[Archived]

Usually a few weeks after I buy something that wasn’t on sale, but then goes on sale.

[Dan]

From all I have followed on this and other sites, the fan clutches seem like an expensive disposable part. Seems like I read about a lot going out even at low milage.

Any way to get replacement clutches more cost effectively?

My understanding is that Kitmasters is prevented to selling to the public due to their contract with Prevost. Hmmmm.

Mike

[Tim]

Fan clutches have been a weak point in our cooling systems. I am a multi clutch customer and I am presuming others are as well. That does not make me happy given the cost and increasingly difficult job of replacing it.

Why does Prevost use clutches that fail so often? The electric fan upgrade kit was likely a means of improving MPG, but there has to be a small element of justifying the fans due to the service history of fan clutches.

We can lock the clutches, or we can go to the trouble of installing a clutchless radiator fan. But while that will eliminate the cost and inconvenience of replacing fan clutches, it will cost a lot of money in lost fuel efficiency.

Trucks seem to have a huge difference in the reliability of fan clutches. That now seems due to the fact that with the radiator out front and having wind blowing through the radiator clutch cycles are far less than what we experience.

I have a sense my fan clutch is cycling on and off at least every 5 minutes on a relatively warm day. It cycles a lot between low and high speed when climbing steep hills. So going down the highway our fan clutches engage a lot because the radiator is on the side of the coach and needs the fan engaged to draw air through the radiator. If it was out front like in a truck driving speed would be all it takes to push air through the radiator so the clutch only engages on relatively rare occasions.

What we need is a clutch designed to cycle millions of times, something not likely to happen because the bus manufacturers use so few clutches relative to what the truck manufacturers use there is no incentive for clutch manufacturers to do the development work.

[Archived]

MaybeTom is on to something!!! He might have got tired of replacing fan clutches!!

In the meantime, any suggestions for supplier for the clutches other than Prevo$t?

My understanding is that the electric fan set up isn’t available at any cost for anything older than 2010.

Mike

[Bob]

Mike, I cannot answer your question about alternate suppliers.

The fan clutches on my 97 and 06 failed, and I purchased replacements from Prevost at what I consider a great expense. If I were to shop for a replacement I would attempt to find out the manufacturer and the model number and then speak to the manufacturer to find if it can be bought through their distribution chain or if it proprietary with Prevost. I seriously doubt the fan clutches used are exclusive to Prevost.

But there is more than getting just any clutch. It has to mate up with the holes or bolts used for mounting. It has to have the proper pulley for the type of belt used to drive it. It has to be robust enough to handle the load. It is definitely going to have to be capable of responding to DDEC and accept the DDEC electrical signals.

I have no idea how you would evaluate a fan clutch not sold by Prevost as being acceptable for the application.

[Archived]

I am trying a Horton. Jury still out. single speed on at 200 out at 180. Can watch temp drop quickly when it works. Note: it is a hobby for me and I always have a plan B. In this case lock it up. Food for thought for those of us that don’t listen to YOU CAN’T DO THAT.. BOB

[Roscoeapproved]

The fan clutch that I just had replaced cost was $1521.65 for the part and considering the complexity of it, I don’t really consider it to be out of line. It was the original clutch, I’m sure, and it had just under 200,000 miles on it. I don’t know if that would make it a short life part or not but if this one is god for another 200,000, I’m pretty sure it will outlast me.

The new clutch obviously has been redesigned and improved. For one thing, it has a very simple means of locking it up in case of a problem. A feature that the original did not have and it makes me much more comfortable to have that easy roadside option available. It also appears to have better cooling features incorporated.

I have no idea of how much locking it up would cost in fuel economy, but it obviously requires some horsepower to pull it and if you’re going to work the horses you have to feed them. The answer to that question would be interesting to know.

The total bill for the job was $3137.84 and I had the antifreeze on board as I was prepared to do the job myself if necessary. Considering all that was involved, I considered it a bargain. I’m tickled to death since I didn’t even have to get my hands dirty.

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Jeff and Lindsay

91 Marathon XL