Fan Clutch or something worse?

tystaco

tystaco

New member
99 Limited with 245k, ran like normal last night, roared like a sun of a gun this morning on a cold start. Haven't driven it yet, but makes the same roar/whine all 3 times I have started it, seems to be coming from the fan clutch or a bearing at the front of the engine.

I have already ordered a fan clutch, will be here Saturday, but I am wondering what you guys think. I will go through the other clutch check methods as discussed in the other thread about how loud is your 4runner and also discussed by [MENTION=120071]mtbtim[/MENTION] 's video for fan clutch replacement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTadw4e9Wi8
 
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Not sold on it being the fan clutch.

Almost sounds like power steering pump whine.

The fan is thermostatic so what does it do once it's warmed up? That will give you a better indication of what it is.

I know mine is pretty loud with fan noise once it gets cold up here. It was -9 C this morning but it settles after about 30 seconds.
 
Short Fan noise on cold starts is normal. I’d be more worried about that whining noise,


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Sounds like a bearing on its way out.

Bad thing to change out the fan clutch at 245k? No, and it may help locate that whine ..
 
[MENTION=69868]LittleCaesar[/MENTION], that is exactly where my head is it. $90 for a new part and a few minute job on something that has 245k on it is a no brainer for me.

I will get over my hesitation of making something worse and take it for a cruise to see what happens after it is warmed up. I believe the fan clutch will reduce a lot of my noise, I just can't figure out what else would increase the sound of air volume 3 fold overnight other than that. The whine I am betting is a different problem, but I don't really know, so it will be a bit of trial and error.
 
When removing the fan clutch, loosen the tension in all three drive belts to make getting the fan off the bracket 10x easier. But also you can check everything the belts drive by hand to see if you can feel any harshness or roughness in a bearing. You could even leave the AC drive belt completely off.

Tim and Sean's video on drive belt replacement may be of assistance.
 
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Fan clutch seemed normal to me, but oh well doesn't hurt to replace it. That's definitely the power steering pump going out though, I would get that replaced ASAP. I can see its wet at the top as well. I guess the plus is it sounds a little like a supercharger hehe
 
giovannie23 said:
How are your voltage readings?
To me it sounds like your alternator is going out
Click to expand...

I agree. Sounds like my alternator did. But the noise through a youtube video isn't the best way to diagnose things...

OP, replacing the fan clutch isn't a bad idea. Has me thinking about replacing mine since my truck has 236k now and is still on the original one.

To pinpoint the noise if it is a bearing, take a long screw driver, pry bar, or automotive stethoscope and put one end up to your ear and the other end on the alternator housing and power steering pump. You'll be able to hear which is the one making the noise, if one of them is making the noise. Since you have multiple 5vz's you can even compare the sounds between the motors to see how it is supposed to sound.

Also check the voltage readings and compare them to the FSM values to see if it's charging properly.

And if you do replace the alternator don't get parts store garbage. Get a new Denso, or have your's rebuilt. I went through two parts store alternators before I got another Denso.
 
what about the fake water pump. whatever you want to call it. the fan clutch bolts to it. the true water pump is in with the timing belt
 
Did the temp drop significantly over night?

Sounds like a power steering pump to me...When you start it up, turn the wheel side to side and listen for fluctuation in the whining noise. Cold temps can accentuate noise from a worn hydraulic pump. Also, if you have a leak in the hydraulic system, your fluid can aerate causing the pump to cavitate and that makes a lot of noise. See if the fluid looks foamy...

The fan sounded normal to me. big rush of air noise at first, then tapers off as it should. Again, if you had a significant change in temps overnight, this could cause the fluid in the fan clutch to take a little longer to warm up/move around.
 
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And the winner is......power steering pump. I turned the wheel side to side the morning and she really screamed. Pulled the reservoir off and got a lot of junk out of that thing.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/150426074@N06/24322228098/in/dateposted-public/" title="Power steering reservoir"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4483/24322228098_0f60e1f5f1.jpg" width="281" height="500" alt="Power steering reservoir"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I did not do a full flush, while it could clearly use it. I will plan to continue to turkey baste the reservoir over the next couple of weeks and do a dilution fluid swap now that I got the majority of the gunk out of it.

I was able to get the reservoir off without pulling the whole pump, just need to take tension off the belt so you can spin the pulley, which felt smooth, and line up the hole to be able to pull the front reservoir bolt off.
 
Roamed YT said:
I claim my dollar!

Glad to see you got it figured out... did the pump give you any grief coming out?
Click to expand...

It was in fact giving me grief. I could not disconnect the oil pressure regulator or whatever it is called. I hit it with PB blaster, but then thought, screw this, I will start with cleaning the reservoir. So then I went about getting the reservoir off while leaving the pump in place.
 
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