Fan Clutch Question 92 300E

[desperadoresear]

Anyone replaced their fan clutch with a generic OTC variety?

If so how did it work out?

thanx in advance,

J

[psfred]

So far as I know, there is no such thing as a "generic over the counter replacement" -- to put anything else in there would require fabricating another carrier.

They are expensive, but they usually last 200,000 miles or more (I believe the one in my 300D is original at 254,000 and working fine).

No one said these were cheap to maintain....

Peter

[desperadoresear]

92 300E

how does one determine if the fan clutch is gone?

I'm noticing a wobble, and it's 236M miles, most likely the original?

how can you tell?

Best,
Joe

[psfred]

Wobble is more likely the support bearing (water pump is on the other side on this car, I believe).

The fan must run up for a few seconds on startup, then slow down.

It must then engage when the rad gets hot, moving much more air than when cold.

Best way to tell is to let it get good and warm (aux fan runs once, say), then watch the fan while someone shuts it off. If the fan turns more than one turn after the engine stops, the clutch is bad.

Some people have refilled them with silicone fluid from Toyota, but I suspect they fail because the seals go bad and the new fluid will leak out in short order.

If the clutch is encrusted with dirt and very sticky oily crud, the clutch is shot -- the sticky stuff is the silicone oil.

Peter

[david s poole]

let the engine get warm then take a shop towel[or similar] and while fan turning attempt to stop the plastic blades with bunched up towel.if it is freewheeling it will slow and stop fast.