How Does A Fan Clutch Work? – Easy Tips For Homeowners
When we feel warm inside the car, we turn on the aircon, and it will work. But the process of how it can blow cold air and the mechanism inside that influences it is something not everyone knows. One of the critical mechanisms inside the engine bay of our car is the fan clutch. That is why, in this article, you will learn how does a fan clutch work.
How It Works
If humans have the hypothalamus that helps in regulating our body temperature, so does our car. Overheating is not good--be it in cars, people, animals, or appliances. That is why our vehicles are equipped with a thermostatic engine called fan clutch to keep it cool.
Fan clutch is mostly overlooked. Many think that it’s the radiator alone that cools the car. But how does a fan clutch work? When you turn on the aircon, all the components inside the car are engaged. The fan clutch will then work based on the temperature required for cooling. So the faster the blades of your fan work, the higher the cooling level is necessary for the fan clutch.
How To Tell If The Fan Clutch Is Worn
You now know the importance of a fan clutch and how does a fan clutch work. But how would you know if it is worn? Since it regulates the heat, notice the overheating in your car. If you often experience overheating, this means your fan clutch is in bad condition. You should also check the fuel consumption of your vehicle.
If it burns petrol easily, this is also an indication that your fan clutch needs a replacing. Loud noise from the hood and a decrease in your car’s acceleration is an indication. So pay attention to these before it leads to a bigger problem.
If your car isn’t working and you want to know if its fan clutch is worn, do the spin test. Get a timer and spin the fan with all your force. When you feel the resistance, good for you. But if it continuously spins, it’s time to replace it.
The Different Types Of Fan Clutch
There are three different types of fan clutch. It is better to know their differences rather than just knowing how does a fan clutch work. Below are the (3) types of fan clutch:
- Thermal fan clutch – it effectively senses the air’s temperature behind the radiation. It can be controlled at high and low speed.
- Electric fan clutch - this type of fan clutch is controlled by a signal then later influence the internal solenoid and silicone drive fluid.
- Non-thermal fan clutch – this is the most affordable among the other types.
Conclusion
In the world of automotive, fan clutch plays a significant role in the cooling system. Most often, we take it for granted, but it is as vital as the radiator. Now that you know how does a fan clutch works, you now understand how important it is. Remember that the healthier your fan clutch, the more you keep your car away from troubles like overheating and decrease in acceleration!