So I thought my fan clutch was hooped because the fan was always spinning full blast all the time. I checked it by trying to turn the fan by hand when engine was off and cool. It turned but it was not spinning freely, it was stiff, but did turn, although it was turning the pulley as well. So went and got a new fan clutch yesterday and this morning was in the process of removing the old one. I had just loosened one of the four bolts on the old clutch when i noticed that the fan freed up and now was spinning freely and not turning the pulley anymore. So i tightened up the bolt I just had loosened and started up the truck. Everything was fine!!?? WTF???

The only thing I noticed was that there was a little red rubber seal thing that was now slid up the shaft where the fan bolt is and im thinking maybe that seal was somehow wedged in and was causing the clutch to stick.

So now I dont know what to do. Is everything fine now and should I return the new clutch or do you think this was just a fluke and that its going to start sticking again??


Man I hate when this kind of stuff happens. Id hate to return the clutch get dinged with a restocking fee and then find out I needed the clutch after all. I also hate paying to replace parts that arent needed...

BTW I also wiggled the fan fore and aft and did notice that there's a bit of play there. Is that normal or should it be completely tight?

Any advice of whats going on and what I should do?

 

I would just keep the new clutch, it doesn't hurt to have a backup.

 

And as for the play in the fan when i wiggle back and forth, is that a bad sign?

 

Honestly I have no clue. I can go check mine out later and see if mine has some play in it.