on my s5 there was a sort of 'tab' on the front of it. I was told to bend this tab out a little bit and it would aid in the fan engaging its clutch corretly (thus allwoing it to cool...)

on my new s4 fan, the front doent have a 'tab' its more of a coil. can I do anything to this one (similar to bending out the tab ont he s5 fan) to make it engage correctly? It is not engaging, and bc of that im overheating.

 

The S4 does not have the thermo switch like the S5. The S4 unit is a sealed variable Viscouse unit that engages based on temp.

You are probably overheating from the lame non Mazda thermostat that you have, more than any fan.

Remember a fan only helps when driving under 40-45MPH. If it is overheating on drives above 40 MPH then you have other cooling issues.

 

its overheating under like 30 mph. the tstat I have in there is the same temp as the oem one, 180 degs, lke we already found out.

either way, this fan worked in my other car, but is not engaging in this new one.

im STRONGLY leaning toward going e-fan!!!

 

As long as it cools down if you go faster than that, then it's almost definitely the fan.

There's nothing wrong with going e-fan to replace a worn-out clutch fan, as long as you do it right! Get a big fan, wire it properly, use a thermoswitch, and seriously consider upgrading your charging system.

 

Why don't you get this???

Aftermarket T'stats don't work or flow the same way as the OEM one.

You will have overheating problems using them. Since you have overheating problems and you have a a known problem caused by using aftermarket Tstats... I mean this is pretty simple.

Get the correct thermostat, then if you still want to waste money on a E fan you can.

 

All the 2nd gen RX-7 fan clutches (including aftermarket) I've seen have a flat bi-metal strip heat sensor on the front face.

The one you describe, with a coil bi-metal, sounds like an unusual aftermarket replacement.

A new fan clutch is best.
If budget is an issue, a good thermostat controlled e-fan will cool your NA.

While you at it, maybe pull the bottom front duct & check the front & back of the oil cooler for any blockage