The Importance of Fan Clutch Replacement

The Weather Is Heating Up

After a harsh winter driving through snow, we can't blame truckers for their excitement over the spring season, butwith the changing season comes new challenges that truck drivers will face. Since the weather turned from bitter cold to a now more pleasant temperature, heavy-duty trucks require attention of certain parts - such as engine components - to prepare for the warm weather.

One of the most common problems that truckers will face this season and moving into summer is with fan clutches and will become increasingly more noticeable as the days get hotter. Now is the time to talk about what the fan clutch does for your engine cooling system, the warning signs of bad fan clutch, and how to replace it on commercial vehicles.

What Is a Fan Clutch?

Think of those toasty summer days when you plop in front of a fan to cool yourself down. Well, it's the same for your engine. When the engine becomes hot, the fan engages to cool down the engine system; then, disengages when the engine is back to running at a cooler temperature. Checking on fan clutches was not a particular issue in the fall and winter months since the temperatures kept the engine at normal operation. Now, without the fan clutch, the engine is likely to overheat which can occur at lower speeds on warm days.

Types of Fan Clutches

There are different kinds of fan clutches, butsome of the most popular kinds are viscous fan clutches and two-speed fan clutches.

Viscous fan clutches are belt driven and are typically used on vehicles cruising at lower speeds (35 mph or less). To engage this fan drive, internal valves open and allow silicone-based oil to fill the clutch's working area. Friction between the drive plates will occur and allow the fan to engage (spin).

A two-speed fan clutch is also a popular option on large trucks. In this type of fan drive, the fan will rotate 15-25 percent of the engine RPM after the fan clutch is disengaged. This allows for efficient airflow to the engine without drawing a lot of horsepower.

In addition to on/off fan clutches, and direct-sensing fan clutches, there is a fan drive for all kinds of commercial vehicles on the market today.

Warning Signs of a Failing Fan Clutch

As mentioned, the most common sign of a bad fan clutch is engine overheating. This will become noticeable at low speed or when stopped. On the contrary, excessive fan noise at high speeds is a sign that it's time for a replacement. Lastly, if your truck has a decrease in acceleration (power) or fuel economy, it's most likely caused by a bad fan clutch.

You can perform a "spin test" on your fan clutch to see if it's moving accordingly. Spin the fan as hard as you can before the engine has started for the day. If the fan rotates more than five times without resistance or won't spin at all, then the clutch is bad.

Don't drive your big rig with a failing fan drive or you may find yourself stranded on I-95 somewhere that isn't your destination.

Best Fan Clutches for Semi Trucks

When shopping for replacement fan clutches for your big rig, consider buying a Horton fan clutch. Horton has over 65 years of expertise in engine cooling systems and carries different types of variable-speed fan clutches for all types of applications that are easy to install. Whether you are looking for a certain type of fan clutch, or a complete repair kit, choose Horton!