Went in to Midas to get a brake estimate.
(Brakes HAVE to be done-not sure where yet)

BUT-they said my fan clutch is going. The fan can spin while the truck is off,
and it has a small wiggle in it. To me looks like about a half centimeter wiggle.

They want 246.00 to fix it.


Need advice:
Are they blowing smoke?
What are my chances of just leaving it?

No other mechanic or service person has suggested it even when I had the water pump replaced.



2004 dakota 4.7 liter engine.
78,000 miles


tired of money issues

 

A fan clutch is an easy replacement if you have the time. If the fan really has that much play in it then you definitely need to get it replaced. Find one at a salvage yard if you can or even buy a replacement. They are about $40 new, save $200 in labor cost if you can turn a wrench a few times....

 

I am too afraid to work on a vehicle. Not enough experience even for simple things. I don't want to screw it up and have to tow it somewhere.

 

Buy one and take it into another shop. It shouldn't be more than half hour charge to replace it.

 

I have an '04 with a 4.7 as well. I took off the mechanical fan (which includes the fan clutch). You have an electrical fan as well and as long as you're not operating in temperature above 90F for over an hour you should run fine (I say this because I did this exact thing last week). I would double check that you have an electrical fan, it is right in front of the radiator in between the radiator and the engine block.

 

Midas wants 153 for a new part.

Needless to say, I am going to the place that did my water pump.

Still trying to find out how long it will last from my OP.

 

I would not use an aftermarket fan clutch. They have too many problems with bad noise and they engage too often and stay engaged too long. I had a lot of problems with a fan clutch from Auto Zone. I returned it and had to pay a lot more for an OEM fan clutch at the local Dodge dealer but it was well worth it. Do a Google search on "aftermarket fan clutch problems", there are a lot of complaints.

Jimmy

 

Start reading online and watching vids on youtube. Do your own work and save yourself a ton of cash!! My truck never ever see's a shop and dont ever plan on it either.

 

Buy new from Rockauto.com and do it yourself. I'll give you my phone number for coaching if you like. It's way too easy when you're familiar with it. No need to pay a shop that much. As 1 poster said, save the $200. No tow to worry about!

 

Rockauto shows a 4 Seasons brand for $47.99 plus shipping (get the 5% discount, tho.) Hayden is cheaper, $37.99 plus shipping and probably is made in the same plant. The Hayden has a much better warranty, too, 5 years/50,000 miles. That's probably better than OEM. Figure on up to 6 days for shipping, so you might want to source it through Autozone, O'Reilly's, NAPA, or Advanced. Here in Tucson, we have a fairly wonderful local chain, for now at least, that operates their own warehouse and can get things in about 2 hours. Price competitive, too.

I would ask the guys that did your water pump if they'll let you supply the part. Some shops won't, and none will guarantee the work if they don't source the parts themselves.

I've done a couple in the past 6 months, and both times I ended up having to create a tool (a spanner) to hold the pulley while I cranked on the clutch nut. Both fan clutches were put on with loctite. Making the tool required doing a little welding. It was not easy, and a good time was not had by all--cut up hands, too! Truthfully, I'd think that this isn't a newbie first project.