newly installed radiator

[roverBLUE]

Replaced my radiator the other day. No leaks. All hoses are good. Thermostat is good and working but NOT brand new. It starts out cold and moves to normal operating temp position which is about a hair under half mark. This has always been the normal position and it will go up when temp starts getting too high.
Today was the first real hot day to test. I drove a little over 100 miles in 93+ deg weather. Some stop and go. Had a shoot that lasted about 2 hrs so it a got a break. The whole day I ran with the AC on purposely to test the cooling system. On my way home the temp gauge started to climb. I waited 'till it got just a little past the half mark and I chickened out and put windows down, shut AC off etc. In about 10 seconds or so, needle went back to normal position just below half. What gives? Is this normal. When is it too hot? Should I have let it climb? I stopped at my sisters house. Turned the AC back on and let the truck sit in the driveway for about 5 min. Never went up. Checked for leaks again. None. Checked coolant level-it was perfect. Has my previous cooling system woes scarred me for life with this RRC?

 

[KyleT]

viscous fan clutch giving out a little?

 

[rover4x4]

fan clutch dude, Ive got one in Raleigh if youre ina huge pinch and your truck is a vbelt. Otherwise NAPA can get you one in a couple days if its a 95 vatozone or advanced has your solution.

You could also have some air trapped in the block but in my experience youre probably good at this point

 

[roverBLUE]

dunno. fan/clutch seem good. blades look good. good tension and does not turn freely. no play front to back. no signs of leaks from the clutch. I hear the clutch engage and the fan get louder when at operating temps on and off. Do I really need to do the ol' rolled up newspaper test to try and stop the fan...just seems like an un-methodical test...

 

[sven]

If you hear the fan, it might be working...Do you hear it when the needle crept up? If not, it might be toast.

 

[roverBLUE]

OK. I tried to slow/stop the fan from turning. Engine on but cold- a piece of cardboard could not stop the fan. Engine at operating temps (gauge reading slightly lower than half)-could not stop the fan. The only time it got loud was when I turned the ac on. Oddly enough, the fan was freewheeling and easy to turn after I shut off the truck than when it was cold and there was tension tension. If there was an easier time to turn the fan- I thought it would be when cold.

Sven-pretty sure fan was on when needle crept up...but then again, I was running the AC.

 

[sven]

I know you said "newly" installed but is it actually a new radiator, or just new to you?

 

[crown14]

check condition of the condenser fan?

 

[roverBLUE]

Sven- newly recored original LR unit.

Crown- fans work.

Reading up some more and getting info from RAVE on how to test I think I will throw my hands up and say bad fan clutch. It says turn with little effort when cold but with tension which it has. But fan impossible to turn when shut off from hot due to all fluid being the clutch-which in my case it turns as free as a bicycle wheel. I think that my clutch is stuck and not working properly and efficiently-not drawing enough air to help with cooling. What do you think? 'cause I am about to purchase a new fan clutch.

 

[burn_e]

I suspect the radiator to be clogged, since the trouble showed up while driving and not while idling.

When the engine is hot, is the upper hose unusual hard (high pressure)?

Did you make sure all air is out of cooling system?

 

[sven]

I think that my clutch is stuck and not working properly and efficiently-not drawing enough air to help with cooling. What do you think? 'cause I am about to purchase a new fan clutch.

That sounds reasonable enough. Id probably replace it especially if its original.

 

[rover4x4]

a solution

Yippee ki-yay mutha trucka! For all future kiddies, part # 215157 Imperial Fan Clutch from Advance Auto (among others) works lovely as Snipe has so lovingly provided.

Parts needed:
Fan clutch 215157 ($66.96)
4 Bolts (Help! kit # 14040 10x1.5x15mm four pack) ($5.98)
10mm drill bit or reamer (had an old bit laying around, think I used a 3/8" bit)

Installation:
Remove your fan blade assembly from the old clutch
Ream out the 4 mounting holes on fan blade assembly to fit the 10mm bolts from the Help! kit
Bolt your fan blade assembly onto the new clutch with your Help! bolts
Reinstall onto your water pump and you are good to go

Shoulda took pictures, but geez, this was probably the easiest thing I've ever done to my truck. Works in a pinch when ya can't wait for mail order goodies or you can't make it to the distance to the dealer cause you're overheating.

Thanks D-webbers for another DIY repair with minimal swearing,
Jen

 

[crown14]

make damn sure your fan blades arent cracked if you are going to dick around with the clutch

 

[roverBLUE]

inspected each and every blade. all looks good. gonna source a fan clutch tomorrow am.

 

[aliastel]

Use an impact wrench if the bolts that hold the clutch to the fan are stuck. It is much easier than trying to find more leverage, and safer for the fan too. Makes it a breeze.

 

[roverBLUE]

Lol. The fan was indeed "stuck" to the clutch. And that is putting it lightly. Went through 2 bits in the process. One bit left, a socket wrench and a cheater bar for leverage and a shit load of PB finally broke them.
Got the fan clutch and hoses from http://www.btlrovers.com/
Thanks PT! Just waiting on another lower hose, another drain and refill and hopefully I will be done with this cooling episode.