Don '85S3

Anyone added the silicone fluid without using the heat gun for the rehab process? I've read numerous articles on cooling fan clutch rehab, and none mention heating the clutch up with a heat gun while adding the fluid.

leperboy

It is a lot easier with a heat gun. Heat it up with the gun and spin it to force the silicone to the outside of the reservoir in the fan. I tried it without a gun (actually, I used a blowdryer) and then with and was able to get a lot more in a lot more quickly with heat.

By the way, I still had to replace my fan. Once I took the fan front apart to put in new fluid, it leaked out pretty easily and eventually made a sticky mess of the fan shroud.

Matt

Don '85S3

I have read other stories about the fluid leaking out after completing the rehab.

Anyone know of rebuilt units available? All I can find are new, $400 - $500.

Are there any other manufacturers fan clutches (VW, Volvo, etc.) that are compatible and more reasonably priced?

leperboy

I bought a used one off eBay for $70 that is in good shape, but it was a crapshoot to get a good one. I think the best solution, and one I will go to eventually, is an electric fan, and there are some very nice kits for the around the same price of a new viscous fan, with the added benefit of no HP drag.

Matt

WallyP

The heat source helps. Using a hypodermic helps as well.

There really isn't much disassembly required, certainly none that will cause leakage.

Mark the flat spring across the center, and manipulate it out without bending it. (It is a bimetallic thermal spring that moves the little pin in and out to operate the clutch.)

Here is an old post that you might not have seen. Toyota did have two or three different grades of oil for the fan clutches - I would suggest the thickest version.

http://www.nichols.nu/tip482.htm

leperboy

For me, once the pin was removed, the seal around it never sealed well, and the fluid leaked. Either that, or it was already bad and that is why the old fluid leaked out.

100 weight silicone oil is available at hobby shops. It is used for the shocks on r/c cars. I was able to get a bottle for a couple bucks and it was more than enough for the job.

Matt

Don '85S3

How do you know when the clutch is properly filled. Can you see the silicone at the edge of the opening?

G Man

I refilled mine with toyota fluid. The seal around the pin was dry and not sealing well. It would be great to be able to find replacement seals.

SteveG

Unless you have solved the leak, I found it a wasted exercise. Toyota MAY still use it, the 2 oz bottle I ordered looked like it had been on the shelf since '85. It usually leaks around the fill pin and mine just continued to do so although I had increased the tension from the metal spring that holds it in; I suppose I'm running cool longer than it would at start up, but no other ill effects that I know of. Electric fans are probably the way to go.

Don '85S3

Anyone used Vintage Automotive Research to rebuild?

http://www.gate.net/~foliva/clutch.htm