New FGY33 (2000 AE)owner with a few questions

[350tpi]

Hello,everyone.I am a former G50 owner and currently have a GS400 also.3 weeks ago i picked up an anniversary edition in atlanta.So far i have replaced the trans mount,oil and filter (M1)and trans fluid.I have read the first 125 pages of this forum and have learned a TON of stuff.I am currently replacing a tensioner pulley bearing and wanted to verify the bearing is 6303 ZZ double sealed?I plan on picking up a good quality bearing (non chinese)and finding a place to machine out the old one and put the new one in.Also i am going to replace the belts.My 2nd question is:In order to get the alternator belt off does the fan blade need to be removed?I have taken off the upper radiator hose and cannot get the shroud out in order to get to the fan blade bolts.It appears that maybe the shroud is a 2 piece but didnt see how to take it apart in the FSM.Any help is much apprceiated.

[Skibane]

Welcome!

I am currently replacing a tensioner pulley bearing and wanted to verify the bearing is 6303 ZZ double sealed?I plan on picking up a good quality bearing (non chinese)and finding a place to machine out the old one and put the new one in.

Member TexasOil has located a good source for idler pulley bearings. You might shoot him an email at the link shown at the top of his company web page.

In order to get the alternator belt off does the fan blade need to be removed?

I'm 95 percent certain I've replaced mine without removing the fan blade.

I have taken off the upper radiator hose and cannot get the shroud out in order to get to the fan blade bolts.It appears that maybe the shroud is a 2 piece but didnt see how to take it apart in the FSM.

It's a 1-piece shroud.

I usually remove the fan clutch/blade first - allows the shroud to be easily pulled, if necessary. A gear wrench (ratcheting wrench) makes it a lot easier to loosen or tighten the fan clutch bolts.

Removing the engine coolant filler neck (near the alternator, attached to the upper radiator hose) also gives you extra clearance for pulling the fan/clutch.

[350tpi]

Skibane,thanks for the welcome.I already dropped off the pulley at Motion Industries for the new bearings before i saw your reply.It will run about $40 for their high quality bearings and the price includes R&R the bearings.Just in case anyone else tries this the size is 6301 for this pulley not 6303.

[Wiggler]

yeah... welcome...

Actually, Ski, the shroud has two plastic inserts on either side that are PITA to get out... and probably even more trouble to put back in, I didn't bother with putting them back in when I took mine off... the four bolts should provide enough support to keep the plastic cover in place....
here's a warp speed video of some Japanese guy replacing the alternator, if you haven't gotten to that part yet... he didn't remove the fan either... hope this helps.
the weird part is that he's adding Toyota long-life coolant at the end on the process...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYjkfMpsryM[/youtube]

[350tpi]

Wiggler,thanks for the video.I ended up taking out the radiator and shroud to get the fan off.Since i have so much room i decided to do some degreasing and do the passengers side valve cover.Once i took the cover off i was heartbroken and couldnt believe my eyes.....SLUDGE!!After i fix the valve covers i guess i will be selling and taking a loss on it.I cant imagine any amount of motor flush getting rid of it.This was a 1 owner car that was supposedly taken great care of.Looks like the oil was changed 3 times its whole life.It runs great and has no check engine lights,misfires,or anything.I would post pics but its just turns my stomach to see it right now.

[maxnix]

Wiggler,thanks for the video.I ended up taking out the radiator and shroud to get the fan off.Since i have so much room i decided to do some degreasing and do the passengers side valve cover.Once i took the cover off i was heartbroken and couldnt believe my eyes.....SLUDGE!!After i fix the valve covers i guess i will be selling and taking a loss on it.I cant imagine any amount of motor flush getting rid of it.This was a 1 owner car that was supposedly taken great care of.Looks like the oil was changed 3 times its whole life.It runs great and has no check engine lights,misfires,or anything.I would post pics but its just turns my stomach to see it right now.

Don't know if Envirolution is still around, but a run or two will get rid of that sludge. Also, a regime of high detergent diesel motor oil and BG Quick Clean Crankcase Cleaner immediately before a drain (idle only before!) will get rid of a lot of it. Sludge is not a killer if eliminated. Varnish is what kills bearings.

[paranoidjack]

For what it's worth, you don't have to remove the shroud to get the fan out. Upper radiator hose comes off and it can wiggle out past the battery.

[Wiggler]

these are the useless shenanigans around the fan shroud that I just tossed in the trash last week.

[Q451990]

these are the useless shenanigans around the fan shroud that I just tossed in the trash last week.

Yeah... they were probably just air dams that correctly route cool air through your radiator.

[Wiggler]

these are the useless shenanigans around the fan shroud that I just tossed in the trash last week.

Yeah... they were probably just air dams that correctly route cool air through your radiator.

possibly, but doesn't the fan suck air from the radiator and then blow it onto the engine?? Given the amount of hassle it took to get them out, nevermind the hassle of re-installing them, I doubt that it would make a night and day difference in air movement around the radiator at speed, also seeing as there is an almost unnoticeable gap between the main part of the fan shroud and the edge of the radiator... I feel fairly comfortable rolling the dice on this one.