Urgent. Front of Fan Clutch Full of Grease, Bad?

[7Freedom7]

My '95 Ford F-350 w/ a 460 engine, fan clutch is full of dirty grease in the front, in and around the copper coil. The clutch is still tight and smooth when I turn it by hand.

Did this grease come from inside the fan clutch?

Is this an indication that the fan clutch is bad or going soon?

Should I change it now or just wait till it goes out completely?

Thank You

[mikecee48]

Yes, usually an oily residue or old grease look indicates the fan clutch is losing the wax-like liquid that makes it engage at the proper temperature. Sooner or later it'll begin overheating in the hot weather, at idle. Some leak so slow that they can go for months or a year or longer without noticeable idle cooling failure.

Another way of checking the fan clutch is to spin the fan with the engine off. If it spins too easily (many revolutions) chances are that it's not fully engaging at operating temperature, even though it looks like it's spinning enough. Spin one on another car/truck for comparison. One other quick check is to grab the fan and see if it wobbles. If the bolts are tight, and it wobbles, chances are the fan clutch is plumb worn out.

[teg_b18c1]

Originally Posted by mikecee48

Yes, usually an oily residue or old grease look indicates the fan clutch is losing the wax-like liquid that makes it engage at the proper temperature. Sooner or later it'll begin overheating in the hot weather, at idle. Some leak so slow that they can go for months or a year or longer without noticeable idle cooling failure.

Another way of checking the fan clutch is to spin the fan with the engine off. If it spins too easily (many revolutions) chances are that it's not fully engaging at operating temperature, even though it looks like it's spinning enough. Spin one on another car/truck for comparison. One other quick check is to grab the fan and see if it wobbles. If the bolts are tight, and it wobbles, chances are the fan clutch is plumb worn out.

x2

I would replace the fan clutch before it overheats and blows a head gasket