There seems to be a substantial amount of misinformation in this thread, have been meaning to throw a post in for a while now.
Firstly, there is a good reason to use the engine driven fan with clutch . . . they are very very powerful and they work extremely well. The engine driven fan is capable using as much power as required, there is no way you can get the same kind of air moving power from electric fans because there is just no way to mount big enough motors.
The main thing is to ensure that the clutch is working properly, this can be done with the newspaper test. If the clutch works correctly, then the fan isn't 'stealing' any power unless the engine is hot enough to require it.
An electric fan doesn't magically stop loading the engine, all it does is load the engine through the alternator instead of directly, but as previously stated, they are just not at the same power level.
Electric fans have primarily become popular because of E-W mounted engines not being able to use a direct drive fan.
Wikipedia has some good information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fan_clutch
Firstly, there is a good reason to use the engine driven fan with clutch . . . they are very very powerful and they work extremely well. The engine driven fan is capable using as much power as required, there is no way you can get the same kind of air moving power from electric fans because there is just no way to mount big enough motors.
The main thing is to ensure that the clutch is working properly, this can be done with the newspaper test. If the clutch works correctly, then the fan isn't 'stealing' any power unless the engine is hot enough to require it.
An electric fan doesn't magically stop loading the engine, all it does is load the engine through the alternator instead of directly, but as previously stated, they are just not at the same power level.
Electric fans have primarily become popular because of E-W mounted engines not being able to use a direct drive fan.
Wikipedia has some good information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fan_clutch
