Fan Clutch in 89 FJ-62

[southerncruiser62]

Think i have seen something on this before but was wondering....At startup and up until about 60 mph i have a farily loud sound from the engine, dies off at about 65. and usually on hot days, when it is cool (50-below out) it doesn't seem to make it. Also when traveling on the highway it seems to come around when speed drops below 65 or so, pretty sure i have heard a few say that when the fan clutch is starting to go it does this (sounds like a damn plane taking off). Just wondered if others had any problems wiht this and a solution.

Thanks in advance

Greg

 

[yooper]

Yep. Eventually it just locks up and stays on all the time. PITA job to replace it, too. Good time for a water pump, all belts, thermostat, and complete radiator flush. It's such a PITA that you don't want to be in there again. One thing that can make it easier in the future is to cut your fan shroud into two pieces, top and bottom, and then fab some kind of bracket to bolt it back together. That way you can just take the top half of the fan shroud off for MUCH better access.

good luck,

 

[lovetoski]

I've been into the cooling system a couple of times. Once just to replace the fan clutch, a second time to replace the waterpump, and a third time to replace some worn hoses that I didn't replace when I replaced the waterpump!

I strongly suggest replacing all the part previously mentioned. Get all the gaskets too before hand.

As also mentioned, the fan shroud is a pain. It comes out in tandem with the fan clutch. The easiest way to remove the nuts for the fan clutch is with the fan belt removed. This way you can rotate the fan to get to the nuts easier. If you have a magnetic wand, you'll need it as I have always dropped a nut or two. Once the fan clutch nuts are off, remove the bolts for the fan shroud, and take the two out together.

It's all straightforward from there on out.

Oh, I'd use Mr T parts. My cruiser had an aftermarket fan clutch on it for about 18 months, and it failed on the "always on" mode. When I pulled it back out, and compared it to the genuine article, the difference is amazing. The original is way beefier, and easily 1.5 times heavier.

Hope this helps.

Best Regards,

 

[yooper]

Yeah, I forgot to mention, use official Toyota parts. MANY people have installed aftermarket waterpumps and fan clutches on FJ62's and had to replace them shortly thereafter.

 

[1987fj60]

Greg,

What you have discribed is a properly functioning fan clutch although it should cut off sooner at high speeds due to air flow. I have the same condition and have been troubleshoot it for some time. I'm about to replace all the missing foam gasking around the fan shroud and flush and chean the outside (for bugs) and inside of the radiator (for possible corrosion). My problem goes away if I turn off the AC. The reason for that is the heat problem is borderline and turning on the AC and generating more heat fron the AC condenser is pushing the temp high enough to keep the fan clutch on. Normally fan clutches fail unlocked and can cause over heating at idle and cause the head pressure to rise in the AC system and burst seals $$$$$$$.

Jeff

 

[jeffroid]

Rebuild

I saw somewhere an article on rebuilding the fan clutch. I thought it was the tech section, but I don't see it. Maybe it was in the chassis or engine manual.

Anyway, it looked like basically all you did was take it apart and replace the silicone fluid. The fluid itself is pretty expensive from the dealer. While it's knowhere near as expensive as a new fan clutch, it's expensive enough that I don't want to go out and waste that much time and money trying to rebuild it if it's not going to work.

Does anyone know if this actually works? If so where can I get the fluid more economically?

THANKS ! ! !

 

[Landpimp]

if its bad, don't waste your time putting in new fluid, just get a new OEM fan clutch and be done with it. Also I would order 4 of the nuts that hold it on........they get lost or rounded off...........if lost you will find them latter.............trust me

but to me it sounds like its working fine.

when it locks up you will KNOW

 

[Ming89FJ62]

When I replaced mine several years ago I found that ordering the clutch/water pump assembly was just slightly more than the clutch alone. Figured that if I was in there any way why not kill two birds with one stone. FWIW

Ming