Cooling Fan Clutch

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the engine cooling fan clutch on the 2015-2020 Ford F-150 with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Engine cooling fan clutch assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification or quality aftermarket
• Coolant (top-off) × 1 — Motorcraft Orange Coolant VC-3DIL-B

Fluids

• Motorcraft Orange Coolant — 1 qt

Preparation

1. Ensure engine is completely cold (minimum 2 hours after last operation)
2. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
3. Disconnect negative battery cable to prevent accidental fan activation
4. Remove engine cover by pulling upward on front edge, then lifting assembly free
5. Place drain pan under radiator and partially drain coolant to below upper radiator hose level using coolant drain plug

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove air intake system components
   Disconnect the mass airflow sensor electrical connector. Loosen the hose clamp at the throttle body using a flathead screwdriver or 7mm socket. Remove the air intake tube by pulling it free from the throttle body and air filter housing. Set aside to provide access to fan shroud.
2. 2

   Disconnect upper radiator hose
   Locate the upper radiator hose connection at the radiator. Use pliers to compress and slide the hose clamp back approximately 2 inches from the radiator neck. Twist the hose gently to break the seal, then pull straight off the radiator fitting. Have a shop towel ready to catch residual coolant.
3. 3

   Remove fan shroud mounting bolts
   Locate the four fan shroud mounting bolts on the upper edge of the radiator support. Using a 10mm socket, remove all four bolts completely. Carefully lift the fan shroud up approximately 2 inches, ensuring it clears the radiator mounting tabs but remains in position over the fan assembly.
4. 4

   Secure the water pump pulley
   Position the fan clutch holding tool or strap wrench around the water pump pulley to prevent it from rotating. Ensure the tool is securely gripping the pulley and will not slip during the next step. The pulley must be held firmly while loosening the fan clutch.
5. 5

   Loosen the fan clutch nut
   Using the 36mm fan clutch wrench, turn the fan clutch nut CLOCKWISE to loosen (reverse thread). Apply steady pressure while holding the water pump pulley secure. Break the initial torque, then continue rotating clockwise until the nut is loose but still threaded on several turns. Do not fully remove the nut yet.
   ⚠Remember: reverse threads mean clockwise to loosen. Forcing the wrong direction can damage the water pump shaft threads.
6. 6

   Remove fan clutch and blade assembly
   Support the fan blade assembly with one hand from underneath. While supporting the weight, thread the fan clutch nut completely off the water pump shaft by continuing to turn clockwise. Carefully lift the entire fan clutch and blade assembly straight up and out of the engine bay, maneuvering it past the shroud. Tilt slightly if needed to clear obstructions.
   ⚠The assembly is heavy and awkward. Maintain secure grip to prevent dropping onto radiator or other components.
7. 7

   Inspect water pump shaft and pulley
   With the fan clutch removed, inspect the water pump shaft threads for damage, debris, or coolant leakage. Check the water pump pulley for wobble or roughness by attempting to move it side-to-side and rotating it by hand. Any significant play or leakage indicates water pump bearing failure requiring additional service.
8. 8

   Transfer fan blades if necessary
   If installing a new fan clutch without blades, transfer the fan blade assembly from the old clutch to the new one. Remove the four bolts securing the fan to the clutch hub using a 10mm socket. Install blades on new clutch and torque mounting bolts in a criss-cross pattern.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts31 Nm (23 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Install new fan clutch assembly
   Clean the water pump shaft threads with a shop towel. Carefully lower the new fan clutch and blade assembly into position, aligning the clutch hub with the water pump shaft. Thread the fan clutch nut onto the shaft by turning COUNTERCLOCKWISE (reverse thread) until hand-tight. Ensure the assembly seats fully against the water pump pulley flange.
10. 10

    Torque fan clutch nut
    Secure the water pump pulley using the holding tool or strap wrench. Using the 36mm wrench, tighten the fan clutch nut by turning COUNTERCLOCKWISE to approximately 55 Nm (41 lb-ft). Apply firm, steady pressure. The connection should be tight but do not use excessive force that could damage the water pump shaft. Verify the fan blade assembly does not wobble or have excessive play.
11. 11

    Reinstall fan shroud
    Carefully lower the fan shroud back into position, ensuring it properly seats on the radiator support tabs and that the fan blades are centered within the shroud opening. Install the four fan shroud mounting bolts and tighten them securely with a 10mm socket. Verify the shroud does not contact the fan blades at any point of rotation.
12. 12

    Reconnect upper radiator hose
    Clean the radiator hose fitting with a shop towel. Push the upper radiator hose firmly onto the radiator neck until it seats completely. Slide the hose clamp back into position approximately 1/4 inch from the end of the fitting. Tighten the clamp securely, ensuring the hose cannot be pulled off with moderate hand pressure.
    Torque spec

    Hose Clamps3 Nm (2 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Refill and bleed cooling system
    Close the radiator drain plug and torque to specification. Refill the cooling system with Motorcraft Orange Coolant through the degas bottle until the level reaches the COLD MAX line. Start the engine and allow it to run until the thermostat opens and coolant begins circulating (approximately 5-10 minutes). Monitor temperature gauge. Top off coolant as needed and check for leaks around the fan clutch and hose connections.
    Torque spec

    Coolant Drain Plug15 Nm (11 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reinstall air intake tube to throttle body and tighten hose clamp securely
2. Reconnect mass airflow sensor electrical connector until it clicks
3. Reinstall engine cover by aligning rear tabs first, then pressing down firmly on front clips
4. Reconnect negative battery cable and tighten securely
5. Verify all tools and parts have been removed from engine bay

Verification

• Start engine and verify fan clutch engages smoothly without unusual noise, vibration, or wobble
• Allow engine to reach operating temperature and confirm fan clutch engages when engine is hot (fan should spin with resistance)
• Check for coolant leaks around upper radiator hose, drain plug, and water pump area
• With engine off and cool, verify fan blade has appropriate free-play (should spin with slight resistance when cold)
• Test drive vehicle and monitor temperature gauge stays in normal range under various load conditions

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

Codes that commonly send this job to the bay — tap one for symptoms, causes, and diagnostic steps.

Chasing one of these codes and not sure which part is guilty? Ask a master mechanic about YOUR car →

More procedures for this vehicle