Fan Clutch Replacement Instructions

Hello, I'm Danny.

Normally the fan clutch tool "holding" wrench will fit completely over all four of the water pump pulley bolts to hold it in place while you use the other wrench to break the fan clutch nut free. I believe you will have to loosen by going counter-clockwise. Here is a tutorial showing how to change a fan clutch:

https://youtu.be/N_-MLVlBHk8

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/fan-clutch-removal

I've attached a few picture steps below for your truck. Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.

The fan is not spinning.

Welcome to 2CarPros.

If it isn't turning at all, it needs replaced. Here is a link that explains how one works:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-clutch-fan-works

Here is a link that explains symptoms of a bad clutch fan:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/fan-clutch-symptoms

Here is a link that explains how in general to remove / replace one:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/fan-clutch-removal

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Here are replacement directions specific to your vehicle. The attached pics correlate with the directions.

Fan - Blade and Clutch, 2.3L
Vehicle Engine, Cooling and Exhaust Cooling System Radiator Cooling Fan Fan Clutch Service and Repair Procedures Fan - Blade and Clutch, 2.3L
FAN - BLADE AND CLUTCH, 2.3L
Fan - Blade and Clutch, 2.3L


picture 1


1. Loosen the mechanical fan nut.


picture 2


2. Remove the fan and clutch assembly.
3. To install, reverse the removal procedure.

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Let me know if this helps. Also, make sure the serpentine belt is tight and not slipping on the pulley.

Take care,
Joe

Hi. I did install a new water pump, fan clutch & belt. but every time I start the vehicle for the first time, and drive off, i get this racing engine for about five to ten seconds before every thing runs smooth. This happens even if i let the engine warms up. I didn't have this problem before changing those parts. Is the fan taking too long to engage system? Thank you.

Good morning,

I attached the fan procedure for you below.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/fan-clutch-removal

As far as the high idle, that is the idle air control. I attached the procedure for that as well.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-idle-speed-control-motor-iac

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-idles-too-high

Roy

Fan - Blade

Removal and Installation
1. Remove fan shroud.


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2. Remove the bolts.


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3. Separate the fan blade from the fan clutch.
4. To install, reverse the removal procedure.

REMOVAL
1. Disconnect the battery ground cable.



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2. Disconnect the Idle Air Control (IAC) valve electrical connector.



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3. Remove the IAC valve and discard the gasket.

INSTALLATION
1. To install, reverse the removal procedure.

NOTE: Install a new IAC valve gasket.

I noticed the fan clutch was loud and I let it be for a few months. I decided to change it and now it is way louder and it does it constantly. It never stops no matter what speed I’m at or even after the truck is warmed loud all the time. I heard you had to let it break in, but I been driving it for 3 days a lot and still the same.

Hi,

It sounds like the fan clutch is locked up. I attached a test for the clutch but if it doesn't vary in speed and is loud just make sure you installed it the correct way (not sure you can install it incorrectly). I attached the procedure just to be sure.

Let me know what you find with this test and we can go from there. Thanks

I am attempting to change the water pump. It has been twenty years since I have changed one. How do I remove the fan clutch?

your gonna have to get a special tool or fabricate something to hold it as you loosen the bolts you dont do that you can really cut your hand up

[quote:9148a309ad="blackop555"]your gonna have to get a special tool or fabricate something to hold it as you loosen the bolts you dont do that you can really cut your hand up[/quote:9148a309ad] I ended up using a wrench that removes oil filter to hold the pulley. The book said to screw it off counterclock wise, but from where I was it was Clockwise to unscrew it. But the new pump showed me that. I have taken a real interest in fixing stuff. Thanks for your response. By the way. Ford put one bolt in a place that I ended up cutting it off, right behind the part that holds the a/c compressor. I don't doubt that there is a way to get that piece off to get to that one bolt, but I gave up and cut it off, I am going to attempt to not use that one bolt. That may be stupid , but I am still going to give it a whirl.

whatever has to be done to get it done! but there is a way to get everything without cutting things like that. unless its a later dodge caravan and that last bolt to the blower motor is near impossible

My truck started making a loud wind noise when accelerating and a noticeable power loss. I replaced the clutch fan with a brand new one and it's making the same noise. Could the new one be defective?

Hello my name is Dave.

It sounds to me like you have another issue other than the fan clutch, as a general rule if the clutch fails you would have the opposite symptom, the fan not pulling air and the clutch would not generally cause a loss of power. I suspect you have either a vacuum leak or a leak in the air inlet tube. I would expect you to have a check engine light on and if you do that would be the best place to start. If it is possible for you to get the code read, most auto parts stores will do this for free, and let us know the results it would help greatly in knowing how to advice you. I would recommend having it read even if it isn't on just to be on the safe side. We look forward to hearing back from you with the results thank you for choosing 2CarPros

Am trying to replace the fan clutch on my 3.0L. Is this right hand or left hand thread? The instructions with the new one said that I should put a box end wrench on one bolt of the water pump pulley and let the shank of the wrench rest on another bolt. However the pulley (and bolts) are recessed and can't get a box end onto it. When try to use a ratchet and socket, it just keeps turning. How is the easiest way to get this thing off and new one on? Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

Hello, In order to change the fan clutch you will need a special tool Pic below. I believe you will need to turn Counter Clockwise.

Here is what your fan clutch should look like....

.

The special tool as indicated on the previous post is correct. Without these, the job is nearly impossible unless you have a large enough crescent (adjustable) wrench to fit over the large nut.

Which way to turn? Instead of thinking clockwise or counterclockwise, just imagine the normal rotation of the fan. If you need to, crank the engine for a bit and remember which way it's turning in relation to you standing in front of the radiator. Stop the engine, and turn the large fan-clutch nut in the same direction of the natural spinning motion of the fan while the engine is running.

Usually, some penetrating oil helps; and definitely, you'll need to use some kind of impact force to break the initial tension off the nut to get it spinning freely.

Engine Cooling problem
1996 Ford Ranger 6 cyl Automatic 180000 miles

I am trying to remove the clutch hub assembly from the water pump drivebelt hub. A special wrench is supposed to go around the screws/bolts that hold the pulley to the water pump. However, the four screws/bolts are set inward; therefore, the flat wrench does not work. I could probably get a socket wrench on one of the bolts but I doubt holding one bolt would be enough.

I tried using a strap wrench to keep the pulley from rotating but that did not work. I cannot break the hold on the the large nut that holds the clutch to the pulley.

To better understand what I am trying to say, please look at the diagram found in figure 2 (2.9L and 3.0L engines) at the following link:
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/repairinfo/repairguide/repairGuideContent.jsp?pageId=0996b43f802c54b9

This diagram shows the bolt going into the top pulley (call it pulley-a). Pulley-a has the 4 screws/bolts that the wrench can lock onto. In the bottom pulley (call it pulley-b) the bolts are inset, which means the wrench cannot lock onto the bolts.

In my truck, the top pulley (call it pulley-1) is small and to the right of the bottom pulley (call it pulley-2). In my truck, the bolt goes into pulley-2.

Problem: Pulley-2 (my truck) looks like pulley-b (diagram). The screws/bolts are inset.

Any advice you can provide will be greatly appreciated. If someone is able to help me, I would gladly make a donation. Unfortunately, I've been seeking online help all day and continue to get the same answers--answers that do not pertain to my vehicle. (Naturally, my truck is not the norm. =[

Thank you again. I look forward to hearing from you.

Clutch fan nut is left hand thread, turn clockwise to remove it, if you cant hold with the tool, leave the belt on and apply extra tension by hand, you might be able to break it loose this way, if not, try loosening the bolts enough to get the holding tool on them.

Strap wrench... Remove the belt, wrap strap wrench around the pully for turning/holding counter clockwise and use large cresent wrench on the fan clutch and turn it clock wise.

Thanks for the help Joe, but he must have got it off, the post was from July 11...

How to remove a clutch fan

There is a special tool that is needed to remove it. What I suggest is to call around to any nationally recognized parts stores that are near you and ask if they lend or rent them. Most will lend them to you. However, they will want you to pay the cost of the tool until you return it then they return the money.

The tool is made to hold the pulley so you can turn the nut that attaches it to the waterpump.

If you have other questions, let me know. Have a great new year and thanks for using 2carpros.com.

Joe

I have a 1991 Ranger sport 3.0 ,two wheel drive.
* The fan clutch has been on for 15 yrs. and I can't break it free.
* I tried heating it with Propane .
* Question # 1 - the area where the wrench goes seems long ,how far do the threads go so I
* know what area to heat with the propane.
* Question #2 - The Ranger /Explorer Forums don't really know if it is Left Hand Thread or Right.
* 70 percent say left hand or reverse thread , so that's the way Iv'e been trying.
* Is it LEFT HAND reverse or RIGHT HAND regular.
* THANKS , Kerry S.

You can look at the threads in the new assembly or you can look at the direction the fan blade spins. A lot of them spin backward because the smooth back side of the serpentine belt goes around it in such a manner. If you were to hold the nut from spinning, the belt will turn the pulley in the direction the threads would tighten up.