Clutchfan Headscratcher

[Trapper50cal]

Okay,

I've done some searching and I don't think I've found anything on point.

Problem:
Backstory...
Prior to a 3 hour road trip, Ingrid (my 60) always ran a bit hot (almost 2/3rds up the gauge) and the clutchfan almost never engaged

After the 3 hour roadtrip (loaded to the gills) The temp came down to always running at the half-way point of the gauge but the clutchfan engages all the time (not constantly but very frequently and consistantly)

When the clutchfan engages, the belt begins screeching at about 2300 RPMs and won't stop screeching unless I lay off the gas or upshift, thereby bringing the r's down.

It seems as though either the clutchfan or a combo of the clutchfan and some other belt driven item is creating too much resistence (i.e. smog pump, or the semi-ailing power steering pump)

Does this switch in clutchfan engagement intervals and associated operating temp sound like a clear symptom of anything to anyone?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

MACE, what say you...guru

[High Desert]

The running hot before the trip symptoms sounds like a radiator that needs rodded or replaced. The running cooler on the trip sounds like the thermostat might be sticking partially open, also a symptom of a system that needs flushed and a thermostat that need replaced.

The squealing could be any of the problems you noted. I'd start by making sure the belt was 1. not worn and brittle/cracked. 2. Is it tensioned enough? 3. listen to the stuff hooked up to it to hear if bearings are going/gone bad in anything (A long screwdriver against the component and up against your ear will let you hear some of what is going on in there) (need I remind you not to get your necktie hung up in the system?).

Not much help..but maybe someone will pitch in and correct me and help you.

HD

[Trapper50cal]

HD,

Thanks for responding. Thermostat is new, Rad was replaced by PO (Ige) either the PS pump or the smog pump is making a strange noise and te PS pump is defintely not working properly (varying degrees of assistance throughout different temps and times)

I was thinking of gutting the smog(air?) pump to see if that would lessen the resistance. Also going to replace the belt (seems okay but...?) and burp the system.

It just feels like something is about to seize, just a gut feeling from the clutchfan engaging so frequently but at least the temp is good right now.

[Mace]

go pull the belts and try to spin each pulley. I am positive that the offending pulley will manifest itself..

[weak-link]

the resistance in the fan being engaged is causing an old glazed over belt to slip.

also you can take the clutch apart and add more silicone to it. you can get the silicone from toyota. Mine took 4 tubes at $10 a tube to refill

[Trapper50cal]

Originally Posted by Mace

go pull the belts and try to spin each pulley. I am positive that the offending pulley will manifest itself..

Ahh, yes... should have thought of that.....

[Trapper50cal]

Originally Posted by weak-link

the resistance in the fan being engaged is causing an old glazed over belt to slip.

also you can take the clutch apart and add more silicone to it. you can get the silicone from toyota. Mine took 4 tubes at $10 a tube to refill

I've read that that is a tricky proposition (IIRC) should I just replace it and the belt to be sure?

[Mace]

If you are getting enough resistance in the fan clutch to make the belt slip, you most likely do not need to repack it.

IT is not a horrid job to replace the silicone fluid that is in the clutch (impact screwdrivers are good tho)