New fan clutch or electric fan?

[Glenn Biggs]

Hello fellow Explorer mechanics. I would like to know if anyone has installed an electric radiator fan in their Explorer, and how well it works. My clutch in mine has gone bad and was debating wether to buy a replacement clutch or do the electric fan modification. Any comments will be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[george]

JUST REPLACED MY CLUTCH, FAN AND FAN BELT, ABOUT 30 MIN. TO COMPLETE. MY CLUTCH WENT BAD AT 92K, SO THE NEW SHOULD LAST ME THE REST OF THE LIFE OF MY TRUCK. SO IF I WAS YOU, JUST PUT IN THE REPLACEMENT PARTS!!!! $55 FOR CLUTCH, $40 FOR FORD REPLACEMENT FAN AND $20 FOR FAN BELT. JUST TO SAY ALL MY OVERHEATING WENT AWAY!!!!!!! IT RUNS GREAT NOW!!!!!!!!

 

[ntrpriz]

Also, I have not heard of anyone who is happy with an electric fan in the explorers. They just dont pull enough air.

 

[Ray Lobato]

Hi Genn,
Rick (Our Admin)tried out a electric and found out that it didn't do the job at all. If you do a search for fans, you can see his report on what happened.

 

[niceguy]

Generally speaking, retrofit electric fans don't work very well on ANY vehicle because they require a decent fan shroud to work efficiently. And who wants to spend the time and energy to fabricate one? Every OEM electric fan application that I've ever seen had a very effective shroud wrapped around the fan(s). For that matter, try removing the fan shroud for your current crank-mounted fan and see what happens to your cooling system.

IMO, electric fans are OK as an adjunct to your OEM fan for operation in extreme weather conditions. But if you really want to keep it cool in traffic or hot weather (it was 102 here today!), stick with the factory setup.

Michael

 

[rockylaurence]

I have been tinkering with the idea for some time now. I have read the reports on line and checked the costs of E/Fans. I plan on using the stock shroud and install a 16" fan to replace the stock mech. fan and mount a 12"/14" fan (pusher) in front to assist. The cost of the two "Generic" fans are less than the single "Flexalite" fan and offer some duplication should a fan fail. Here in Fl. there is a lot of MUD & water and it's nice to be able to turn the fans off when crossing water.