Fan Clutch Bad?

[landtank]

So pull it out and add more fluid or drain some fluid out?

I live in the Northeast. All winter long the clutches never open and the clutch is constantly sprayed with road salt. That condition can corrode the temp spring and prevent the operation of the clutch. Only solution is a new clutch.

Not sure what you should do

 

[LongDuck]

Any other thoughts on what I should check?

From a native Phoenician - as I mentioned before, check your airflow coming in the front, and consider replacing your Radiator if there's any hot or cold spots.

You're already running way too hot, and the summer heat is just getting started. A TYC-1918 may be in your future...

 

[ADVFJ80]

From a native Phoenician - as I mentioned before, check your airflow coming in the front, and consider replacing your Radiator if there's any hot or cold spots.

You're already running way too hot, and the summer heat is just getting started. A TYC-1918 may be in your future...

Sorry Longduck,
Not to discount your feedback. You helped me out with some emissions info a couple years back when we moved here.

Radiator, condenser and other coolers (oil and trans?), are all clean. The radiator is only a few years old, which I'll admit means nothing really. But if the fan clutch doesn't solve it, then yes a radiator is next one the list.

Thanks for the reply!

Randy

 

[mudgudgeon]

The radiator is only a few years old,

Is there foam padding between the radiator and rad support panel?

 

[LongDuck]

Definitely do the Fan Clutch before the Radiator, regardless. Go in order of lowest cost and complexity rather than fire the parts cannon,

 

[landcruisertx]

I could not hear my fan clutch on start up and my A/C was not even coolish when idling in the sun. Threw an ASIN clutch in this week and I can hear the fan on every startup and the A/C blows cool when idling. I went with AISIN FCT-004, off of amazon, no mods, under $100 bucks. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00829HAV8?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

 

[ADVFJ80]

Definitely do the Fan Clutch before the Radiator, regardless. Go in order of lowest cost and complexity rather than fire the parts cannon,

Fan clutch on order.

 

[ADVFJ80]

Is there foam padding between the radiator and rad support panel?

I'd have to check, but would you mind elaborating?

 

[duece71]

I live in the Northeast. All winter long the clutches never open and the clutch is constantly sprayed with road salt. That condition can corrode the temp spring and prevent the operation of the clutch. Only solution is a new clutch.

Not sure what you should do

Ohio, bought brand new orange clutch just last year.

 

[LongDuck]

Elaborating on the foam radiator seal - this is delivered with OEM radiators and is nothing more than foam tape stuck to the radiator such that when you install it, the foam butts up against the radiator surround, and compresses a bit to ensure that no hot air can get pulled from the backside of the radiator to the front in certain vehicle speed conditions.

The AZ contingent are firm believers in using this foam stripping along all 4 sides to seal the radiator to the support as it helps to force the frontal airflow through the radiator, prevents air from being spilled off the sides or bottom, and prevents recirculation of the hot air from the engine bay to the front side of the radiator at the top. Some may think that air coming in the front doesn't matter - but when it's 120F - every little bit helps to keep the engine running cooler.

While it can be added with difficulty after your radiator is installed, it's far easier to install the strips on the radiator first, then install it, as it creates the best seal around the edges. Again, Toyota radiators come with the strips pre-installed. Aftermarket radiators (TYC-1918, in my case) had to add it myself. Foam tape of the right size is available at Home Depot or Lowe's at nominal cost, just be sure you get enough to cover all of the front-facing surfaces where it meets the support.

 

[ADVFJ80]

Elaborating on the foam radiator seal - this is delivered with OEM radiators and is nothing more than foam tape stuck to the radiator such that when you install it, the foam butts up against the radiator surround, and compresses a bit to ensure that no hot air can get pulled from the backside of the radiator to the front in certain vehicle speed conditions.

The AZ contingent are firm believers in using this foam stripping along all 4 sides to seal the radiator to the support as it helps to force the frontal airflow through the radiator, prevents air from being spilled off the sides or bottom, and prevents recirculation of the hot air from the engine bay to the front side of the radiator at the top. Some may think that air coming in the front doesn't matter - but when it's 120F - every little bit helps to keep the engine running cooler.

While it can be added with difficulty after your radiator is installed, it's far easier to install the strips on the radiator first, then install it, as it creates the best seal around the edges. Again, Toyota radiators come with the strips pre-installed. Aftermarket radiators (TYC-1918, in my case) had to add it myself. Foam tape of the right size is available at Home Depot or Lowe's at nominal cost, just be sure you get enough to cover all of the front-facing surfaces where it meets the support.

Makes sense, thanks for the clarification Longduck! I'll take a look this weekend.

 

[Gomgwtfbbq]

Take a rolled up newspaper and put it against the fan slowly and see if it stops the fan.

Not OP but i think i'm having a similar issue.. How would a normal working fan clutch react?

 

[Marco Lau]

If your rig experience overheating while on the highway but not stop and go slow traffic, the problem is not your fan clutch. Probably a clogged radiator, thermostat. waterpump. etc. While the car is moving at highway speed, most of your cooling is done via air circulation.

 

[AussieHJCruza]

Not OP but i think i'm having a similar issue.. How would a normal working fan clutch react?

Mulch up the newspaper

 

[Rwhat]

If your rig experience overheating while on the highway but not stop and go slow traffic, the problem is not your fan clutch. Probably a clogged radiator, thermostat. waterpump. etc. While the car is moving at highway speed, most of your cooling is done via air circulation.

Also, check the AC condenser. Might be plugged up. I’m thinking about changing mine out.

 

[ADVFJ80]

Figured I'd drop a close out in the thread, hopefully it helps others.

Got a chance to drop the blue fan clutch from Landtank in today. Pretty straight forward, four nuts, and a gentle tap with a punch and it was free .

I did have to loosen the fan shroud and loosen my second battery tray to finagle the assembly out, but was pretty straight forward.

Once on the bench, the nuts and studs holding the fan to the clutch were pretty nasty, and I ended up unscrewing the studs. No biggie, as I was using new hardware anyway.

Old fan clutch was nasty.

Will probably never be this clean again!

Reverse the process, and you're done!

I did a test drive of a little less than 5 miles. Temps in Phoenix right now are around 96°. Temps rise to and maintained 182-185°, and the A/C blew colder than I feel like it has before. The engine fan seemed like it moved a TON more air, and I could actually hear it.

For those who pointed out the foam around the shroud, it's all there and in great shape.

I just need to take it on a longer drive when it gets warmer to see how things react. Hopefully,this problem is done and dusted.

Thanks to Landtank for the clutch and to everyone who posted. We'll see how it goes!

Randy