Weird AC Issue

[andrewwynn]

The problem with a locked clutch is the fan will self destruct from centrifugal force at enough rpm.

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

The problem with a locked clutch is the fan will self destruct from centrifugal force at enough rpm.

I figured, so I'm keeping the revs down until I get the new clutch. Should be here friday and I'll get it swapped this weekend. Just can't deal with the heat without AC.

[andrewwynn]

Originally Posted by Fifty150hs

I figured, so I'm keeping the revs down until I get the new clutch. Should be here friday and I'll get it swapped this weekend. Just can't deal with the heat without AC.

I think you’ll be OK for short up to 4000 I would keep it under 4000 for sure. once every 18 months post xoutpost fails locked send the blades through everything.


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[andrewwynn]

I feel your pain. I’m driving my wife’s 535 right now because her AC broke change the compressor. she gets to drive X5 working AC


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[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

I think you’ll be OK for short up to 4000 I would keep it under 4000 for sure. once every 18 months post xoutpost fails locked send the blades through everything.


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Fortunately I only have some around town driving to do this week so been keeping it to 3000.

[X5chemist]

Companies don't make them like they used too. Older clutches failed locked! You could hear air being sucked into the engine bay. I guess it's part of the reason manufactures went to plastic fins too. I hear mine engage shortly after start up and disengage until it's hot. My clutch is almost 3 years old in Texas heat. I'll probably replace it next year.

[Fifty150hs]

Got my new fan clutch installed last night. Works great. The AC is working better and the aux fan isn't running near as fast as it was. AC works well when just not moving too, so I think I found the culprit. Oh and it doesn't sound like I'm driving a truck with that shrieking fan anymore.

[X5chemist]

What are your R134 pressures?

[workingonit]

Originally Posted by X5chemist

Companies don't make them like they used too. Older clutches failed locked! You could hear air being sucked into the engine bay. I guess it's part of the reason manufactures went to plastic fins too. I hear mine engage shortly after start up and disengage until it's hot. My clutch is almost 3 years old in Texas heat. I'll probably replace it next year.

I removed and replaced the clutch fan on my X5, completely. The viscous clutch was loose and shrieking (and sometimes roaring), and the fan blades were cracking, and a couple had lost some material. It was a matter of time before the whole apparatus failed, and probaly would destroy the hood, radiator, and maybe the water pump, too.

I used an aftermarket electric fan (my go-to solution, for many applications, and vehicle types), and I'm sure that doing so helped the overall cooling, too. I have either replaced the factory clutch fans or supplemented them with electrics, for almost 40 years now, with only a few exceptions (a Fiero L4, an Olds Achieva SC Quad-four, two recent Ecotec-powered L4's, and my wife's Lexus ES350...all had good electric fans from the factory).

I've added supplementary electrics to all my older trucks, which came with clutch fans, except for my '98 GMC 5.7L, and my '04 Chevy 2500HD 6.0L. Both clutch fans are still perfect after 185k and 140k miles, respectively, though I recently added a 12" electric to the '98 GMC, since I had bought it for test use and I figured that the low-speed-idling 5.7L could use some help, forA?C cooling in summer, at stoplights.

I test both viscous clutches every summer, and neither seems to be aging. I certainly wouldn't replace either, even with AC Delco or Delphi "factory replacement parts", since you can never tell about new parts, anymore. I'll go electric, rather than take a chance.

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by X5chemist

What are your R134 pressures?

Just got the tool to check that but haven't had a chance yet.