Attempting to repair a Viscous Fan Coupler (rad fan clutch)

[senn]

I have an RA60 celica that i'm using as a bunky atm, but she's running warm. I've already done the rad cap/thermostat/waterpump, hosed out the rad fins, removed the a/c condenser (more airflow to rad) and used chem flush on the cooling system to try to give it a fighting chance. The radiator is showing it's age, but it's the last thing i want to have to replace as i'm trying to keep this thing running on a budget, and the rest of the car is in average/poor condition.

But i also suspect the Viscous Coupler on the rad fan is dying/dead as it continues to spin when i shut the engine off for a few seconds. It also seems to be completely engaged when i first start the motor, but blows less as the engine warms up.

So, i'd like to try fix this by the best means, if i can make it work like it should, or make it so it's always engaged. I can't see a filler plug or anything on it, from my vague understanding these are filled with a fluid of some sort? If thats the case, can i undo the bolts around the edge to attempt to refill it? What is it supposed to have in it?

If i fill it with something that makes the fan spin ALL the time (silicon/glue etc), is it likely to make the plastic fan disintegrate at higher rpm, and end up costing me a radiator etc

Any help appreciated

[madmont]

They have silicone in them readily available at your Toyota dealer. Making them run with no slip will cost power and be noisy.

[river]

Hi,

There was a recent thread about this.

The Readers Digest version is you remove the fan and coupling. You unbolt the coupling halves and then go to Toyota and buy a tube of viscous fluid. It's a tiny little tube. One is enough, but I use 2 tubes. Fill one half of the coupling, then put the coupling back together and you're all done.

The fan won't disintegrate at high rpm. It's biult for those revs so you're okay.

Check after a day or so to see there is no leakage or you'll lose the fluid and be back to how it was.

seeyuzz
river

[senn]

Thanks + rep to both of you. I'll pop down and grab some once they're open

[senn]

Swoit, car is now holding a nice steady temperature in traffic and on the highway.

The silicone was about $12 a tube (TGP), and i used 2 tubes

One tip i would suggest to anyone else attempting this - Get the large gasket/o-ring for the Coupler housing, or make sure you have a tube of sealant handy, as when i opened mine, the original o-ring had stretched, and didn't want to sit back in it's groove properly.

[river]

Hi,

Yep, makes a big diff. I did the viscous fan on the old AE71 I had. Makes a diff when the fan can turn properly.

Good to see you're back on the road, terrorizing women and chilluns again.

seeyuzz
river