RC51

Ok I never noticed this before, but is my 1998 SR5 3.4L 4runner Radiator Fan supposed to be runnign all the time?

I mean I noticed it today when I started it up cold, the fan was running? I drove and drove and then pulled over and it was still running? Hmm Is this normal or did I blow a fuse somewhere?
any advice?

Jay

You have electric fans?

4-Runners have those? *Thinks* I dont remember so....


Aftermarket?


Jay

RC51

UHHH you got me on that one? It is stock fan, a white claer plastic blade?

There is a pulley that looks like it could run the fan, but it is not aftermarket

Jay

Oh... ok


The fan has a thermostatic clutch on it. It locks up and releases on its own. You generally hear a increase in the fan sound it makes when it is engaged. It will always be spinning. When its disengaged the clutch will slip, and youll get better gas mileage.

RC51

really, a clutch Hmmm?. Ok so I guess it is supposed to spin at all times, but when the engine runs hotter and really needs the fan for cooling, the clutch engages and spins the fan at a higher RPM?

and when running cold, the clutch slips and runs a low rpm...is this right?

SO basically is a ok?

Jay

Thats correct.


Jay

RC51

Ok, I was wooried ther for a minute, I thought I messed something up after the Starter install.

You are a GREAT help to this board.

Jay

I might as well note. Some guys in this Forum are planning to put on an Electric cooling fan. This will help with reducing the load on the engine, gaining performance and gas mileage. How much improvement this is, I am not sure.

Jay

Jay

Its the appreaciation express like this, that makes it all worth wild. ( Until snowboarding season kicks in anyhow )

seafarinman

I have an electric radiator fan on my 94. I put it in there after I heard about the overheating/head gasket problems that the 3.0 V6's have. I put mine in about 2 years ago, it is a Haynes electric cooling fan that I bought at pep boys. I also installed a temperature probe in the radiator that is preset for 180 degrees if I recall correctly. I removed the OEM fan and clutch from the waterpump, and just placed washers on the studs on top of the water pump pulley and replaced the original nuts. The fan works great, and only turns on when necessary. It is also set up to turn on and stay on if the A/C is switched on also. I highly recommend this modification based on my experiences with such a setup on my truck, as well as on my old Datsun 210(dead).:cry:

Churnd

I've got the same setup, and have been running it for a year and a half with no problems whatsoever. I run mine through a thermostat, then a relay that is switched by the ignition, so the fan will cut on and off when i turn the key. I noticed a punchier throttle and more torque from the engine after I installed it. Definitely a worthwhile mod for more HP.

Outkast`

You guys say that you got the kit from pepboys. How much was it and how long did it take to slap that bad boy on your runner? It sounds like a very practical mod... and the thought of adding more HP to my runner has me looking forward to the weekend already!

Thanks Guys,



Outkast`

Churnd

i didn't get mine from pep-boys. i got mine from advance auto parts. but it's the same basic stuff. it only took me about 2 hours to install it, but that was because i had never done it before and was learning as i went. i could probably do it again in 30 mins. i'm gonna do a write-up for the tech section whenever i get a free chance.

RC51

HEy Churnd.

Pefect, THis is thw ay I would like it, only turns "ON" when the truck gets hot.

I do have a 1998 3.4L 4runner, and you say you got the parts at Advance auto, what do I ask for? An electric fan 'kit' or what?

Any more info?

Hey And I would like that article you are talking about and how to

Thanks

HaveBlue

I have installed a Hayden electriv fan. I purchased it from Pep Boys. It is thermostatically controlled. I gained a whopping .6 mpg. When four-wheeling, the temperature will spike. It has never overheated, but it is enough of a rise to make me nervous.

A word of advice-
The electric fan is a great idea. It reduces parasitic drag on the engine thereby "freeing" power and increasing economy. However, if anyone plans on offroading their rig with an electric fan, get two fans and mount them side by side. Flex-a-lite makes a dual fan kit, but the cheapest I have been able to find it is $299 (and that's from a good friend of mine!). Visit Gadget's site for a picture of the Flex-a-lite setup.
You can get two 12-14" Hayden fans from Pep Boys for about $120. The thermostat switch is an extra $30. I will be switching from my single to a dual before march.

RC51

Hey Haveblue, How much did you pay for your kit, and does this kit coem with everything I need or do I ned to buy extra stuff, like a thermostat etc??

loosehead

The one you want is the FLX-210, check out this thread . Hope this helps.

Churnd

i think you're gonna have to go with the flex-a-lite fan that's made for your engine. the reason being that i haven't found a universal electric fan that's rated to cool above a 3.0. you could work something out to try to fit 2 smaller fans in there, but the price would still be about $75 a fan, plus all the extra stuff like a thermostat ($15), wiring and fuses, etc. i think i'd just go ahead and get the flex-a-lite unit if i were you, b/c it includes everything you'll need.