x2 on the blockge in radiator (fins or internal) - the fan clutch face need to heat to about 180F to fully engage.

 

I did check the fan clutch before and after, as you suggested. Thank you. It is functioning as it should according to your description.

One of my concerns was to make sure that a shop doesn't sell me something I don't need. Now that I know what isn't broken, I had another mechanic look at it (on good reference) and he found a large calcium build-up in the radiator. Since the radiator is <6 months old, he is pulling it out and going to give it a flush treatment off of the engine and replace the thermostat.

Thanks for all the good help and tips to everyone.

 

Where do you live?
You should fill the radiator yourself with ONLY distilled water.
Or put in premix Coolant.
Sounds like someone put WELL WATER into your coolant system when it was done before.

That's a no no.

Hard water has high concentrations of calcium carbonate