Cooling Fan Clutch

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the engine cooling fan clutch on a 2011-2014 Ford F-150 with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Engine cooling fan clutch assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Coolant (if needed for top-off) × 1 — Motorcraft Orange Coolant

Fluids

• Motorcraft Orange Coolant — 1 qt

Preparation

1. Ensure engine is completely cool to the touch
2. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
3. Disconnect negative battery cable to prevent accidental fan engagement
4. Place drain pan under radiator drain plug if coolant removal is necessary
5. Remove engine cover by pulling upward on cover - it is retained by grommets

Procedure

1. 1

   Drain partial coolant (if necessary for clearance)
   If additional clearance is needed, open the radiator drain plug at the bottom of the radiator and drain approximately 2 quarts of coolant into the drain pan. This lowers the coolant level below the fan shroud area. Close drain plug when finished.
   Torque spec

   Coolant Drain Plug15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove radiator sight shield
   Remove the plastic radiator sight shield (upper radiator cover) by removing the retaining screws along the top edge using an 8mm socket. There are typically 4-6 screws. Lift the shield up and away from the radiator support.
   Torque spec

   Cover Screws12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Disconnect upper radiator hose (if needed)
   If clearance is limited, loosen the upper radiator hose clamp at the radiator using a flathead screwdriver or 8mm socket. Twist the hose to break it free from the radiator neck, then move it aside. Be prepared for minor coolant spillage.
   ⚠Some coolant will spill when disconnecting hose. Have shop towels ready.
   Torque spec

   Hose Clamps3 Nm (2 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove fan shroud bolts
   Locate and remove the two upper fan shroud mounting bolts using a 10mm socket. These bolts secure the fan shroud to the radiator support. The shroud will remain in place, resting on lower tabs, but can now tilt back for fan access.
5. 5

   Access the fan clutch nut
   Tilt the fan shroud back slightly to access the fan clutch nut at the center of the fan assembly. The nut is located on the water pump shaft and is a large 36mm nut. Position your fan clutch wrench on the nut.
6. 6

   Secure the water pump pulley
   Use a fan clutch holding tool or strap wrench to secure the water pump pulley from rotating. Wrap the strap wrench around the pulley or engage the holding tool on the pulley bolt holes to provide counter-resistance.
   ⚠The water pump pulley must be held firmly to prevent damage when loosening the fan clutch nut.
7. 7

   Remove fan clutch nut
   With the pulley secured, turn the 36mm fan clutch nut CLOCKWISE to loosen (reverse thread). Break the nut loose, then continue turning clockwise until the nut is completely removed from the water pump shaft. Set the nut aside.
   ⚠Remember: This is LEFT-HAND THREAD. Turn clockwise to loosen, not counterclockwise.
8. 8

   Remove fan clutch and blade assembly
   Carefully pull the fan clutch and fan blade assembly straight off the water pump shaft. The assembly is heavy and may require maneuvering to clear the fan shroud. Tilt the fan shroud back further if needed, and lift the assembly up and out of the engine bay.
9. 9

   Inspect water pump shaft and pulley
   With the fan removed, inspect the water pump shaft threads for damage or debris. Clean the threads with a shop towel. Check the water pump pulley for wobble or bearing noise by spinning it by hand. Any roughness indicates water pump issues.
10. 10

    Install new fan clutch assembly
    Thread the new fan clutch and blade assembly onto the water pump shaft by hand. Turn COUNTERCLOCKWISE (reverse thread) to tighten. Thread the clutch on until it seats against the pulley, ensuring it threads smoothly without cross-threading.
    ⚠Start threading by hand to ensure proper engagement. Cross-threading will damage the water pump shaft.
11. 11

    Torque fan clutch nut
    Secure the water pump pulley again with the holding tool or strap wrench. Using the 36mm fan clutch wrench, tighten the fan clutch nut by turning COUNTERCLOCKWISE. Tighten to manufacturer specification (typically 41-45 lb-ft for this application, though not listed in torque database - use maximum hand tightness plus 1/4 turn).
12. 12

    Reinstall fan shroud
    Position the fan shroud back into its proper location, ensuring the lower tabs engage the radiator support. Install the two upper fan shroud mounting bolts and tighten using a 10mm socket. Ensure the fan blades have adequate clearance and do not contact the shroud.
13. 13

    Reconnect upper radiator hose
    If the upper radiator hose was disconnected, slide it back onto the radiator neck and position the hose clamp over the connection. Tighten the clamp to specification ensuring a secure, leak-free connection.
    Torque spec

    Hose Clamps3 Nm (2 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Reinstall radiator sight shield and refill coolant
    Reinstall the radiator sight shield using the retaining screws. If coolant was drained, refill the cooling system with Motorcraft Orange Coolant to the proper level in the degas bottle. Reinstall the engine cover.
    Torque spec

    Cover Screws12 Nm (9 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reconnect negative battery cable
2. Verify all tools and parts have been removed from engine bay
3. Check that fan blades rotate freely without obstruction
4. Ensure all coolant hose clamps are properly tightened

Verification

• Start engine and allow to reach operating temperature while monitoring for leaks around radiator hose connections
• Verify cooling fan engages properly when engine reaches normal operating temperature
• Listen for unusual noises from fan clutch or water pump area during operation
• Check coolant level in degas bottle after engine cools and top off if necessary
• Verify no coolant leaks are present after test drive
• Confirm fan clutch engages and disengages properly based on engine temperature

More procedures for this vehicle