[SulphurDave]

Even though I know it's not a clutch it's a thermal unit, regardless, mine needs changing because my fan is always engaged and turns high rpms and can hear it very audibly over the motor. I'm assuming it's the unit right behind the fan itself (16)? And how hard is it to change out myself if I am mechanically inclined?

 

[dubie2003]

#16 is the part but at $120 thru courtesyparts.com makes an Efan swap even more affordible. Heck, I think I only payid 150 total for my dual efan set-up with controller.

 

[SulphurDave]

#16 is the part but at $120 thru courtesyparts.com makes an Efan swap even more affordible. Heck, I think I only payid 150 total for my dual efan set-up with controller.

Sounds like it's worth it then to do the dual efan mod... I just never looked into that because I figured it would be more simple and cheaper to replace the problem.

I guess it would be smart to look into the efan mod. I wouldn't know where to start with that though. I mean.. I did my efan setup on my street rod but that's a little different.

 

[mrgrayaz]

They are considerably cheaper at autozone, at least for first gens, check there. Pretty easy swap, You will have to take the fan shroud off....pull the 4 nuts holding the fan/clutch onto the pulley, then pull the whole fan/clutch unit out, replace clutch and rebolt on.

 

[dubie2003]

They are considerably cheaper at autozone, at least for first gens, check there. Pretty easy swap, You will have to take the fan shroud off....pull the 4 nuts holding the fan/clutch onto the pulley, then pull the whole fan/clutch unit out, replace clutch and rebolt on.

I think these steps should be swapped a little. It is easier to remove the plastic fan from the "clutch" first and the nthe clutch from the pulley. If not you will cut your hand/arm up pretty well on the plastic.

If you insist on removing the 4 nuts first, make sure you have a good closed end wrench, if it ratches it makes the job easier.

I had to do this whole procedure twice until the did the Efans and now it is much easier/cleaner.

 

[mrgrayaz]

Fair enough. Thats how I do it on the pathy/1st gen, but I have very limited fan/rad clearance. You guys probably have more.

 

[dubie2003]

Fair enough. Thats how I do it on the pathy/1st gen, but I have very limited fan/rad clearance. You guys probably have more.

Yea, once you split the shroud and remove it, you have a few inches between the fan and the radiator.

 

[Brewmeister]

This is actually a real easy repair. I just did it on my 2006 V6. Beware of the Autozone part. It was a deal at $55 bucks, unfortunately it is the wrong one. I then went with the OEM replacement. Ended up doing this job twice because of the wrong Autozone part.

Tools:
Flat blade screwdriver
10mm wrench (gear wrench makes it real easy)
10mm socket/ratchet (I used 1/4in drive)
3/8 ratchet

Take off the engine cover, and front intake tube.
Remove the 2 coolant hose retainers that are on the front of the engine. They hold 2 small coolant hoses.

It is tight but you can now get access to the 4 nuts holding the clutch to enigne. I use the 3/8 drive on the belt tensioner to pull tension off the pulley so I could easily rotate it around to get at all the nuts. Remove the 4 nuts allowing you to pull the fan/clutch assembly away from the engine.

There is enough room to remove the assembly as a unit without taking off the shroud. You will need to move the fan to the Drivers side a little and jimmy it up. The trick is to make sure you pull up on the 2 coolant hoses. Once you get clear of the serp belt it is real easy to get the hoses hung up on the flange. With a little bit of work it comes right out.

When putting it back in, lifting those 2 coolant hoses first is key, then it should slide right back in. Once it is in place I hand tightened the nuts making sure the pulley sits flat. I had to take tension off the belt a few times to get it flush. Tighten all the nuts evenly, then for a final tightening I actually applied extra tension to the belt to keep the pulley from slipping. Finish putting everything back together and you are done.

My first go at it took a good hour of fiddling around. Then when I did it again with the correct part it was 30min tops.