New fan clutch, replace fluid necessary?

[cstamm81]

So I'm about to replace my fan clutch, belts, and bottom idler pulley. I have one of the new blue fan clutches from CDan. Is it really necessary for me to open up the new clutch and drain some old fluid and put in new thicker oil? I am just hesitant to crack open a brand new fan clutch, when apparently the old one lasted 100K. What do you all think? Also, I forgot to get the upper idler pulley, but the old one seems to spin fine (no bearings going by feel) but it does have a little bit of play in it, which I'm guessing is how it's designed. Or am I better off just replacing it?

 

[Tools R Us]

Nope, if you were happy with the performance of the old clutch before it died, the new one will preform better. The fluid change is for increased cooling performance at slow speed, towing, crawling, etc in hot climates

 

[RABID1]

Fan clutch gone?

How did you know the clutch/fan needed to be replaced.? I have just my hands on a 97 with 103k on it. I hear something whining (not the wife) in there, maybe a pully or the alternator?

 

[lx450landcruiser]

i just replaced mine with a blue one. i was told that after the truck has warmed up to shut it off and try and spin the fan. The fan should move but not easily, say maybe 3 or 4 bldes worth. there are many different ways to do it. i knew becasue my clutch was completly frozen and the bearings had seized.

new fan clutch = quiet truck

 

[Cruiserdrew]

I have the same issue-just got a new blue clutch from Cruiserdan, and 4 bottles of the magic 6000 elixir.

So what is ideal? Drain the (new) old oil and install 2 bottles? Would 3 be better? Either way, I'm going to do it, since taking apart the fan clutch is a 5 minute job.

I am running an original clutch now, that was rehabbed with 1 bottle of 3000 and 1 bottle of 6000, and it seems to provide plenty of cooling.

 

[landtank]

I've cracked open 6 brand new clutches now and can tell you that as far as at what temp the clutch will engage, each one was different, Sometimes by quite a bit. I'm sure that 2 of those clutches would have resulted in a very warm running truck.

I realize that I like my engines to run down near the set point of the thermostat and some feel this is to cold. So take that into account.

As far as how much oil, just two tubes. More oil could cause the clucth to engage all the time.

 

[Tools R Us]

I've cracked open 6 brand new clutches now and can tell you that as far as at what temp the clutch will engage, each one was different, Sometimes by quite a bit. I'm sure that 2 of those clutches would have resulted in a very warm running truck.

I realize that I like my engines to run down near the set point of the thermostat and some feel this is to cold. So take that into account.

As far as how much oil, just two tubes. More oil could cause the clucth to engage all the time.

Two will work fine, but the reservoir has enough capacity for 3 tubes and still function correctly. My normal fill is 50 ml, prefer having the added fluid, the fluid may last longer and in a failure mode, more could leak more before totally failing?

Edit, this is from a clean clutch, depending on how much you able to drain out, you may want to very your fill. With new clutches I prefer to just added 15 ml of 30K to the factory fill, making ~7000.

 

[Gray Rider]

I have new blue clutch ready to install. Is there a consensus on:
1) adding fluid?
2) draining and refilling with new fluid?
3) or going with the new clutch as is?

Semi - confused here - (happy normal).
Thanks!

 

[BullElk]

The bottle of 10k fluid I just bought is 2 oz. which should be about 59 ml if I am not mistaken. How many ml in the "tubes" of which you guys speak?

 

[Gray Rider]

The bottle of 10k fluid I just bought is 2 oz. which should be about 59 ml if I am not mistaken. How many ml in the "tubes" of which you guys speak?

Hey Bull,
What did you buy exactly and where?
Thx

 

[M32H32is]

Do all LC use the clutch fluid, more specifically the 3fe???

 

[BullElk]

Mikray55,
"ASC5455 Silicone Diff Fluid 10000cst ASSOCIATED RC DIFF FLUID" 2oz. (59cc) on Ebay

 

[Cruiserdrew]

I think it's worth opening it up and draining all of the fluid. Then replace it with 10k-20k fluid.

I'm experimenting right now with 20K fluid from the hobby store and I do think it cools better at the hot extreme. I have not noticed any problems with fuel economy.

They all use the same fluid. The 10K silicone oil was the standard until the FZJ-80. That should be everyone's default fluid.

 

[Gray Rider]

Mikray55,
"ASC5455 Silicone Diff Fluid 10000cst ASSOCIATED RC DIFF FLUID" 2oz. (59cc) on Ebay

I think it's worth opening it up and draining all of the fluid. Then replace it with 10k-20k fluid.

I'm experimenting right now with 20K fluid from the hobby store and I do think it cools better at the hot extreme. I have not noticed any problems with fuel economy.

They all use the same fluid. The 10K silicone oil was the standard until the FZJ-80. That should be everyone's default fluid.

Thanks Bull.

Cruiser - What hobby store? sorry for thickheadedness...

 

[BrotherRob]

I you're in a hot climate, it's worth doing. If for no better reason, your AC will work much better.

 

[Gray Rider]

Thanks Brother Rob!
but what hobby store and what is this elusive elixir?

 

[BrotherRob]

Thanks Brother Rob!
but what hobby store and what is this elusive elixir?

Can't help you there. My bro is the guru and he gets it in bulk. My understanding is its a silicone oil used in RC cars if that's any help.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Thanks Brother Rob!
but what hobby store and what is this elusive elixir?

There is a Hobby/RC store near me that sells it as rear differential fluid for RC cars. It's also available on Amazon.

Like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Team-Associat...5043&sr=8-2&keywords=silicone+oil+for+rc+cars

 

[Gray Rider]

What are RC cars?

 

[GBinAZ]

Radio Controlled