The fan clutch is stupid. Can I just weld it shut?

[Mark_BC]

I don't get what the point of it is. So you don't want the fan to turn so fast on a cold startup when you want the engine to warm up. Big whoop, who cares, compared to all the problems a bad fan clutch can cause. These engines don't like overheating and that is way more of a risk than taking an extra minute to warm up on a cold morning. And won't the thermostat do that job of keeping the coolant from going through the radiator when cold?

So I am wondering if I can just put a few tack welds on it to make it rigid.

 

[JZiggy]

Nope.

The fan clutch also keeps the fan from spinning too fast. At engine redline the fans only doing 2500rpm max. Otherwise it would ‘splode.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Not to mention the power loss from spinning the fan in proportion to engine RPM. Go electric fan if you don't like it that much, Flex-a-lite sells a kit for our 4Runners.

 

[CB3G_GM]

Your engine will have difficulty reaching operating temperature in cold weather conditions with a locked fan clutch. This also translates to spending more time in open loop when warming up which will likely cause significant drops in fuel economy.

 

[JayRolla]

Your fan would be so loud and tons of power loss. Had a bad clutch that acted welded on an old maxima. It was horrible.

 

[Coward]

Your fan would be so loud and tons of power loss. Had a bad clutch that acted welded on an old maxima. It was horrible.

Same thing here on my 280ZX. Ridiculously loud.

 

[nobb]

Your engine will have difficulty reaching operating temperature in cold weather conditions with a locked fan clutch. This also translates to spending more time in open loop when warming up which will likely cause significant drops in fuel economy.

Also may cause more wear on the engine since it'll be running rich during open loop.

 

[Mark_BC]

Oh OK, thanks. So it isn't stupid I guess. But on my automatic 4runner the rpm's never go much beyond 3000.

 

[T4R2014]

I have a seized fan clutch. Cover shipping and we can trade.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

The engine goes closed loop very soon after a cold start. As soon as the ECU sees a valid operating O2 signal it will go closed loop and start ramping up the target AF ratio from the 8-10 zone to 14.7 around 180f

Watch your Closed Loop PID and when it happens. You will be surprised. My 97 went Closed Loop with the outside temps in the mid 20's faster than the fan clutch warmed up and slowed down.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Brianrietta]

Same thing here on my 280ZX. Ridiculously loud.

Yep a had a 240SX that sounded like a jet engine for a while until I got around to fixing the fan.

 

[Trail Taxi]

With a fixed fan your MPG will take a hit.

TT