I thought I would give a heads up on the fan clutch failing on my '96 A4 2.8l. I was at a stop light and when I gave it gas my car started sounding funny. Decided to turn off onto side street when the steering went out. When I pulled over and opened the hood I could see that the hard plastic radiator fan had come completely off and all the fins broke off (that weird sound I heard). In the process of it being thrown off it took out the accessory belt (power steering failing). Looked under and could see some radiator fluid on the ground so the fan coming apart punched holes in my radiator. This car probably had the original fan clutch since '96 so I suggest you take a look at having yours replaced before you get the same failure. I've heard stories of that fan coming off so hard that it can put dents in the hood. I was quoted a price of $1250 for all the repairs. (radiator, radiator fan, fan clutch, harmonic balancer, hoses, fluid, and labor) I ended up towing her to a friend's shop. He sourced cheaper parts and got her on the road for $600 and put in my lower control arm in the process for free.

I only posted this just in case somebody else has the same failure and to give a heads up to have your fan clutch replaced before you suffer the same failure as me. Have a good one.

 

Yup! I've heard of these things blowing up and taking out the timing belt on the 1.8t engines also.


which is why i did this: