- Thread starter
- #21
Ok, so the cooling system update happened this last weekend...
PHH wasn't completed...ran out of time.
The only casualty to the entire endeavor was, seemingly, the AC Compressor...the day leading up to cracking everything open I noticed the AC taking longer and longer to kick in, and then it would warm up. This became more prevalent after completing the cooling update until finally, while driving 30 miles home, the ac stopped. I'd hoped it was just low on refrigerant but hooking up a tester dial indicated the low side had more than enough coolant. Standing there looking under the hood with it running (and scratching my head like an idiot), after about five minutes (and with the AC ON), I noticed the compressor clutch NOT ONCE kicking on. So, I stood there for another almost ten minutes with it running and...nope. No clutch engagement on the AC. So, a call was made to my Land Cruiser shop and she's scheduled to go in.
Ended up taking pretty much the entire front off to get to the radiator...I know now this wasn't NEEDED, but, you learn things as you go, right. Plus it gave me a chance to clean a lot of periperals like the headlamps...also, those side lights are a PITA to remove when they haven't been popped out in almost 30 years! Cleaned the fan blade which was SUPER dirty, to include the fan shroud, as well as the lower skid plate.
Coolant was DARK green, as seen in the attached pic...a bit murky, really with some sediment but nothing major. This is the first full flush in 20K miles...no clue if the PO did anything.
New radiator went in like a charm...no problems at all. In fact, the only resistance I had was fighting with the belt tensioner off the alternator. Found the PO had used non-Toyotas belts...as in a wholly different set of belts for a different vehicle and stretched/made to fit, which I didn't think was possible...guess it shows you can if you're willing.
The "click" from the fan clutch going out went away once completed with the update and she's purring like a quiet and happy kitten now. Temps haven't gone above 191 (when the AC was working)...150 miles driven since completion and thus far, no issues.
All in all, I'd give it "Two Bananas", I guess, in difficulty. More time consuming than anything else....and I'm very happy with the outcome!
I cannot begin to explain how much this forum helped...in looking up torque specs, to others completing similar tasks, to everything else....the information y'all give is priceless. And so is the sh!ttalking
Next up...Cap, rotor, wires, and plugs
Replaced with new:
Aisin Water pump
Aisin Thermostat
Aisin Blue Fan Clutch
Wit's End Radiator Hose Set
Wit's End Heater Hose Set
Wit's End "Small Engine" hose set
OEM Heater Control Valve
Denso Radiator
Coolant flush (including block)
Coolant change (Prestone Universal 50/50)
Oil Change w/ Rotella 15-40
OEM Oil filter
OEM Air Filter
OEM Drive/AC Belts
OEM Tensioner/Pulley Set
OEM Hood Struts
And ONE Vitorrio's "Sausage, egg, cheese, bacon, and potato" burrito...
PHH wasn't completed...ran out of time.
The only casualty to the entire endeavor was, seemingly, the AC Compressor...the day leading up to cracking everything open I noticed the AC taking longer and longer to kick in, and then it would warm up. This became more prevalent after completing the cooling update until finally, while driving 30 miles home, the ac stopped. I'd hoped it was just low on refrigerant but hooking up a tester dial indicated the low side had more than enough coolant. Standing there looking under the hood with it running (and scratching my head like an idiot), after about five minutes (and with the AC ON), I noticed the compressor clutch NOT ONCE kicking on. So, I stood there for another almost ten minutes with it running and...nope. No clutch engagement on the AC. So, a call was made to my Land Cruiser shop and she's scheduled to go in.
Ended up taking pretty much the entire front off to get to the radiator...I know now this wasn't NEEDED, but, you learn things as you go, right. Plus it gave me a chance to clean a lot of periperals like the headlamps...also, those side lights are a PITA to remove when they haven't been popped out in almost 30 years! Cleaned the fan blade which was SUPER dirty, to include the fan shroud, as well as the lower skid plate.
Coolant was DARK green, as seen in the attached pic...a bit murky, really with some sediment but nothing major. This is the first full flush in 20K miles...no clue if the PO did anything.
New radiator went in like a charm...no problems at all. In fact, the only resistance I had was fighting with the belt tensioner off the alternator. Found the PO had used non-Toyotas belts...as in a wholly different set of belts for a different vehicle and stretched/made to fit, which I didn't think was possible...guess it shows you can if you're willing.
The "click" from the fan clutch going out went away once completed with the update and she's purring like a quiet and happy kitten now. Temps haven't gone above 191 (when the AC was working)...150 miles driven since completion and thus far, no issues.
All in all, I'd give it "Two Bananas", I guess, in difficulty. More time consuming than anything else....and I'm very happy with the outcome!
I cannot begin to explain how much this forum helped...in looking up torque specs, to others completing similar tasks, to everything else....the information y'all give is priceless. And so is the sh!ttalking
Next up...Cap, rotor, wires, and plugs
Replaced with new:
Aisin Water pump
Aisin Thermostat
Aisin Blue Fan Clutch
Wit's End Radiator Hose Set
Wit's End Heater Hose Set
Wit's End "Small Engine" hose set
OEM Heater Control Valve
Denso Radiator
Coolant flush (including block)
Coolant change (Prestone Universal 50/50)
Oil Change w/ Rotella 15-40
OEM Oil filter
OEM Air Filter
OEM Drive/AC Belts
OEM Tensioner/Pulley Set
OEM Hood Struts
And ONE Vitorrio's "Sausage, egg, cheese, bacon, and potato" burrito...
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