"Ford" viscous fan clutch

[Kira]

I have a 2005 Ford Ranger 4.0l SOHC with a failed fan clutch.
Either hot or cold, it's always stiff. A healthy turn of the fan results in only an eighth of a free spin.


1) Is it risky to buy a clutch other than Motorcraft? I ask because EVERY other brand offered online is unfamiliar.

2) Is left-handed thread involved? I can see the plastic fan bolts to the clutch with 4 bolts

 

[Chris142]

When I worked at the radiator shop we found that Hayden ones were usually too loose and usmw were too tight

 

[kschachn]

I have a 2005 Ford Ranger 4.0l SOHC with a failed fan clutch.
Either hot or cold, it's always stiff. A healthy turn of the fan results in only an eighth of a free spin.

1) Is it risky to buy a clutch other than Motorcraft? I ask because EVERY other brand offered online is unfamiliar.

2) Is left-handed thread involved? I can see the plastic fan bolts to the clutch with 4 bolts

That's normal. What matter is how it works when driving, does it always stay engaged?

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

I have never seen a thermostatic fan clutch fail that way. The old RPM based ones would.

 

[Silver]

I bought an aftermarket fan to replace a GM unit. It doesn't work like OEM. It is too stiff when cold and spins for a while before it settles down.

And no, the OEM did not do that.

 

[Rand]

I think I would cough up the 90 for OEM vs 40 for aftermarket.. sort of the same issue as thermostats.. not all work well or even work at all.

 

[ragtoplvr]

New fan clutch get shipped in a flat position, take a while to re-distribute the fluid. The test involves slipping the thermostat spring off to force it off

See how it works on the engine.

Rod