AC Blues / Blue Fan Clutch Replacement

[johnbelcher]

I noticed that my AC temp is not as cool at idle or redlights as it while driving. For that matter it is not near as cold as my 4Runner. My thermometer indicated about a 12-15 degree difference. This is not a good thing during the summer in TX.

I had the high and low side checked and pressure is within spec. He also showed my the needle gauge on the high side was rapidly bouncing and said my compressor was getting a little week. Said it could last another 3 months or 3 years. I/m keeoing an eye on it.

Next I inspected the fan clutch. It has 160k on it and looked like it was leaking since there was an oily residue on the white platstic fan and it showed sign of rust.




The replacement was a new OEM in the box blue fan clutch from Cruiser parts. I also cleaned up the fan blades.



So I take it for a test spin this evening. Outside temperature was still in the high 80's.

Results:

At idle temp would only get down to about 62.
At 40mph temp would drop to about 50.
Once parked in the driveway temp increased back to 62

After the vehicle was completely warmed up I expected the fan clutch would engage and would be difficult spin. If I give it a hard spin it will travle an inch or so before it stops. Does not seem much different from when it is cool. Shouldn't it be more difficult to spin at high temperature? What should I expect?

Could the new OEM fan clutch defective or do I have other issues?

[Beowulf]

Originally Posted by johnbelcher

Could the new OEM fan clutch defective or do I have other issues?

There have been a couple of reports of new OEM "blue hub" clutches being a problem (not necessarily defective.) Read the posts by Tools-R-Us, Landtank, and Raventai on the "blue hub" fan clutches. Lots to read. You are specifically looking for the tuning information.

It is not clear to me if you have cooling system concerns or A/C concerns or both. Assuming it is both then, you still have too many variables to know if you have other issues. Start with whatever the A/C guy told you when he was diagnosing your system.

Then get your cooling system 100% and be sure that part of that is to thoroughly clean the condenser and radiator fins. Rad cap, coolant, thermostat, hoses, belts, water pump, internal radiator tubes, fan clutch, and everything in the system should be working 100%.

-B-

[Tools R Us]

Are you sure it's a factory type clutch, I have seen a couple of aftermarkets that look close on the outside, but nowhere near on the inside. If it's a factory blue hub, change the fluid to thicker stuff.

[gisham]

mine was doing the same thing- installed a new blue fan clutch (factory fluid) and then stuck a derale 12" tornado on the front of the condenser. wired it up to run when the a/c is on and when temps get above 180- i sat in traffic yesterday for over an hour here in Orlando (90+) and air blew cool...

[gotmud]

Originally Posted by Tools R Us

Are you sure it's a factory type clutch, I have seen a couple of aftermarkets that look close on the outside, but nowhere near on the inside. If it's a factory blue hub, change the fluid to thicker stuff.

Im in the EV, do you know of any places to get 10K CST or higher out this way?

[johnbelcher]

Did you replace the fan altogether or is it in addition to the engine fan?
How difficult was the install? What all did you have to remove to get to the front of the condenser?

[Tools R Us]

Originally Posted by gotmud

Im in the EV, do you know of any places to get 10K CST or higher out this way?

I haven't bought it locally, but others have, call R/C car type hobby shops your looking for diff fluid. The 30K that I have is in a clear 30 ml tube, Team Losi brand and the 10K is in a bottle like the second post in this tread;

http://forum.ih8mud.com/79-95-toyota...ml#post2369392

[Tools R Us]

If you want to blend to get a viscosity that isn't available, this calculator is handy;

Global GE Silicones

[johnbelcher]

Just picked up some TRAXXAS silicone dif lube at the local hobby shop. Came with (3) 1.75 ounce bottles. 10k 30k and 50k

Will pull the fan clutch tomorrow morning when the temp outside is a bit cooler. Since the fan clutch is a brand new OEM part I plan to add about 20ml of the 30k to the existing per the post from "Tools R Us".