Replace or rebuild fan clutch

CedRunner

CedRunner

New member
Newbie here, been reading a lot over last few year and finally purchased some 4runners. The one in question is my 1 week old 96' 4Wd limited with 183k on the 3.4 v6, it's automatic. Everything appears fine but overheats when driven up hill in the mountains pushing 3K RPM. After some reading I've come to the conclusion that I have a bad fan clutch, spins fairly freely at cold or operating temperature. I am mechanically inclined and just wonder if I could save a few bucks rebuilding my fan clutch as opposed to shelling out the $100+. Any advice is apreciated in advance.
 
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You have a 1 week old 1996 4Runner in 2012?

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Lol, I couldn't resist. Most people just choose to replace them. Try googling it. You may dig up some how-to's from here and Tacoma forums on rebuilding them. If you do get a new one, stick with Aisin brand fan clutches.
 
Here's a write-up out of my link collection.

UltimateYota.com - Upgrading The Fan Clutch

This guy is trying to upgrade by changing to a heavier oil, but if lost fluid is your issue it should cover that, too. The other possibility is a seized or broken bimetal actuator valve. I figure if it's broke, it's toast. If it's seized, free it up. That should cover it, it's a pretty simple piece of hardware.

I got a new Aisin OEM clutch for like $65 at the time from partsgeek.com. Rebuilding didn't seem worth it, it had been on duty for ten years. Here's a link to a good thread on changing fan clutches...link is to my post...sorry about that:1998 3.4 Auto 4Runner, Overheating Issue, Suggestions? - Page 3 - YotaTech Forums
 
Great, thank you Durk. New to me, lol. I already Googled a few videos and it seems like it not to big a deal to rebuild them. Only price I could find were above $100, some were link from forums on here. Thanks for the link, I'll check it out.
 
TheDurk said:
Here's a write-up out of my link collection.

UltimateYota.com - Upgrading The Fan Clutch

This guy is trying to upgrade by changing to a heavier oil, but if lost fluid is your issue it should cover that, too. The other possibility is a seized or broken bimetal actuator valve. I figure if it's broke, it's toast. If it's seized, free it up. That should cover it, it's a pretty simple piece of hardware.

I got a new Aisin OEM clutch for like $65 at the time from partsgeek.com. Rebuilding didn't seem worth it, it had been on duty for ten years. Here's a link to a good thread on changing fan clutches...link is to my post...sorry about that:1998 3.4 Auto 4Runner, Overheating Issue, Suggestions? - Page 3 - YotaTech Forums
Click to expand...

Do you have a part number? And did you use the blue clutch?
 
Check your radiator. I too had the same problem during the summer when I cross the Sierra Nevada mountains. Fan clutch spins freely and I replaced it. Bad guess. It was a clogged radiator. How old is your radiator?
 
I might be missing something, but in this thread you said it was $65, but in the other linked thread you said it was $110. Was this a misprint or is there a clutch in between that I may have missed in my reading? Either way it beats dealer prices :)
 
etc. said:
I might be missing something, but in this thread you said it was $65, but in the other linked thread you said it was $110. Was this a misprint or is there a clutch in between that I may have missed in my reading? Either way it beats dealer prices :)
Click to expand...

Yep, inflation is a real b*&ch, no way around it. As Durk said, get the Aisin.
 
etc. said:
I might be missing something, but in this thread you said it was $65, but in the other linked thread you said it was $110. Was this a misprint or is there a clutch in between that I may have missed in my reading? Either way it beats dealer prices :)
Click to expand...

OOPS. I guess I did pay $111. Amazon at $98 is the best price I see now. Memory failure, it was 2 1/2 years ago.
 
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