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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
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Testing fan clutch?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Trboh22
  • Start date Start date Aug 24, 2009

Trboh22

Member
Aug 19, 2002
53
0
6
Aug 24, 2009
#1
  • Aug 24, 2009
  • #1
My car is still overheating on me, I can drive around town for quite a while without any issues, but as soon as I got on the highway up to 65 mph, the temp goes up and up...It's happened twice overheating now. I have so far pulled out the plugs and cranked to check for a possible headgasket issue, and no coolant came out any cylinder. I have replaced the thermostat, pressure cap, flushed the radiator, pretty much everything. The air damn on the bottom of the car is still there...I tried spinning the fan blades this a.m. cold, and they won't spin by hand at all...wondering if the fan clutch is possibly bad...
 

1991notchbackLX

Active Member
Dec 25, 2007
1,483
47
48
New York
Aug 24, 2009
#2
  • Aug 24, 2009
  • #2
When you replaced the thermostat, did you blast the heat and A/C for a few minutes on first startup? I'd also jack the front of the car up and burp the system of any air with the radiator cap off. If you're questioning the fan clutch, just replace it. It's a cheap enough part to have the peace of mind of knowing everything is new. Good luck!
 

Trboh22

Member
Aug 19, 2002
53
0
6
Aug 24, 2009
#3
  • Aug 24, 2009
  • #3
looked a bit closer a bit ago, the radiatore is just not flowing hardly at all. Need to replace it. Aluminum or stock style? Looking to throw a 351 in at the end of the winter possibly.
 

90lxcoupe

20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 7, 2003
3,596
350
134
Aug 24, 2009
#4
  • Aug 24, 2009
  • #4
hows the waterpump?
 

Trboh22

Member
Aug 19, 2002
53
0
6
Aug 24, 2009
#5
  • Aug 24, 2009
  • #5
water pump seems good, and looks like it's been replaced fairly recently. No speepage, play, or noise coming from it. The fluid won't even drain out of the radiator it is so gummed up. Gonna replace that and see what happens. Threw a flex fan on this morning and have the same issue, so it seems to be the next logical step. Motor running you can take the cap off and see the fluid barely flowing in there. Still debating on factory $175.00 (napa), or an e-bay aluminum for about the same price...
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
34
129
Aug 24, 2009
#6
  • Aug 24, 2009
  • #6
Sounds like your fan clutch is frozen. It should never be 100% locked.

That said, I am not sure that it is the cause of running hot on the highway.
 

Trboh22

Member
Aug 19, 2002
53
0
6
Aug 24, 2009
#7
  • Aug 24, 2009
  • #7
HISSIN50 said:
Sounds like your fan clutch is frozen. It should never be 100% locked.

That said, I am not sure that it is the cause of running hot on the highway.
Click to expand...

No more clutch fan, flex fan was put on this morning. Just ordered a factory replacement rad, should be here tommorow and should have a chance to put it on wednesday. Will post back.
 
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