I have previously "rebuilt" (re-applied silicone) a viscous fan clutch for an old 280Z using the procedure described here:

http://www.nichols.nu/tip482.htm

I'd like to do the same thing for my 2000 Dakota 4.7L. Has anyone successfully re-applied silicone to the Dodge fan clutch? If so, which viscosity worked (Toyota sells 3,000 CST, 4,000 CST and 10,000 CST.. I am not sure of other sources)?

Thanks, Chris

 

You could also just get rid of it altogether and install an electric fan with a temp controller.

 

Interesting, what are the benefits of doing so versus a functioning clutch fan?

 

Free up your engines power, and also eliminate the obnoxious roar the engine fan produces. I dont remember if this is 2nd gen Dak or 1st gen Durango but in the durango I know for a fact there is information on it in the FAQ section.

 

It would seem to me that the benefits do not in any way outweigh the associated costs.

Do you have any advice as to the viscosity rating I should seek for the silicone fluid?

 

By freeing up power you can gain MPG, with gas at $4 a gallon, what don't you see as a benefit?

 

What motor do you have? I've had the clutch fan off of my 4.7 the past at least 30-40k miles if not more, with no problems what so ever. Even sit and go traffic in hot weather has been fine.

 

Saving fuel is a benefit. But that benefit combined with the others listed still do not outweigh the costs.

Not taking further fuel cost increases into account, a brief calculation:

At 14 MPG a 3% fuel savings (optimistic) at $4 / gallon results in a savings of ~$0.009 / mile. At $150 (optimistic) for a comparable electric fan and temp controller.. it would take ~17,000 miles for the benefit to outweigh the cost. Possibly a worthwhile upgrade depending on the owner's use patterns.

At 4.5 MPG (very short drives including woods roads on a farm) a 5% fuel savings (optimistic) at $4 / gallon results in a savings of ~$0.044 / mile. At $150 (optimistic) for a comparable electric fan and temp controller.. it would take me ~3,400 miles to realize a savings. This is my case, and that amounts to approximately 9 years with my current use patterns. Not a good payback in my estimation.

I do have the 4.7L. Did you replace the fan with an electric one, or just leave the stock auxiliary fan?

Thanks - Chris

 

if you have the 4.7 with the factory electric fan, that is what moparman is talkin about. pull off the clutch fan and just use the electric fan. i havent had or heard on this forum of an overheating issue. some Daks dont come with the electric fan.

 

If you decide to refill the clutch fan I would probably go with the 6,000 or 10,000 since there may be a time in the future when you need to tow something. You can get the silicone from a hobby shop that sells Traxxis R/C cars. I think you can get it in varying degrees of CPS (1,000 through 7,000). And as far as I can tell, CPS and CST are "roughly" the same.

I would also use a syringe to ensure you get the correct amount added (what ever that may be for our clutch fan's because there were two versions (Severe Duty and Heavy Duty)). To much and the fan will run more than it should, sapping power and reducing fuel mileage.