When replacing my fan clutch should I change my cooling fan to a flex-a-light and get a new flex-a-light clutch?
I am replacing my fan clutch but when I was ordering it I noticed that they are much newer and better cooling fans than my old 69 model. Some require this new flex-a-light clutch while other don't require any clutch at all. So I'm wondering which would be easier and more affordable to get? A flex-a-light cooling fan that requires a flex-a-light clutch or a higher price flex-a-light cooling fan that doesn't require a clutch at all? But then again how would that fan even hook on?
My car has 67000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi there. It is best to always put on the OEM parts that are required for the vehicle. However, you can get a flex-a-light clutch fan for your vehicle as long as it will bolt up to your water pump pulley and clear the radiator and shroud. I recommend having a clutch design fan for your vehicle and not a fan that spins with the engine all the time. Those fans will cause the engine to overheat on highways and in town especially in hot weather. If you need further assistance with your cooling fan, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
For high rpm use, flex fans are considered an upgrade over clutch fans. They can be a good choice for modified vehicles turning 6,000 – 8,000 rpm. Advantages include: They move more air for better cooling.
Rigid fans: simple and effective, they move lots of air but they do consume power and can be noisy. Flex fan: a sophisticated version of a rigid fan. The pitch of the blades on a flex fan will pull lots of air at low speeds then flatten out at higher speeds for less drag.
According to Hayden, here are some signs your fan clutch might need replaced: Fan spins excessively when engine is stopped (three or more times when hot engine is shut off). Poor A/C performance at idle or low vehicle speeds. Fan speed does not increase when engine is hot.
The biggest advantage to flex fans is their ability to pull more air through the radiator at an idle than a clutch-operated fan. This is particularly useful on engines running high compression ratios that are more difficult to cool.
A good RPM for a ceiling fan is between 200-300 RPM, as it provides a comfortable breeze without generating excessive noise or consuming too much power. However, the ideal RPM may vary depending on factors such as the fan size, room size, and ceiling height.
13“, 15“, 17“, 18“ or 19“ Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Standard Rotation Flex Fan, Black Hub. Rated up to 10,000 rpm, these heavy duty standard rotation fans feature thick black steel hubs and 6 stainless reinforced blades with a large surface area that improve performance and fuel economy.
We`ll jump right into the heart of the matter: An electric fan is the better performance solution, freeing up maximum horsepower and mpg. But it`s not always the better cooling solution. The full answer to this question is that both electric and belt-driven fans have their place.
All things being equal, a centrifugal fan: Is more energy efficient.
Centrifugal fans are among the most efficient and adaptable types of air-moving equipment.
At what temperatures do fan clutches engage? Answer: Most fan clutches engage at about 170°F air temperature (about 180-190°F engine temperature). They reduce the temperature about 20°F before disengaging.
Decrease in power, acceleration, and fuel efficiency
A stuck fan clutch will cause excessive, unnecessary drag on the engine, which can cause a drop in power, acceleration, and fuel efficiency, sometimes to a quite noticeable degree.
All things being equal, a centrifugal fan: Is more energy efficient.
All things being equal, a centrifugal fan: Is more energy efficient.
Metal fan blades are incredibly durable and will last for years. They are also very easy to clean and often come with a protective coating, typically of zinc and silicon.
Use the lowest speed possible
First of all, it pays to understand that fans are usually most efficient at their lowest speed setting. Turning up the power shifts more air, but it uses more electricity, generating more heat and noise in the process. Try to stick with the slowest speed that produces an effective draft.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
When replacing my fan clutch should I change my cooling fan to a flex-a-light and get a new flex-a-light clutch?
ANSWER : Hi there. It is best to always put on the OEM parts that are required for the vehicle. However, you can get a flex-a-light clutch fan for your vehicle as long as it will bolt up to your water pump pulley and clear the radiator and shroud. I recommend having a clutch design fan for your vehicle and not a fan that spins with the engine all the time. Those fans will cause the engine to overheat on highways and in town especially in hot weather. If you need further assistance with your cooling fan, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
I had dual cooling fans, the replacement part was a single larger cooling fan. Now I get aengine light about my cooling system. Ho
ANSWER : Hello,
You should check with the person you bought the fan from. I show a listing of a single or a dual fan system. You should replace the fan with the same as what was removed. You should not use the single fan when you were equipped with a dual fan system. The wiring and programming is different depending on how it was made.
You should check with the person you bought the fan from. I show a listing of a single or a dual fan system. You should replace the fan with the same as what was removed. You should not use the single fan when you were equipped with a dual fan system. The wiring and programming is different depending on how it was made.
Cooling fan continue to run. Replaced cooling fan switch and temperature switch, replace relays 1999 Honda
ANSWER : Hi there – yes, some Honda models (Accord) have a cooling fan control module, and some models have a timer for the cooling fan. This feature would allow the cooling fan to continue to run for a brief period after the engine is shut off to bring engine temperature down. Since you don’t mention which model Honda you have, it’s hard to speculate which components you have, and where they are located. I would suggest a cooling system inspection by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.
Clutch pedal stays to floor. Replaced master cylinder. Clutch push rod broke. Also do I need to change slave cylinder
ANSWER : If you have an issue with your clutch pedal going to the floor, the slave cylinder is normally the cause of this circumstance.
Also, if the push rod has been broken the first step would be to track down a new one because that push rod is a very necessary part of the clutch pedal system.
Once a new push rod has been located and installed, I would recommend having a new slave cylinder installed as well.
If you are in doubt about this repair, I would recommend having it performed by a qualified professional, such as one from YourMechanic. One of our mobile technicians will be able to come to your home to diagnose the issue with your clutch pedal and replace your clutch slave cylinder as necessary.
My 2003 honda civic EX 1.7L is overheating. I replace the thermostat, replace the cooling fan temperature switch, remove the radia
ANSWER : It is likely your engine has a blown head-gasket, worn out water pump or somehow has a huge air bubble inside the engine that needs to be bled. The drop in engine temperature while on the freeway is actually a good sign – it indicates your radiator is getting good coolant flow, and the radiator is doing its job, transferring heat out of the engines cooling system. A YourMechanic certified technician can come to your location to perform a Car is overheating Inspection on your vehicle and help you diagnose and repair this issue.
My cooling fan won’t turn on when I turn the ac on. Relays and fuses are good, tested the fan with the battery and it came on??
ANSWER : Hi there. In general, a situation like this occurs when either the thermostat housing or temperature sensor is not relaying the information to the fan motor to activate. However, it’s also possible that there is some electrical short within the cooling system relay’s that is causing the fan motor to not activate when it should. I think the best way to determine the precise source of this problem is to have a professional mechanic come to your location to complete an onsite inspection so they can test all systems to help isolate the root problem and recommend the right repairs.
Cooling fan runs constantly – 2003 Saturn L200
ANSWER : Hi there – I think you are on the right track looking at the cooling fan control module as the failure point. I would not expect that you fixed anything by jiggling it. Most likely, a relay is stuck shut (burned contacts), which is causing the fan to continue to run after shutting off the engine. Jiggling it may have created enough vibration to "unstick" the contacts. I would recommend an electrical component inspection by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.
2006. Chrysler 300c ac on and making a squeaking sound and the clutch is not engaging fully.
ANSWER : The A/C compressor clutch on this vehicle can be removed without taking the compressor out or disturbing the refrigerant charge. To determine whether it is necessary to replace the compressor, once you get the clutch out if the friction friction material surfaces are oily, inspect the shaft and nose area of the A/C compressor for refrigerant oil. If refrigerant oil is found, the compressor shaft seal is leaking and the A/C compressor must be rebuilt or replaced (they are rebuildable; you can just put a new shaft seal in). Check the clutch pulley bearing for roughness or excessive leakage of grease. Replace the pulley and bearing assembly, if required. You might check the clutch relay, just in case it is intermittent, thus causing your problem. If you desire that a certified mechanic resolve the issue that you are having with the clutch/compressor, please simply request an a/c clutch compressor diagnostic/replacement and the responding mechanic will get it diagnosed and repaired for you. Please let us know if you have further concerns or questions as we are always here to help you.
