Clutch Fan or Flex Fan (6 Viewers)

[Gold Boy]

I have a 13BT in my1986 BJ70 with a clutch fan: the clutch fan does not engage until the the engine is quite hot (10 degrees before the red line) then the engine cools down to normal operating temperture, which seems to be to hot. It would be better to have a more even engine temperture.

Does any one think a flex fan is agood idea for my set up; as I live in a hot area of BC upto 40C in the summer?

Or should I get the clutch fan rebuilt?

Thanks for any replies

 

[Stone]

Wonder what the cost differential would be between the two styles? I know that the OEM clutch fan in my 13BT works quite well. In fact, I rarely even see my temp gauge hit the middle mark even while going up the steep Coquihalla Highway in a hot summer day.

 

[Greg_B]

http://www.off-road.com/~estegall/tech/fanclutch/fanclutch.html

hth's

gb

 

[Gold Boy]

Thanks for the replies...

My engine is just fine on the highway road with the temp gauge in the middle mark even with a winter thermostat .

The stuation is I am moving at a speed of 30kms 1800 RPM in hot 37C conditions which I think is quite extreme. All the cooling system is working fine water pump, thermostat etc etc.

I think my only concern with a flex fan is power loss. I wounder what they do in OZ?

Thanks Folks for your Help

 

[Gold Boy]

Did your clutch fan engage on the Coquihalla?

www.thegoldhouse.com

 

[wesintl]

http://www.off-road.com/~estegall/tech/fanclutch/fanclutch.html

hth's

gb

I would probably buy a new oem clutch from toyota. I rebuilt mine and the 3b's clutch is smaller than a 60 so I filled it to where it looked full not using the measuring. I did use the same viscosity as eric but there are diffferent viscositys of oil. I think my 40 manual recommended different oil than the 60. Anyone know for sure?

I forgot to say put some aftermarket gauges on there to see really what temps you are at. The factory gauges are not to be trusted.

 

[Gold Boy]

Thanks ...

I will look into a new clutch fan. Umm 1 question can you here your clutch fan when its engauged?

 

[Gold Boy]

My opinion is 13bt is a great diesel engine. However the cooling system is good but not great. A flex fan is the way to go for desert conditions but not the way to go fo submarine conditions. Remember that I take my TLC 13BT on very very steep long dusty logging roads (for fly fishing) when the temperture is 37C+. But i must admit the TLC has not over heated just got quite hot i.e. not in the red. On the high way the gauge stays in the middle when its hot out here.

What temperture thermostat do you folks use in the summer?
And will anyone be fishing the Stamp River this fall?

 

[fjbj40]

buy the fluid from Toyota and rebuild yourself...I did it two weeks ago and the differance is amazing...$21.00 cdn for the fluid and a couple hours work...easy.
Daryl

 

[Gold Boy]

Thanks Dary
l
It is quite possible that my clutch fan could do with a rebuild. I am looking into it. Fan is working good when it gets hot, to lock its self on the shaft. If I rebuild then I would hope that it would lock at a cooler temperture.

Thanks
Gold Boy

 

[Jan-78FJ40]

I would not mess with the cooling system, and get a new clutch fan.
another option is to weld up the current fan, so it is always engaged. Michael at westcoastcruisers.org does that, and can certainly help you. information on his website...
Jan

 

[roscoFJ73]

I wounder what they do in OZ?

Thanks Folks for your Help

Flush the radiator and block and fit a new radiator cap.
A bad clutch fan usually overheats at low/crawler speeds.

The clutch fan doesnt sense heat,it cuts in when the air speed is too slow through the radiator.
I can hear the clutch fan on mine locking on/off,it sounds like a slow changing auto trans slipping into gear.

 

[Gold Boy]

How hot is your diesel for the clutch fan to engauge?

 

[roscoFJ73]

How hot is your diesel for the clutch fan to engauge?

I got a gasser but the clutch fan works the same.
My clutch fan comes on at low speeds regardless of whether its hot or cool.

It cuts out around 40klm/h I think ,then the cooling system relies on the airflow generated by the vehicle speed.

Basically when your clutch fan is faulty it wont draw enough air through the radiator in stop/start traffic.
So a new or rebuilt clutch fan will not keep it cool at highway speeds.

I had both tanks on my radiator removed and the cores rodded.
The shop said something like 20% were totally blocked. This inhibits the coolant flow at high speed when you need it the most.
The radiator caps are cheap and a pressurized system works better

 

[Gold Boy]

Same here my clutch fan comes on low speed as well and when I start up as well, and also my clutch fan keeps my "gasser" cool in stop-start trafic. And high speed is not a problem. Just gets a little hotter on summer off roading.

So I think my clutch works "normaly".

 

[roscoFJ73]

Same here my clutch fan comes on low speed as well and when I start up as well, and also my clutch fan keeps my "gasser" cool in stop-start trafic. And high speed is not a problem. Just gets a little hotter on summer off roading.

So I think my clutch works "normaly".

As mentioned elsewhere you need to find out the exact temperature to be sure.

 

[Gold Boy]

How true....
I will be working on that. Thanks for the advise.

 

[Gold Boy]

Thanks All ... For The Info

 

[Gold Boy]

Hello all

Just an idear for you fabricator inventors out there.....

Why not have a clutch fan that you lock and unlock so you have the best of both worlds flex fan and clutch fan.

What do you think???

GB

 

[Jim_Hbar]

Gold Boy:

You asked - what do you think!

The so called stock "clutch" fan is the best solution, if it is working correctly. Adding a locking feature would complicate the design, and increase reliability issues for a feature that most would never use. The best designs are ones developed with the KISS principle, and that’s why we like TLC’s.

Jim