I've been having trouble with my 94 SR5 v-6 4x4 4-Runner overheating. I think I've narrowed it down to the fan clutch(I can spin the fan around 3-4 times when the engine is hot). My question is, does everyone with a v-6 have a ring that holds the ends of the fan blades together? Mine doesn't. This car had some front end damage at one time, and I wonder if the person that fixed it put a fan/clutch off of 4-cyl. Do all 3.0 v-6's have this "ring" on their cooling fan? Thanks, Chris

 

My '91 V6 does not have a ring connecting the ends of the fan blades. It does have a black plastic fan shroud that is fixed to the radiator and surrounds the fan. The fan basically fits inside of it and it allows the fan to pull the air through the radiator in a concentrated fashion. The shroud fits closely around the circumference of the blade.....is yours missing the shroud? If your clutch allows you to spin the fan 3 to 4 times while the engine is hot....that is your problem. I can barely get 3/4 of a turn out of mine when the engine is hot. Besides your over heating problem, those fan clutches are know to fail and launch the fan into the radiator, belts, and other under-the-hood items.

David

 

Hey david...tell me about it..My Post

 

Yes there is a black shroud around the radiator and the fan is fairly close fitting. I took the fan clutch apart last night to see if the fluid was low in it. It was. I added silicone fluid I got from Toyota to the clutch. But it didn't help. The clutch seemed in good condition inside. Maybe the fluid that was in there already was bad and I should have added all new fluid

 

my 95 doesn't have the ring connecting the blades either, I wonder why some models had that and some didn't? my friends 90 has that ring and its a 3.0 as well.

 

Newer 2nd Gens don't have the ring as Toyota redesigned the fan to make it lighter. I'm not sure which year, but I believe it might be 93+ don't have the ring. You're better off with the ringless fan.


I found this out when the fan bracket failed on my 90 3.0. The bearing in the fan bracket gave out causing the pulley to wobble around and it eventually torn the belt apart. All due to the heavy ringed fan. The newer, ringless fans are a lot lighter so there is less strain on the fan bracket bearing.
If you fan bracket hasn't failed, get a newer ringless fan to help prevent it. The fan is only $50, OEM fan bracket is $600!

 

I would just ditch the whole bloody fan and shroud if I were you and get a flexalite #165. No more probs and better performance to boot!

 

93 here - no ring

 

I agree with UKMyers! The Flexalite improves performance and gas mileage!

 

Corey: I remember that thread!!!! Actually, your Post was the one I was referring to above, I just didn't take time to find it.....thanks for posting the link to it. Your situation has made me think seriously about going the Flexi-lite route!!!


Hey Joey: Does the Flexi-Lite give you a noticeable increase in useable Hp?

David

 

93 here - yes ring

 

Mmmm! That was tasty! I just got finished eating my words. Turns out I have the ring also. I was going from memory - must have confused the RUnner with another vehicle.

 

They say that memory is the first to go...