|| Car is a 92 300e. Recent new radiator & water pump. Yesterday || engine temperature was around usual 80 degrees when on the freeway, || but went up to around 100 when stationary in city traffic. The A/C || was not on. This is making me think that the fan clutch is no || longer functioning, so the mechanical fan isn't spinning when the || engine is idling. I'd like to test this before shelling out $200 || for a new fan clutch, any ideas how I can do this? || || Thanks, Chris
Use a carrot! if the engine is very hot put a carrot to stop the blades when the engine is running, if the carrot stops the blades the clutch not activating, if the carrot slices (for the soup!) then the clutch is OK. Better than using your fingers!!! A lot of overheating problems IME are caused by inefficient radiators, maybe not leaking but they do lose their efficiency over a number of years so a replacement radiator can cure a lot of overheating problems.
Des