Is my new fan clutch letting temps reach too high?

[adventureboss]

My old Hayden fan clutch died a while back and I replaced it with a Duralast fan clutch which is made by USMW. That fan clutch was bad out of the box because it was locked ALL the time and overcooling. I replaced it under warranty with another one and now I've noticed that my temps are creeping up to 215-218ish on the highway when it is 90+ outside before I can hear the clutch kick on. Is this typical? I'm currently in San Jose but I'm worried about what'll happen when I go back to Phoenix with this fan clutch that isn't so aggressive.

My gas mileage is great now but it used to sit under 210 on the highway before. Also, I have flushed the radiator, checked the other cooling system components, etc. several times so I don't think there's any crap left in the system at all. No fancy upgrades, everything is stock and OEM with the exception of a OE spec CSF radiator because I couldn't find a mopar.

 

[macleanflood]

I haven't had any luck with Duralast parts. You've answered your own question. I think you just need a little encouragement to order the correct Hayden fan clutch.

Here's the resources thread with part number suggestions... (and the third time today I've linked this.)

Thread 'Jeep Wrangler TJ Cooling System Overhaul FAQ'

Jan 23, 2017

Should I replace my entire cooling system at once?
It's a wise thing to do, yes. Let's say you buy a used Jeep Wrangler TJ with 100k plus miles on it. Well, first and foremost you have to know that as I'm writing this in 2017, your vehicle is anywhere between 20 years old (if it was made in 1997) to 11 years old (if it was made in 2006). Either way, if you have no record of the cooling system having been replaced, then you're on your stock cooling system, and even if the miles are lower, that's still a lot of time for a cooling system. Plastic and rubber wear out over time, as...

• Chris
• Replies: 331
• Forum: TJ Resources

• 

-Mac

 

[GoldenGorilla]

215 isn't crazy high, but if you've normally run at like 198, I'd want to check too. Normally at actual highway speed, not stop and go bs, the fan clutch doesn't have an effect on the cooling compared to flow through the radiator. Are you getting the coolant temps off the ODBII or the dash? Are you running a stock Mopar or Denso radiator? Are you running the factory fan shroud? What are your ambient temps?

 

[TheBoogieman]

Are you running a stock Mopar or Denso radiator?

CSF radiator.

 

[adventureboss]

I haven't had any luck with Duralast parts. You've answered your own question. I think you just need a little encouragement to order the correct Hayden fan clutch.

Here's the resources thread with part number suggestions... (and the third time today I've linked this.)

Thread 'Jeep Wrangler TJ Cooling System Overhaul FAQ'

Jan 23, 2017

Should I replace my entire cooling system at once?
It's a wise thing to do, yes. Let's say you buy a used Jeep Wrangler TJ with 100k plus miles on it. Well, first and foremost you have to know that as I'm writing this in 2017, your vehicle is anywhere between 20 years old (if it was made in 1997) to 11 years old (if it was made in 2006). Either way, if you have no record of the cooling system having been replaced, then you're on your stock cooling system, and even if the miles are lower, that's still a lot of time for a cooling system. Plastic and rubber wear out over time, as...

• Chris
• Replies: 331
• Forum: TJ Resources

• 

-Mac

I haven't had a good time with Duralast parts either, but this fan clutch was USMW branded. Made in the US and I've heard they are a good company? I also have heard the USMW fan clutches are not as aggressive though. Maybe I'll try driving back to Phoenix with it and see how it does. If it runs hot I'll swap it out with a Hayden

 

[adventureboss]

215 isn't crazy high, but if you've normally run at like 198, I'd want to check too. Normally at actual highway speed, not stop and go bs, the fan clutch doesn't have an effect on the cooling compared to flow through the radiator. Are you getting the coolant temps off the ODBII or the dash? Are you running a stock Mopar or Denso radiator? Are you running the factory fan shroud? What are your ambient temps?

I think I used to be at 205-210ish, sometimes a tad more in Phoenix on the highway. I'm getting the coolant temps off the OBDII. The dash seems to stay at 210 no matter what the actual temperature is. And CSF radiator with the factory fan shroud. Ambient temps are 85-90 degrees.

So I keep hearing that the fan clutch doesn't have an effect on the cooling at highway speeds, however when I was driving on the 10 back to AZ when it was 106 outside, the old fan clutch (Hayden) died. I saw the temperatures creep up from 213ish to 225. So it seems like the additional airflow does make some difference, just not much.

 

[macleanflood]

I haven't had a good time with Duralast parts either, but this fan clutch was USMW branded. Made in the US and I've heard they are a good company? I also have heard the USMW fan clutches are not as aggressive though. Maybe I'll try driving back to Phoenix with it and see how it does. If it runs hot I'll swap it out with a Hayden

Lots of companies do what's called binning. QC will inspect the products. All the good stuff gets sold as premium parts. Anything in a batch or lot that had issues gets sold out the back door to companies like AutoZone and Duralast.

I did the same thing with my fuel pump...instead of buying a Delphi I bought a Brute Power. Guessing they're both made in the same factory in China.

Sometimes you gamble and win on binning... usually you just lose on all counts.

-Mac

 

[adventureboss]

Lots of companies do what's called binning. QC will inspect the products. All the good stuff gets sold as premium parts. Anything in a batch or lot that had issues gets sold out the back door to companies like AutoZone and Duralast.

I did the same thing with my fuel pump...instead of buying a Delphi I bought a Brute Power. Guessing they're both made in the same factory in China.

Sometimes you gamble and win on binning... usually you just lose on all counts.

-Mac

Hmm... interesting. So Duralast could be rejected USMW fan clutches? Well, I'll try running it in Phoenix and see how it holds up. In those weather conditions it's gotta be locked all the time in the city. If I don't hear it doing that or it's letting the temps creep up too much I'll swap it out.