Curious about the board's thoughts on this question. My fan clutch is shot - when cold, there's minimal resistance when spinning the fan and the resistance never increases, no matter how many times it's spun.

This being said, I don't have any temp issues since installing my 180* stat. Around town, I run 190-195, and on the highway, 186-188. After I get off the highway and sit at a stoplight, it might jump up to 197 but I haven't seen it break 200.

Since the fan clutch is shot, I'm inclined to replace it, along with the fan itself. However, the usual guidance is to also replace the water pump when you do the fan clutch, since they turn on the same shaft. I don't really want to replace the water pump.

Would you replace the fan clutch and fan without replacing the water pump? Or would you just leave it as is, since the engine temps are fine?

 

I do not prophylactically replace a water pump when replacing a fan clutch and have never had an issue. As temps on Boston begin to climb you will want an operational fan clutch for *the BRUTAL* Boston traffic. I've been tempted to go electric and will likely look at that when my times comes.

* edited for realism.

 

The fan and clutch are a quick and easy job.
So much so, that it's not one of those jobs that you should do other things while you have it apart just to save time in the future(other than if you needed a new belt or idler pulleys).
No need to replace a working waterpump.

 

Great - thanks to you both for the quick consensus. In my experience people often recommended replacing both - I know the fan is a quick swap but I’d hesitated at preventatively replacing my water pump... that’s a much bigger job.

 

This is pretty much how they are designed, no? When it's cold out, there should be little resistance since you don't need as much air flow. As the ambient rises, then the resistance should increase to force more air across the rad. Number of rotations does not matter, ambient temp does.

Regardless, a new one is cheap and easy peace of mind.

 

I'd replace the fan clutch & fan blade, and while it's off I would then remove the fan belt and see how much play your water pump shaft has (very easy to check with the fan clutch/fan blade, and belt off). If you grab the pulley and it barely wiggles = you're okay for now, however if you grab it, and you can make it move enough to clunk = a replacement is in your future. Not a big job, and the 30.00 units off of Ebay have worked fine for me.

 

ahhh your system seems to be operating at optimal range. Why mess with anything

 

I'd replace it now vs wait a few weeks or a month and have it over-heat when it actually warms up outside, but that's me.