OVERHEATING:Part 3
#3
02-06-2008, 03:57 PM
Veteran Member
RE: OVERHEATING:Part 3
The fan clutch should always turn. If it's warm, you may have resistance, but it should turn. With the engine cold, start the engine and immediately shut it down. It may turn two or so revolutions, but not much more than that.
Shoulds like yours is weak. The classic signs of a weak clutch is a car that overheats in traffic, but is fine on the highway. The signs of a locked up clutch is overheating on the highway but fine in traffic.
Don't worry about the waterpump unless it's leaking. The v8 cars had impellor problems, but the XJ6 cars are just fine.
http://www.motorcarsltd.com/item.wws?sku=IN105387
Shoulds like yours is weak. The classic signs of a weak clutch is a car that overheats in traffic, but is fine on the highway. The signs of a locked up clutch is overheating on the highway but fine in traffic.
Don't worry about the waterpump unless it's leaking. The v8 cars had impellor problems, but the XJ6 cars are just fine.
http://www.motorcarsltd.com/item.wws?sku=IN105387
#4
02-06-2008, 09:13 PM
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Posts: n/a
RE: OVERHEATING:Part 3
Thanks Ken! that piece of information you gave I think is def my problem then. I changed out the coolant tank this afternoon with the new one they just sent free of charge. That was easy enough and surprisingly my coolant light finally went off this time unlike the first time we replaced the coolant tank! But I was pokin around at the cooling fan too and did spin it while car was off and it had a little resistence but it was definitely NOT on when my car was running for 15 mins in the garage. And you're completely right..my car ONLY starts to overheat in heavy stop and go traffic toward the city and school each morning and as it did just running in park for almost a 1/2 hour last week when I let it run in the garage... If this turns out to only be the fan clutch it will make my year! Thank you again for your help. I'm going to price out some fan clutches tonight.
#5
02-07-2008, 11:23 AM
Veteran Member
RE: OVERHEATING:Part 3
Glad to help. I put a link to our fan clutch in my post above.
A little further info:
I your case the fan "free wheels" which is what it's suppose to do on the highway. The car's own movement pushes the air through. In stop and go or at idle, the clutch tightens and "pulls" the air in. Sounds like yours never tightens, so no air is drawn in to help cool.
Had the fan been "locked" or "frozen" the air would be pulled through in stop and go traffic just fine. But, once on the highway the fan would spin only as fast as the engine. It would not "free wheel." This actually slows the air being pushed through naturally and causes the overheating at speed.
A little further info:
I your case the fan "free wheels" which is what it's suppose to do on the highway. The car's own movement pushes the air through. In stop and go or at idle, the clutch tightens and "pulls" the air in. Sounds like yours never tightens, so no air is drawn in to help cool.
Had the fan been "locked" or "frozen" the air would be pulled through in stop and go traffic just fine. But, once on the highway the fan would spin only as fast as the engine. It would not "free wheel." This actually slows the air being pushed through naturally and causes the overheating at speed.
#6
02-07-2008, 06:28 PM
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RE: OVERHEATING:Part 3
Hey Ken, so let me see if I understood what you've told me so far before I go out and buy a fan clutch.
The fan spins by itself without the help of the clutch when you're cruising down the highway (when mine doesn't overheat) and the clutch "tightens" when in stop in go traffic or idle? By which you mean the clutch tightens and makes the fan spin to draw the air in if I understand correctly? Which is what you're saying mine doesnt do since thats when it starts to overheat. I think I just didnt get the last sentence about the fan not free wheeling while on the highway and causing it to overheat then?
The fan spins by itself without the help of the clutch when you're cruising down the highway (when mine doesn't overheat) and the clutch "tightens" when in stop in go traffic or idle? By which you mean the clutch tightens and makes the fan spin to draw the air in if I understand correctly? Which is what you're saying mine doesnt do since thats when it starts to overheat. I think I just didnt get the last sentence about the fan not free wheeling while on the highway and causing it to overheat then?
#7
02-08-2008, 08:38 AM
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#8
02-08-2008, 10:33 AM
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RE: OVERHEATING:Part 3
Hey Ken,
One last quick question I forgot to ask. What actually makes the fan clutch work? When I was looking at that general area I didnt see any motor or anything that operates the clutch? But if it is the clutch, do you really think replacing it will solve my overheating problems? Thanks again!
One last quick question I forgot to ask. What actually makes the fan clutch work? When I was looking at that general area I didnt see any motor or anything that operates the clutch? But if it is the clutch, do you really think replacing it will solve my overheating problems? Thanks again!
#9
02-11-2008, 05:22 PM
Veteran Member
RE: OVERHEATING:Part 3
It sounds like it would be the fix. Can't be certain without being there. How it works. As I've said before, "How does popcorn pop? Who cares? It works!"
Seriously, my simple understanding is that it's a fluid based clutch. The fluid expands and contracts with temparture causing the clutch to engage and disengage. I don't really know how it lets go to "free wheel" at highway speeds.
Seriously, my simple understanding is that it's a fluid based clutch. The fluid expands and contracts with temparture causing the clutch to engage and disengage. I don't really know how it lets go to "free wheel" at highway speeds.
#10
02-11-2008, 06:06 PM
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RE: OVERHEATING:Part 3
haha, o man got to love the popcorn comparison...Thank you again for all your help though I think I will buy the part soon since I'll be selling the car itself before the end of April so at least I'll already have the clutch on hand for the next owner to put in and not have to worry about anything since the rest of the car is in tip top shape!