fan clutch

[Webster]

I've read through many of the posts on checking your fan clutch but would appreciate some feedback on what I have found. I'm sorry for beating this horse to death.

Truck is running hot (boiling) and trying to figure out why. Had to add a gallon of water after 200-300 miles. Mostly on hills and idling. Been around 85-90 in my driving neighborhood. Ruled out HG.

In checking my fan clutch;

I have the original silver based clutch in my '96 FZJ80

Warm;

Not able to stop fan with stumpy finger method
Hold fan stopped and then start engine. I am able to hold fan even as water begins to boil. I can feel it occasionaly jerking at my grip.
When engine off and give the fan a spin it only spins freely for about 3/4 turn

Cold;

I can't perceive a noticable "whoosh" or "roar" when starting cold.


I recall on my FJ60 that I could really tell when the fan was working. Big roar at start and while driving it would sound like a jet engine winding up when it was either kicking in or kicking out.

From what I know (whick isn't much) I would guess my fan clutch is fine.

What would you all think?

What else is a likely suspect?

 

[JZenger]

If your fan clutch is working properly you should hear a very noticable roar at cold start up that lasts a few seconds. If you are not hearing anything then I would definitely suspect a bad or failing fan clutch. The fan clutch is known to fail and I think you can't go wrong replacing it if in doubt. Get the new blue based version from CruiserDan for the smart shopper price.

 

[Rookie2]

T-stat?

 

[WES1977]

T-stat?

you could pull it out to test it

 

[LandCrusher'70]

Yes, there have been many threads about fan clutches. I'm going to replace mine soon. I don't think the blue hub is a good one. IIRC the Hayden/Imperial one is the one to go with. There is a fairly recent thread that shows comparisons. I'd have to search for it...

 

[cary]

Can you give us a little more information. Have you done a temp gauge mod so you know how hot the truck is running, or are you only seeing it when the truck actually overheats? Is the truck running hot on the freeway at 70-80mph?

Prelinimarly, I would say your fan clutch is absolutely bad. Classic symptoms of seeing high operating temps at low speeds and idle. Your radiator may also be partially plugged, this will tend to show up under loads, even at higher RPM's and highway speeds. You may also have a thermostat that is not fully functioning.

For my money, based on the information you have provided, I would start with a fan clutch, thermostat ($20 with seal), and a full system flush. See how that works but understand you may end up having to go back and replace the radiator.

 

[Webster]

No temp gage mod yet, definately planned as I find time.

70-80 was about the speed. Trying to maintain those speeds on hill got it hot. Slowing down on the hill didn't seem to help a whole lot.

The temp gage is deceiving as the coolant was boiling yet the gage indicated normal operating temp. I would think the boiling would correlate with the red zone.

I'm lazy can some one ping in with Cruiser Dan's contact information.

Thanks,

 

[Webster]

Whoops, forgot to submit this earlier before my last reply.

Can anyone confirm the Hayden clutch they are using? Is it their p/n 2661?

Something I forgot to mention;

I am the guy who had the radiator spewing the orange alien foam out of my radiator last month. After a flush I still have some of that in the system and am planning additional flushing. Not convinced that this foam hasn't plugged the radia

 

[JZenger]

I purchased a Hayden fan clutch last summer at Pep Boys for around $70 if I remember correctly. I don't know the part number. I had actually planned on replacing the Hayden fan clutch with a Toyota one with the blue base, but it still seems to be functioning just fine and as pointed out in this thread there is some debate about the Toyota fan clutch. If you are going to be doing a flush, I would definitely replace the T-stat, radiator cap, and fan clutch. At least that would eliminate those items as problems and likely improve things.

 

[cary]

No temp gage mod yet, definately planned as I find time.

70-80 was about the speed. Trying to maintain those speeds on hill got it hot. Slowing down on the hill didn't seem to help a whole lot.

The temp gage is deceiving as the coolant was boiling yet the gage indicated normal operating temp. I would think the boiling would correlate with the red zone.

I'm lazy can some one ping in with Cruiser Dan's contact information.

Thanks,

What do you mean by the coolant was boiling? Where do you see it boiling? Even at 250f with a properly functioning cap, you shouldn't have coolant boiling. You need to move your temp gauge up to the top of your list to help diagnose the problem. Add a radiator cap to your purchases.

 

[Webster]

I have a new cap.

"Boiling" I guess what I mean is that it was being forced out of the radiator (boiling over) into the overflow. I have done the HG bubble test but this was just coolant expanding out into the overflow as idling for 10 minutes while I held the fan from spinning.

 

[L8Shift]

Can anyone confirm the Hayden clutch they are using? Is it their p/n 2661?

Yeah, that is what the threads say, and what I installed this past weekend.... 2661
bar code 36752 02661 6
Hecho en EU (USA)

Roaaarrrrr!
OBDII Scan tool reported temps remained below 196 degrees; outside temp was ~87 degrees

 

[tech_dog]

I've got a 94 with 125K, and I get a nice loud roar at start up.

 

[landtank]

Sounds like your fan clutch is toast. Unfortunately the only slam dunk for a gaurenteed fix is most likely a Hayden. I ordered bioth the imperial and the Hayden only to find out the Hayden was more money and exactly the same clutch.

I'm currently running an adjusted Blue and it has been working flawlessly. While I have e-mail the adjustment instructions out to several people I don't think any have tried to duplicate it as of yet.

 

[Webster]

Trying to buy a Hayden and can't get one for a week, very frustrating.

What retailers have you found the Hayden at?

 

[Webster]

I plan to do a good flush and replace the thermostat as well.

I assume you all would not use anything but OEM thermostat? Or any suggestions there?

 

[landtank]

I ordered mine on the web, I beleive pepboys stock them in the store.

 

[landtank]

I assume you all would not use anything but OEM thermostat? Or any suggestions there?

I've confirmed that Stant will cause the truck to run hot, stick with OEM on this one.

 

[LandCrusher'70]

Trying to buy a Hayden and can't get one for a week, very frustrating.

What retailers have you found the Hayden at?

I think LandTank was saying the Imperial is the same clutch as the Hayden, for less $$$.

 

[LandCrusher'70]

I'm currently running an adjusted Blue and it has been working flawlessly. While I have e-mail the adjustment instructions out to several people I don't think any have tried to duplicate it as of yet.

I'm assuming, if you don't already have a blue hub, getting the Hayden/Imperial clutch is the way to go?