thedanned

The silicone fluid changes viscosity. It gets thicker as it heats up, making the two halves of the clutch spin as one.

Seems like thats the only "wear item" other than the o ring.

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

Actually there is also a valve inside that is turned by a shaft connected to bi-metallic coil spring on the front of the clutch. Common for that shaft to stick and the coil is unable to turn it, so breaking the shaft free can restore proper operation.

There are several viscosity grades of silicone fluid available to make a clutch stiffer or looser.

DupermanDave

So other than the fluid wearing out, the shaft gets stuck, but that's easily fixable. Can you spray wd-40 in there to loosen or help unstick the shaft? Or would introducing an oil into the clutch make it inoperable?

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

I just grabbed the end of the shaft with a pair of pliers and gave it a little twist and it broke free and moved easily. Suppose you could hit the outside with some oil.

DupermanDave

Thanks for the info. I'm going to get right on it as soon as my next paycheck is in.

tumor21

This might be a question for the newb section... But my 22re overheated recently and I suspect the fan clutch as the culprit. What would be the problem with just removing the fan clutch all together and running a constant fan, like a flexalite or even the stocker?

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

You can test the fan clutch to see if it was the problem, they are quite reliable, at least the OEM Aisin version. I had a clutch from Napa fail after about a year. Drawback of a constant fan would be loss of engine power and MPG. Electric fan, like Flexalite or the Taurus fan is an option but those are only as reliable as the temperature sender and installation. I used to run a Flexalite fan and went back to a stock fan clutch, it is very reliable and works fine.

stormin94

Maybe time to go electric? I find wiring a PITA.....simple, but a pain to do. I just finished correctly wiring my old electric fan today. I've got a mercury villager fan that need some trimming to fit in there. That's next.

91_TOYOTA_4x4

um just a thought but do you live somewhere kinda warm? i know all summer no matter what my fan was off and as soon as it got a tad colder it would turn off. it might just stay on if its warm out? just a thought. i noticed that 22re's fans are on all the time in the summer and 3.0L's seem to turn off more often? anyways i dont know lol

stormin94

Probably have a different thermostat temp. Even just a few degrees would make a big difference if it doesn't get that hot where you live.

91_TOYOTA_4x4

my fan comes on in the summer only. and when i first fire it up for a couple seconds

4x4DemonWithin

k i have the exact opposite problem every one on here is having.
my clutch fan will not engage at all.
is there any way to make a clutch fan always spin no matter what temp?
like your guys always spins how do i make mine do that?

ive gone through 3 or four brand new clutch fans and i dont have a welder
to weld the fan so it one piece. nor do i want an e fan.

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

Well, assuming the clutch has no fluid in it (open it up and drain it if not), drill a few holes through the body of the clutch and put a couple of short bolts through it to lock it in place.

4x4DemonWithin

well i was hoping the quick fix mentioned earlier in this post would work backwards for me...

were if the fan was stuck just grab some pliers and pull the thingy to unstick it! can i use pliers to make it stick? how would i go about doing this?

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

Try it and see. How? Unbolt clutch, unscrew fan, grab center post inside bi-metal coil with pliers and twist back and forth.

4x4DemonWithin

will give it a try. it will be awhile till i can post results. thnkx 4 the help!

4x4DemonWithin

i guess i had a life time warranty on my clutch fan so i just got a brand new one....have not tested it yet due to my o2 sensor going out<--110$ sheesh!!

Pool Playen Bob

does a guy have to pull the coil out first to get to the shaft. i tried to do this tonight since this sucker is always blowing . the blade free spins but it has a small amount of resistance to i pulled it out and thought i'd try to break the sucker free only to have the coil blocking any kind of grasp on it.

the coil seemed sprung out and not tight so i didn't know if i should pry and get the coil apart or smack the coil down with a socket or something to try to get a grasp on the rod. it looks like the coil is soldered in place at the rod.

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

I recall turning the shaft with the coil still attached. But that was like 12 years ago so don't remember exactly.

Pool Playen Bob

ok. i'll have to pull it out again and fiddle with it. see if i can get the spring down a little closer. so i can bite it with something. its either this or im hoping an oil change will fix it.