Overheat (?) problem. How to tell if fan clutch is bad?

I have an '89 Toyota Cressida and the temp guage has started indicating
a hot condition. It'll run way up to hot and then dip. Sometimes does
it at speed but usually more at low speed/idle. In that respect it acts
like you'd normally expect in an overheat situation, however I put in a
brand new radiator less than a month ago. When it started doing this I
replaced the thermostat, still does it. The engine has about 30k miles
on a complete rebuild. Water pump seems tight, belts are snug. If I
keep the engine RPMs at around 2500 when standing still, it's usually
okay.

The belts are snug, but would a fan clutch cause this kind of
condition? How can you tell if the fan clutch is bad? There seems to
be a fair amount of air moved at a low speed, but I notice I don't feel
particularly more blow back from the fan when I rev the engine.

Other than a bad temp sensor or the guage itself, if the car is
actually overheating, what else could cause it?


Thanks for all input

Hi,
My '89 Corolla behaved like this for a while-- when I was in low-speed
traffic and/or idling, the temp gauge would nearly max out before the
fan would kick in and lower the temp.
My mechanic changed the "fan switch" and it solved the problem. Is
your car's fan kicking in at the temperature it's supposed to?


Doc wrote:[color=blue]
> I have an '89 Toyota Cressida and the temp guage has started indicating
> a hot condition. It'll run way up to hot and then dip. Sometimes does
> it at speed but usually more at low speed/idle. In that respect it acts
> like you'd normally expect in an overheat situation, however I put in a
> brand new radiator less than a month ago. When it started doing this I
> replaced the thermostat, still does it. The engine has about 30k miles
> on a complete rebuild. Water pump seems tight, belts are snug. If I
> keep the engine RPMs at around 2500 when standing still, it's usually
> okay.
>
> The belts are snug, but would a fan clutch cause this kind of
> condition? How can you tell if the fan clutch is bad? There seems to
> be a fair amount of air moved at a low speed, but I notice I don't feel
> particularly more blow back from the fan when I rev the engine.
>
> Other than a bad temp sensor or the guage itself, if the car is
> actually overheating, what else could cause it?
>
>
> Thanks for all input[/color]

He's asking about a "fan clutch" which means he doesn't have electric
fans
..
[email]johnyang97@gmail.com[/email] wrote:[color=blue]
> Hi,
> My '89 Corolla behaved like this for a while-- when I was in low-speed
> traffic and/or idling, the temp gauge would nearly max out before the
> fan would kick in and lower the temp.
> My mechanic changed the "fan switch" and it solved the problem. Is
> your car's fan kicking in at the temperature it's supposed to?
>
>
> Doc wrote:[color=green]
> > I have an '89 Toyota Cressida and the temp guage has started indicating
> > a hot condition. It'll run way up to hot and then dip. Sometimes does
> > it at speed but usually more at low speed/idle. In that respect it acts
> > like you'd normally expect in an overheat situation, however I put in a
> > brand new radiator less than a month ago. When it started doing this I
> > replaced the thermostat, still does it. The engine has about 30k miles
> > on a complete rebuild. Water pump seems tight, belts are snug. If I
> > keep the engine RPMs at around 2500 when standing still, it's usually
> > okay.
> >
> > The belts are snug, but would a fan clutch cause this kind of
> > condition? How can you tell if the fan clutch is bad? There seems to
> > be a fair amount of air moved at a low speed, but I notice I don't feel
> > particularly more blow back from the fan when I rev the engine.
> >
> > Other than a bad temp sensor or the guage itself, if the car is
> > actually overheating, what else could cause it?
> >
> >
> > Thanks for all input[/color][/color]

On Thu, 14 Dec 2006 14:25:48 -0800, Doc wrote:
[color=blue]
> I have an '89 Toyota Cressida and the temp guage has started indicating
> a hot condition. It'll run way up to hot and then dip. Sometimes does
> it at speed but usually more at low speed/idle. In that respect it acts
> like you'd normally expect in an overheat situation, however I put in a
> brand new radiator less than a month ago. When it started doing this I
> replaced the thermostat, still does it. The engine has about 30k miles
> on a complete rebuild. Water pump seems tight, belts are snug. If I
> keep the engine RPMs at around 2500 when standing still, it's usually
> okay.
>
> The belts are snug, but would a fan clutch cause this kind of
> condition? How can you tell if the fan clutch is bad? There seems to
> be a fair amount of air moved at a low speed, but I notice I don't feel
> particularly more blow back from the fan when I rev the engine.
>
> Other than a bad temp sensor or the guage itself, if the car is
> actually overheating, what else could cause it?
>
>
> Thanks for all input[/color]

7M-GE Engine...NOTORIOUS for blowing through Fan Clutches.

You can buy one on E-Bay for $20-25 Buy It Now...the SAME fan clutch I
paid $80 for at AutoZone.

And believe me, when you replace it, you'll KNOW it's working! Sounds like
a B-17 taking off!

If you can spin the fan with the clutch COLD then it is probably bad.
There should be some resistance cold, little resistance when somewhat
warm, and more resistance again when hot. What I did was I drove my Supra
until it started overheating, stopped the car and shut the engine off.
(Since this is not an electric fan there's not much danger of losing a
finger...). I spun the fan and it spun freely. I was well over what was
normal for the engine, so there should have been some resistance.

When I explained my overheating problem in a Supra forum, they all said to
check the fan clutch.

Good Luck.

Hachiroku ãƒ?ãƒ?ãƒ*ク wrote:
[color=blue]
> 7M-GE Engine...NOTORIOUS for blowing through Fan Clutches.
>
> You can buy one on E-Bay for $20-25 Buy It Now...the SAME fan clutch I
> paid $80 for at AutoZone.[/color]

Got one at Autozone for $39, lifetime warranty. Advance wanted
90-something and they had to order it.[color=blue]
>
> And believe me, when you replace it, you'll KNOW it's working! Sounds like
> a B-17 taking off![/color]

Definitely seems to be moving more air. Remains to be seen if it cures
the problem.
[color=blue]
> If you can spin the fan with the clutch COLD then it is probably bad.[/color]

When I gave it a quick snap, it went maybe 1/2 - 3/4 turn. The new one
is clearly much stiffer.

The car seems to be running okay, hopefully no damage was done running
hot.

On Fri, 15 Dec 2006 00:11:25 -0800, Doc wrote:
[color=blue]
>
> Hachiroku ãƒ?ãƒ?ãƒ*ク wrote:
>[color=green]
>> 7M-GE Engine...NOTORIOUS for blowing through Fan Clutches.
>>
>> You can buy one on E-Bay for $20-25 Buy It Now...the SAME fan clutch I
>> paid $80 for at AutoZone.[/color]
>
> Got one at Autozone for $39, lifetime warranty. Advance wanted
> 90-something and they had to order it.[/color]


WHAT?!?!?!?! $39!!!!! Man, my poop-chute hurts!

DURALAST_NEW BWP-690 LLT $74.99

For the Cressida:
TORQFLO
Thermal 922653 LLT $39.99

Now I know not to mention the word "Supra" when ordering parts!!

But, it may have something to do with the Cressida having a real grille
openeing, while the Supra has a little slit and the opening at the bottom
of the air dam. The fan must need to suck more air and probably has a
stiffer clutch.

[color=blue][color=green]
>>
>> And believe me, when you replace it, you'll KNOW it's working! Sounds like
>> a B-17 taking off![/color]
>
> Definitely seems to be moving more air. Remains to be seen if it cures
> the problem.[/color]

Damn! You move fast! When the heck did you do this?

[color=blue]
>[color=green]
>> If you can spin the fan with the clutch COLD then it is probably bad.[/color]
>
> When I gave it a quick snap, it went maybe 1/2 - 3/4 turn. The new one
> is clearly much stiffer.[/color]

Well, that's not too bad. Mine just kept spinning.
Let us know what happens...
[color=blue]
>
> The car seems to be running okay, hopefully no damage was done running
> hot.[/color]

"Doc" <docsavage20@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1166170285.747059.170400@79g2000cws.googlegroups.com...


Got one at Autozone for $39, lifetime warranty. Advance wanted
90-something and they had to order it.[color=blue]
>
> And believe me, when you replace it, you'll KNOW it's working! Sounds like
> a B-17 taking off![/color]

It concerned me a little that he said it may happen at highway speed but
more often at idle.

For many engines, you need little or no fan at highway speeds. At idle, the
fan clutch,
or electrical fan control system, needs to be working because there wont be
any
significant airflow past the radiator to do the cooling otherwise.

So I suggest that the OP test the clutch,or fans, before he starts throwing
more parts at
the car. We would assume he doesnt have an air dome in the engine, or a
gasket or
crack in the block or head that is sometimes opening....but a little
diagnosis might save
time and money down the road.

On Fri, 15 Dec 2006 13:39:56 +0000, hls wrote:
[color=blue]
>
> "Doc" <docsavage20@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1166170285.747059.170400@79g2000cws.googlegroups.com...
>
>
> Got one at Autozone for $39, lifetime warranty. Advance wanted
> 90-something and they had to order it.[color=green]
>>
>> And believe me, when you replace it, you'll KNOW it's working! Sounds like
>> a B-17 taking off![/color]
>
> It concerned me a little that he said it may happen at highway speed but
> more often at idle.
>
> For many engines, you need little or no fan at highway speeds. At idle, the
> fan clutch,
> or electrical fan control system, needs to be working because there wont be
> any
> significant airflow past the radiator to do the cooling otherwise.[/color]

Man, after I replaced the clutch, the first time it came on at highway
speeds it freaked me out! Like I said, it sounded like a B-17 taking off!

Yes, on the Supra it often kicks in at highway speeds, esp in warmer
weather. The car was overheating more at highway speeds than at other
times. I could drive for about 2 hours at lower speeds before it started
getting hot, but only 45 minutes or so at 65-70 before the needle started
reaching for the red.

[color=blue]
>
> So I suggest that the OP test the clutch,or fans, before he starts throwing
> more parts at
> the car. We would assume he doesnt have an air dome in the engine, or a
> gasket or
> crack in the block or head that is sometimes opening....but a little
> diagnosis might save
> time and money down the road.[/color]

As a folllow-up, the new fan clutch seems to have cured the problem.

Hey Hachi -

How are we supposed to know what a B-17 sounds like? There aren't too
many of those left in the air.

:-)

Hachiroku ãƒ?ãƒ?ãƒ*ク wrote:[color=blue]
> On Fri, 15 Dec 2006 13:39:56 +0000, hls wrote:
>[color=green]
> >
> > "Doc" <docsavage20@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> > news:1166170285.747059.170400@79g2000cws.googlegroups.com...
> >
> >
> > Got one at Autozone for $39, lifetime warranty. Advance wanted
> > 90-something and they had to order it.[color=darkred]
> >>
> >> And believe me, when you replace it, you'll KNOW it's working! Sounds like
> >> a B-17 taking off![/color]
> >
> > It concerned me a little that he said it may happen at highway speed but
> > more often at idle.
> >
> > For many engines, you need little or no fan at highway speeds. At idle,the
> > fan clutch,
> > or electrical fan control system, needs to be working because there wont be
> > any
> > significant airflow past the radiator to do the cooling otherwise.[/color]
>
> Man, after I replaced the clutch, the first time it came on at highway
> speeds it freaked me out! Like I said, it sounded like a B-17 taking off!
>
> Yes, on the Supra it often kicks in at highway speeds, esp in warmer
> weather. The car was overheating more at highway speeds than at other
> times. I could drive for about 2 hours at lower speeds before it started
> getting hot, but only 45 minutes or so at 65-70 before the needle started
> reaching for the red.
>
>[color=green]
> >
> > So I suggest that the OP test the clutch,or fans, before he starts throwing
> > more parts at
> > the car. We would assume he doesnt have an air dome in the engine, or a
> > gasket or
> > crack in the block or head that is sometimes opening....but a little
> > diagnosis might save
> > time and money down the road.[/color][/color]

On Wed, 20 Dec 2006 19:59:41 -0800, Doc wrote:
[color=blue]
> As a folllow-up, the new fan clutch seems to have cured the problem.[/color]


That is good news.

But, I have one question...how the HELL did you wind up paying $39?!?!?!

I went to AZ (Shoot...I went to AZ EVERY DAY for about TEN DAYS!!!) and
asked them for a price on a fan clutch for a Cressida...$86, same as for
the Supra.

The only thing I can figure is that they had a DuraLast (their brand), a
Beck-Arnley (even MORE) and on that was shown as N/A. You must have gotten
that, and probably the last one at that!

On Thu, 21 Dec 2006 06:48:06 -0800, Mark wrote:
[color=blue]
> Hey Hachi -
>
> How are we supposed to know what a B-17 sounds like? There aren't too
> many of those left in the air.
>
> :-)[/color]


AMC...catch "12 o'clock High" some time.

GREAT war movie (if you like War movies...I happen to be a WWII Buff, esp
Pearl Harbor and the Air War over Europe). If you can get through it
without falling asleep...it's 2:15 long!

One thing you have to remember...none of the war scenes were staged. They
were filmed by the Air Force and the Luftwaffe during actual combat.
There's one scene where the photographer has JUST focused in on a '17, and
<BOOM> it's gone. And it was REALLY gone.

Quite a sobering thought while you're watching the movie...

That, and the airport 2 miles from my house had a B-17 there for years...



[color=blue]
>
> Hachiroku ãƒ?ãƒ?ãƒ*ク wrote:[color=green]
>> On Fri, 15 Dec 2006 13:39:56 +0000, hls wrote:
>>
>>[color=darkred]
>> > "Doc" <docsavage20@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> > news:1166170285.747059.170400@79g2000cws.googlegroups.com...
>> >
>> >
>> > Got one at Autozone for $39, lifetime warranty. Advance wanted
>> > 90-something and they had to order it.
>> >>
>> >> And believe me, when you replace it, you'll KNOW it's working! Sounds
>> >> like a B-17 taking off!
>> >
>> > It concerned me a little that he said it may happen at highway speed
>> > but more often at idle.
>> >
>> > For many engines, you need little or no fan at highway speeds. At
>> > idle, the fan clutch,
>> > or electrical fan control system, needs to be working because there
>> > wont be any
>> > significant airflow past the radiator to do the cooling otherwise.[/color]
>>
>> Man, after I replaced the clutch, the first time it came on at highway
>> speeds it freaked me out! Like I said, it sounded like a B-17 taking
>> off!
>>
>> Yes, on the Supra it often kicks in at highway speeds, esp in warmer
>> weather. The car was overheating more at highway speeds than at other
>> times. I could drive for about 2 hours at lower speeds before it started
>> getting hot, but only 45 minutes or so at 65-70 before the needle
>> started reaching for the red.
>>
>>
>>[color=darkred]
>> > So I suggest that the OP test the clutch,or fans, before he starts
>> > throwing more parts at
>> > the car. We would assume he doesnt have an air dome in the engine, or
>> > a gasket or
>> > crack in the block or head that is sometimes opening....but a little
>> > diagnosis might save
>> > time and money down the road.[/color][/color][/color]

Hachiroku ãƒ?ãƒ?ãƒ*ク wrote:
[color=blue]
> But, I have one question...how the HELL did you wind up paying $39?!?!?!
>
> I went to AZ (Shoot...I went to AZ EVERY DAY for about TEN DAYS!!!) and
> asked them for a price on a fan clutch for a Cressida...$86, same as for
> the Supra.
>
> The only thing I can figure is that they had a DuraLast (their brand), a
> Beck-Arnley (even MORE) and on that was shown as N/A. You must have gotten
> that, and probably the last one at that![/color]

Perhaps the pricing structure varies depending on where you are? I'm in
Florida.

On Sat, 23 Dec 2006 18:08:52 -0800, Doc wrote:
[color=blue]
>
> Hachiroku ãƒ?ãƒ?ãƒ*ク wrote:
>[color=green]
>> But, I have one question...how the HELL did you wind up paying $39?!?!?!
>>
>> I went to AZ (Shoot...I went to AZ EVERY DAY for about TEN DAYS!!!) and
>> asked them for a price on a fan clutch for a Cressida...$86, same as for
>> the Supra.
>>
>> The only thing I can figure is that they had a DuraLast (their brand), a
>> Beck-Arnley (even MORE) and on that was shown as N/A. You must have
>> gotten that, and probably the last one at that![/color]
>
> Perhaps the pricing structure varies depending on where you are? I'm in
> Florida.[/color]


Mass...which is almost as warm as Fla this year!

On Sat, 23 Dec 2006 18:08:52 -0800, Doc wrote:
[color=blue]
>
> Hachiroku ãƒ?ãƒ?ãƒ*ク wrote:
>[color=green]
>> But, I have one question...how the HELL did you wind up paying $39?!?!?!
>>
>> I went to AZ (Shoot...I went to AZ EVERY DAY for about TEN DAYS!!!) and
>> asked them for a price on a fan clutch for a Cressida...$86, same as for
>> the Supra.
>>
>> The only thing I can figure is that they had a DuraLast (their brand), a
>> Beck-Arnley (even MORE) and on that was shown as N/A. You must have
>> gotten that, and probably the last one at that![/color]
>
> Perhaps the pricing structure varies depending on where you are? I'm in
> Florida.[/color]


And if that's the case, I'm sending YOU requests for parts, cause if it
is, paying the shipping is STILL cheaper!