30k, yay or nay? (Fan clutch fluid) (1 Viewer)

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Nov 18, 2019
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Location
Sandia Park, NM
I'm thinking of upgrading my blue hub fan clutch to 30k cst fluid, currently running 20k. Looking for real world experience. How many people in a hot dry climate (e.g. AZ) actually use 30k vs 20k? Does 30k rob engine of power, wear down the belts, etc.? Thanks
 
I'm thinking of upgrading my blue hub fan clutch to 30k cst fluid, currently running 20k. Looking for real world experience. How many people in a hot dry climate (e.g. AZ) actually use 30k vs 20k? Does 30k rob engine of power, wear down the belts, etc.? Thanks
So cal here, I went with 10k engine temp idling when warmed up on a hot day is 196° I only have a few months with it so far...

Was considering going thicker so I'm glad you posted, will wait for others to chime in..
 
YOLO

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Whats the PN on that solid fan set ? :) I'd install that in a heartbeat.

 
Whats the PN on that solid fan set ? :) I'd install that in a heartbeat.

No clue!
 
Whats the PN on that solid fan set ? :) I'd install that in a heartbeat.


Isn't that a mid-80s Chevy kind of thing?

Actually, I've been carrying a fan clutch eliminator in the boonie box of my '85 K5...
 
I ordered the 30k fluid, will report back on how it does.
 
30k is pretty common out here, it does well.

I’m running 60k in mine and it does well but there is some noticeable horsepower draw. Something I’m willing to deal with for better AC.
 
30k is pretty common out here, it does well.

I’m running 60k in mine and it does well but there is some noticeable horsepower draw. Something I’m willing to deal with for better AC.

WHOA, 60K!?!?!
Hadn't seen anyone mention that high before.
I just swapped out for 15K on my spare blue hub but haven't thrown it in yet as we're beginning to cool and I'm not driving anywhere due to the Rona.
 
WHOA, 60K!?!?!
Hadn't seen anyone mention that high before.
I just swapped out for 15K on my spare blue hub but haven't thrown it in yet as we're beginning to cool and I'm not driving anywhere due to the Rona.

The fan is a little loud but I find it blends into the ensemble of mud tires, wind, and aftermarket exhaust nicely so it doesn’t bother me.

60k started as an experiment, but I’m too lazy to change it at this point.
 
Your 80 is somewhat of a specialty vehicle...

We have at least 30k in the blue clutch on the S/C'd '93 (I thought it was a mix of 30k and 50k, but my fan clutch specialist insists she only used 30k), and it does fine in AZ. Haven't noticed power loss, but that may be due to the S/C, and with the M/T tires on that truck, I haven't noticed excess noise from the fan or the clutch. The fan and black clutch with ~15k fluid on the S/C'd '97 are noticeably loud, though. But perhaps it is more noticeable because the '97 is an LX, and it may disturb the refinement of the Lexus over the Toyota.
 
Can't imagine New Mexico being any hotter than Texas and certainly not as humid as Deep East Texas. 20K cst AND a properly serviced and working cooling SYSTEM works fine for me. I could see 30K in parts of Arizona or other climates that see summertime temps consistently in the 110°F + range, but sounds a little much for most folks other places.
 
I'll do anything to get my engine to run cooler. I am at around 20k and it isnt enough when it gets above 100 and she is not at high RPMs. Next time the FC comes out the timing will be advanced further (temp opening screw IIRC) and stickier RC oil will be going in. Limped it through the hot days this year again. She really did not like hauling gravel into the back yard this summer...

That Fixed Fan looks nice ^^^, i'll have to check it out.
 
Your 80 is somewhat of a specialty vehicle...

We have at least 30k in the blue clutch on the S/C'd '93 (I thought it was a mix of 30k and 50k, but my fan clutch specialist insists she only used 30k), and it does fine in AZ. Haven't noticed power loss, but that may be due to the S/C, and with the M/T tires on that truck, I haven't noticed excess noise from the fan or the clutch. The fan and black clutch with ~15k fluid on the S/C'd '97 are noticeably loud, though. But perhaps it is more noticeable because the '97 is an LX, and it may disturb the refinement of the Lexus over the Toyota.

That’s such a nice way of putting it.

I should clarify, the power loss is at the mid range where the 1FZ doesn’t produce optimal power. Unfortunately with 5.29s, I run out of gearing to pull hills in 2nd at 70 at 4,000rpm, so I have to settle for 50-55. A trade off I’ll deal with given the small amount of my driving that’s a mountain grade on the highway.

I theorize that the LX’s clutch is so loud due to the way the fan is spaced. Going to a solid spacer behind the clutch would probably cut some of that noise down.
 
I'll do anything to get my engine to run cooler. I am at around 20k and it isnt enough when it gets above 100 and she is not at high RPMs. Next time the FC comes out the timing will be advanced further (temp opening screw IIRC) and stickier RC oil will be going in. Limped it through the hot days this year again. She really did not like hauling gravel into the back yard this summer...

That Fixed Fan looks nice ^^^, i'll have to check it out.

Adjusting the temp does much less than you would think in my experience. Put an IR gun on the condenser when its running the AC and you’ll routinely see at least 150°. I also don’t agree with the 95° most set their clutches to, I find the 120° recommended by Kevin Patterson to be just fine.
 

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