Fan Clutch Improves Performance?

[BamaDrewski]

Did some work on my 2000 T4R yesterday and as it is 12 years old, I replaced the fan clutch on the cooling fan. I did not honestly expect any performance improvement and did this just as preventative maintenance. With the hot Alabama summer breathing down my neck, I wanted to make sure my cooling system was in order. To my surprise (an perhaps I am fooling myself) I noticed a BIG improvement in performance on the engine. Am I crazy or is there something to this? Anyone know?

 

[kwelklin]

Comon Man !?

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

^^ what a weird first post...

 

[chimpy]

Comon Man !?

:wtf: Doesn't make sense and spelled wrong. Come on man!

 

[TheDurk]

Depends. If the fan clutch is locked up, it will rob several hp from the motor by being engaged full-time. It usually fails by NOT engaging when it should, but it's possible to lock up, too.

 

[fenrisx]

:wtf: Doesn't make sense and spelled wrong. Come on man!

I think it was spelled that way intentionally, much like "c'mon man" would be used.

I replaced my clutch fan about a year + a few months ago... the only difference I noticed was my truck not running hot at idle, and it seemed louder after the replacement. I would have enjoyed a power boost.

 

[02SE]

Depends. If the fan clutch is locked up, it will rob several hp from the motor by being engaged full-time. It usually fails by NOT engaging when it should, but it's possible to lock up, too.

Yep. I had a Datsun 720 4x4 truck that the fan clutch locked up solid on. It sounded like an airplane coming down the road, so I was told. After replacing it, the engine no longer had the constant drag of spinning the fan, and felt noticeably stronger.

 

[BamaDrewski]

Thanks everyone. I know it sounds crazy and that's why I had to put this out there for some responses. Looks like it is "possible" to get better performance with this fan clutch thing. Strange thing is, I did not even know the clutch was going out or bad. I just replaced it as I was bored and needed my "tinkering fix" for the weekend. Glad I did!