clutch fan bearing

[tupeloranger4x4]

ok heres the problem.my thermostat gasket went bad and the leaking coolant drained straight to clutch fan where it bolts in.i got a high sqawl when its hit around 1200 rpms.could the coolant have dryed the bearings in the fan or whatevers in it.dont kno much about them since ive never replaced one

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

sounds like the silcone oil leaked out of the fan clutch, does the fan turn when you have the engine off? it should turn by hand and if it doesn't you need to get a fan clutch from a junkyard

 

[tupeloranger4x4]

it spins like maybe a quarter the way around but not like free spool kinda spin

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

get a new fan clutch

 

[tupeloranger4x4]

thanks man.i got the parts store to order it and a thermostat gasket.

 

[Earl43P]

I'd look a bit further into this.
The likelihood is far greater that you simply need a new idler or tensioner pulley, or have a stretched belt.

I've never known a fan clutch to make the kind of noise described.

Each of those pulleys cost ~$18 virtually anywhere. I remove mine and pop the grease covers off the bearings with a jewlers screwdriver, solvent clean and repack the bearings. I do that annually or so. I'm due, one of mine is making some noise. I have an idler installed with a trial bearing I got at NAPA (they list quite a few different 6203 bearings). You can also replace the bearings in the metal (not plastic tensioner) pulleys, but take care to seat the new bearing the same depth as the original or your belt alignment will be off.

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

well i said fan clutch because.. the exact same thing happened to me and i just assumed that the high pitched squeal was the belt slipping

 

[tupeloranger4x4]

well earl43p ive heard the tensior pulley like ur talking.the ones ive heard squeal like theres something in the belt not high sqawl that mine has.it would have to be something that doesnt steady turn all the time cuz it only does it at throttle around 1200.i got a friend to hold the brake and hit the gas and its definately comin from the fan.so fan clutch should be the cause

 

[Earl43P]

Oh, I was just saying it's just very common for pulley bearings to go.
I've seen fan clutches fail, but they typically stay fully engaged, making a roaring sound because the fan is spinning at full engine rpm.

I keep two spare pulleys, a bearing and the last belt I took off as emergency spares. I had a tensioner pulley bearing go out and it shredded the belt and left me on the side of the road, PO'd at myself for letting the noise go too long (in the torrential rain, coming home from the airport).

I had a bad alternator on a 93 make a noise too. I knew it was the alternator after spinning it with the belt off.

 

[tupeloranger4x4]

well when my truck sits in the sun for a while if i crank it up the fan will increase with rpm till like 3rd gear while doin the annoyin scream

 

[289-tiger-]

In the mid 90s the idler was replaced from a channeled to a smooth pulley. A question I asked the dealership when I replaced the part.

Good luck