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    #1

    clutch fan and alternator help

    I just put in a new alternator belt and now im having some problems

    After the fist night driving with the new belt i came home to a smoking engine bay (wasn't overheating). I found out i hadn't tightened the alternator belts enough so I went ahead and did that.

    I came home today and noticed the same thing and the alternator seemed loose again. so i tightened it up a ton this time. I don’t think its possible to move the alternator blades unless you really apply a ton of force. I have a feeling its still going to smoke though....

    Another problem I'm having is the clutch fan isn't spinning. When I turn the car on it spins fine for about 30 seconds and then dies down to not spinning at all.

    Whats my problem?
    Tags: None
    #2
    Are you sure you have the correct belt? If it is too long you won't be able to properly tension it. Another possible cause of what you describe is a failure of the water pump that makes the shaft very difficult to turn.

    As to the fan clutch, The fan should be freewheel when the radiator is cool and only lock up when the radiator is at normal temp (temp gauge above the first mark).
    The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
    Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

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      #3
      I though the fan was supposed to be running all the time?? I've never seen it start up and then stop like this before.

      I bought the belt from adanced autoparts so its possible they could have messed up.. but it seems to be the right size.

      Can anyone tell me how much pressure needs to be added to get your alternator fan blades to move with the belt on?? Should you be able to move it slightly if you press really hard with one/two fingers??

      Comment

        #4
        I was always told that the belt should move down between .5 and 1 inch.

        Sarcasm is a body's natural defense against stupid.
        When a man talks dirty to a woman, it's sexual harassment. When a woman talks dirty to a man, it's £3.95 per minute.
        "My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-bitch." Jack Nicholson"
        Old age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill.

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          #5
          slake in the belt or movment in the blade?

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            #6
            The clutch is temperature controlled. The clutch locks up when it it heated by air flowing over the radiator at normal temperature. When the radiator is cold the clutch is unlocked and the fan can easily be stopped, though it will normally be turning. You should be able to easily stop the fan with a rolled up newspaper when the radiator is cold. But it should be difficult to stop the fan from turning when the radiator is hot.

            You should be able to slightly deflect the belt by pressing in between the pulleys.
            The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
            Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

            Comment

              #7
              Originally posted by Schneider325 View Post
              slake in the belt or movment in the blade?
              Slack in the belt. I personally think less is better. So about .5 inch is good.

              Sarcasm is a body's natural defense against stupid.
              When a man talks dirty to a woman, it's sexual harassment. When a woman talks dirty to a man, it's £3.95 per minute.
              "My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-bitch." Jack Nicholson"
              Old age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill.

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                #8
                thanks

                anyone have a suggestion on the clutch fan? goes at normal speed for only 30seconds then it does nothing... it looks like it iis trying to spin but it just cant get started

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                  #9
                  the clutch fan should always spin. replace it.
                  Build thread

                  Bimmerlabs

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                    #10
                    fan clutchs are expensive. mine cost about 95 buck. after that you'll be smooth sailing my friend.

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                      #11
                      kinda sucks I might have broke it trying to get it off for that alt belt...

                      One step forward and 2 steps back.
                      I'm not giving up though.

                      Comment

                        #12
                        I've had problems getting an alternator belt to fit properly. Some of the American belts aren't true metric sizes and you will max out the alt adjustment before it becomes adequately tight.
                        sigpic

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                          #13
                          I always buy Conti. belts for my BMWs, but here is a place to get a fan clutch on the cheap. http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=67894 I have one on my eta and it works just as good as the sachs one on my turbo car.
                          :: PNW Crew ::
                          '87 325 4dr, '74 2002

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                            #14
                            hopfully the belt is fine.
                            Just orderd that new fan for $32 shipped using that MI area code : ]

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