idiots face as he tells you "we can't get that part, sorry."

I even tried NAPA, nope.

And guess what, its $180 at the dealer.

scruffboy · 06-03-2007, 02:17 AM

I wound up paying $90 for the fan clutch. The mechanic got it for me and no, not out of a junkyard. He also replaced a broken thermo housing bolt for me while he was at it. Cost me 170 altogether but I told him to keep the change from 180 so he could get some beer or something. The guys pretty decent. Thanks for all your input, much appreciated.

Scruff

mrnickleye · 06-03-2007, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IHateHacks

The fan clutch for a MK3 supra is a dealer only part.

Oh sure the parts stores list a price for it, I found one store that listed it for $29.99, but go ahead and try to order it and watch the look on the idiots face as he tells you "we can't get that part, sorry."

I even tried NAPA, nope.

And guess what, its $180 at the dealer.

Senoir....when I give a price (and part #) from Carquest, PartsPlus, or Kragen (Shucks & Checkers), the part is in stock at the stores I use. Or overnite from their warehouse. I have accounts at all 3, and access online 24/7. I just order online, and they bring it to me withing 30 minutes.

I gave up on the 2 NAPA stores here because they never seemed to have what I needed. And they NEVER said:

"Let me make a couple of phone calls to see if I can find it for you"......

like the other 3 say if it ain't on their shelf, because they know when I call, I need the part NOW.

PS: PartsPlus (Pacific Auto Parts) has one in stock,
#2653 Hayden, and can get 2 other brands (Four Seasons, & Airtex) overnite.

05-24-2007, 12:22 PM	#1
scruffboy walbro fp Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Kearny, New Jersey, USA Posts: 427	Fan Clutch? I was at the shop recently and had the mechanic looking over my engine. He said he didn't think the fan was working up to snuff. He felt it needed a new fan clutch. His price was reasonable. I wonder about this method of checking though. With the motor running and the fan turning, he stuck a gloved hand in and stopped the fan dead in its tracks. Would this happen even with a good clutch? He didn't grab it or anything, just poked his finger in. Any thoughts folks? Mr.Nickleye, you own a shop, what do you think? Thanks, Scruffboy

05-24-2007, 03:29 PM	#3
mrnickleye 1000whp postwhore Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Mojave Desert, Calif. Posts: 1,705	Senoir!!!!!!!!!! That 'finger' trick is one way to diagnose a weak and worn out fan clutch. I used to do it to every car/truck that came into the shop when I was at Toyota. But I learned quick to use a piece of old broom handle after testing one that was real good. OUCH ! If your shroud and fan are in good shape, then I'd get a new clutch. If they are not, then going electric is an option, but a bunch more work and $$$$. CARQUEST/HAYDEN, #77222 Thermal Fan Clutch 86-92 List $92.14 Net $59.94. You'll pay somewhere between. Same at Checkers/Shucks/Kragen. __________________ Had a Red 1989 N/A. Automatic. Sports Pkg. w/wing. TEMS, and some nice MODS. Sold to a friend 10/08/08. Last edited by mrnickleye; 05-26-2007 at 03:38 AM.

05-24-2007, 06:42 PM	#4
scruffboy walbro fp Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Kearny, New Jersey, USA Posts: 427	Thanks Mr.Nick Those were the quotes given me by the mechanic, so I guess he's on the money. By the way, he didn't just stick his finger in their either, he had a piece of cloth or something. Scruff.

06-03-2007, 02:17 AM	#6
scruffboy walbro fp Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Kearny, New Jersey, USA Posts: 427	Hi IHH I wound up paying $90 for the fan clutch. The mechanic got it for me and no, not out of a junkyard. He also replaced a broken thermo housing bolt for me while he was at it. Cost me 170 altogether but I told him to keep the change from 180 so he could get some beer or something. The guys pretty decent. Thanks for all your input, much appreciated. Scruff __________________ The only way they'll get my Supra is to pry my cold, dead fingers from the steering wheel. 89 N/A Supra, 5 speed, TEMS, Moon Roof, all stock, Black with beautiful Burgundy interior, lots of new parts, oil changed every 3 months like clockwork.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
HElp with sports clutch!!	whitequasimodo	MKIII Supra	3	05-07-2008 11:06 PM
Clutch Troubleshooting	ivire	MKIII Supra	9	11-09-2006 01:29 AM

05-24-2007, 02:37 PM	#2
mattfurlani 3" Exhaust Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 63	My fan clutch isn't great, but, can stop anything with a clutch. I would do it myself if I were you and had the tools. Drain the coolant Take the hoses out of the way (it might be easier to do both main hoses) Remove the four nuts on the fan. try using a flare nut wrench Take the fan out (don't scratch your radiator! It might be easier to remove the radiator first) Unbolt the fan Replace clutch with spankin new one Put back in previous step order Enjoy Its actually probably worth more of your time to find a electric fan assembly. That i don't know anything about. __________________ Its broke, it could be anything, and cost of repairs will greatly exceed the value of the car

06-02-2007, 05:13 PM	#5
IHateHacks 20psi boost Join Date: May 2006 Location: New Haven/Hamden Posts: 793	The fan clutch for a MK3 supra is a dealer only part. Oh sure the parts stores list a price for it, I found one store that listed it for $29.99, but go ahead and try to order it and watch the look on the idiots face as he tells you "we can't get that part, sorry." I even tried NAPA, nope. And guess what, its $180 at the dealer.