In addition to the clutch bearings, there are two other critical parts of the fan system: the thermostatic spring and the fan clutch. Without these parts, your truck will overheat and become unusable. Likewise, overheating can destroy other engine parts, including the lubricating oil. If your truck’s fan clutch fails, the entire cooling system will suffer. If you replace the fan clutch, you can be rest assured that the rest of your truck engine parts are intact.

• A failing fan clutch can result in overheating and can cause significant damage to the vehicle’s engine. A fan clutch should not be installed with any cardboard in the radiator. Check the speed of the fan with a photo-tachometer or probe-type thermometer to detect free play. A clutch that offers very little resistance when spun by hand indicates a failure. The fan may also wobble or show signs of silicone radiating from the clutch’ center.
• If the fan is not installed properly, check the bolts for loose or damaged screws. They should be finger-tight when seated properly. If they are not, then they’re likely cross threaded. You can also check the torque specifications by reading the service manual or instructions that came with the new fan clutch. After replacing the fan clutch, test it for operation to ensure that it’s properly installed.
• To determine whether your fan clutch is damaged, you should open the hood of your truck and listen to the engine. If it’s making a clunking or clicking noise, it’s probably time to replace it. Often, a bad clutch can simply be a faulty thermal spring or bearing. A replacement is easy if you know what to look for and how to check for a leak.
• You can check your truck engine parts yourself by using a scan tool to diagnose any problems. A tachometer can measure the speed of the fan, but it can also be confusing if the blades are free-playing instead of moving. Check the speed with a photo-tachometer. If you notice more than half an inch of flex in the fan blades, that’s a sign of a damaged fan clutch.