Would a bad fan clutch cause it to run hotter at idle??

[bigdog76]

I cleaned my condenser 3 weeks ago. the air is runnin cooler but my car is also running hotter at idle. How do I know if the fan clutch is bad.

1996 Infinity Q45

[Q45tech]

I would think after 13 years the rad is ready for replacement in any event if you expect as brand new performance............bent and corroded fins, failure of the rubber surround and internal passage restrictions.

Same with viscous fan 13 years is a long time."TESTINGIf the fan assembly free-wheels without drag (the fan blades will revolve more than five turns when spun by hand), replace the fan drive. This spin test must be performed when the engine cool. For the following test, the cooling system must be in good condition. It also will ensure against excessively high coolant temperature.

WARNING: Be Sure That There Is Adequate Fan Blade Clearance Before Drilling.

Drill a 3.18 mm (1/8 - inch) diameter hole in the top center of the fan shroud. Obtain a dial thermometer with an 8 inch stem (or equivalent). It should have a range of 18° to 105°C (0° to 220°F). Insert thermometer through the hole in the shroud. Be sure that there is adequate clearance from the fan blades. Connect a tachometer and an engine ignition timing light (timing light is to be used as a strobe light). Block the air flow through the radiator. Secure a sheet of plastic in front of the radiator (or air conditioner condenser). Use tape at the top to secure the plastic and be sure that the air flow is blocked. Be sure that the air conditioner (if equipped) is turned off. WARNING: Use Extreme Caution When The Engine Is Operating. Do Not Stand In A Direct Line With The Fan. Do Not Put Your Hands Near The Pulleys, Belts Or Fan. Do Not Wear Loose Clothing. Start the engine and operate at 2400 rpm. Within ten minutes the air temperature (indicated on the dial thermometer) should be up to 88° C (190° F). Fan drive engagement should have started to occur at between 74° to 82° C (165° to 180° F). Engagement is distinguishable by a definite increase in fan flow noise (roaring). The timing light also will indicate an increase in the speed of the fan. When the air temperature reaches 88° C (190° F), remove the plastic sheet. Fan drive disengagement should have started to occur at between 57° to 79° C (135° to 175° F). A definite decrease of fan flow noise (roaring) should be noticed. If not, replace the defective viscous fan drive unit. "

[qship96]

I can hear when the fan clutch is locked while sitting in drivers seat. After some highway driving in warm/hot weather and engine is warmed up, pull into a parking spot and rev the engine while in park and note the sound.....then remain parked for 5-10 minutes with motor still idleing and rev the engine, you should hear quite a different sound, as the fan clutch will be locked and the noise will be louder and have a distinct sound {ROAR} that is caused by the masive increase of air movement due to the clutch locking the fan and its increased rpms.

On the other hand, the clutch can also fail in the locked mode,creating the loud roaring sound of air movement even when driving in cool/cold/dead of winter- which is how mine failed in January/Feb. of 2005 simple, easy to replace, also replace fan blade if it shows stress cracks, took me less than 30 minutes to swap out.

[bigdog76]

Radiator was replaced over a year ago.

So if the fan clutch spins around more than 5 times with no drag it is bad?

Really? Could this be causing the hotter a/c at idle?

Easy to install?

[Q451990]

but my car is also running hotter at idle

Could this be causing the hotter a/c at idle?

I'm not sure what you're asking in this thread... are you saying the car itself is running hotter... as in engine temp? Or are you saying that your a/c is not cooling as well at idle.

In either case the engine will run warmer and the a/c will run warmer at idle than at cruise. It's really kind of interesting to watch the engine temperature with Consult as everything heats up sitting in a drive thru line... then cool off a you pull out onto the open road, burger in hand.

If you're talking about a/c feeling warmer at idle, it shouldn't be really noticeable by feel. If it is, I suspect a low refrigerant charge or some other a/c specific issue...

Heath

[Q45tech]

Technical experts and scientists demand actual accurate precise measurements of things like temperature, flow, and pressure.

Liberal Arts Majors seem satisfied with comparative measures like hotter or colder.

Few vehicle owners bother to spent time on the 2 week course on "how to describe a problem to a mechanic or technican"

[bullittandy]

Technical experts and scientists demand actual accurate precise measurements of things like temperature, flow, and pressure.

Liberal Arts Majors seem satisfied with comparative measures like hotter or colder.

Few vehicle owners bother to spent time on the 2 week course on "how to describe a problem to a mechanic or technican"

Either you've got a very dry sense of humor or you're insane.

[NightRiderQ45]

Either you've got a very dry sense of humor or you're insane.

Exactly!!! As of late, I'm been getting more help from other members than the "Infiniti Guru". He will find a way to try to make you feel dumb, but actually it back fires....

[maxnix]

No, it's simply good quantifiable data means something precise as opposed to something subjective which varies by the observer's description.

Do you think engineers specify measurements and material properties with narratives? Do you think technicians specify operating parameters with metaphors?

Would you prefer "Your timing needs to be a little before TDC at not too high an rpm." or "Your timing needs to be 15° BTDC @ 650 RPM." ?

Precision requires valid data which means the same thing to all regardless of language or feelings.

[NightRiderQ45]

Do you think engineers specify measurements and material properties with narratives? Do you think technicians specify operating parameters with metaphors?

That is completely true. I'm a Electrical Project Engineer and we definitely have to be precise with measurements. All I was saying was as of late, I've been reading a lot of Tech's replies on certain posts including my idler pulley post and I've seen nothing but negative replies or receive an reply that has didn't really answer the OP question. Remember, I said "as of late"...

[Q45tech]

Remember I'm not a automotive technican. I am also a BSEE/MS with MBA and we agreed long ago that this site would be at A MASTER DEGREE LEVEL, not some Q45 for Dummies site. Many members are not doing their part, not spending time on their homework or vehicular research in their home lab.

Liberal arts majors and scientists/engineers/technicans are like cats and dogs [those that hate each other with a passion] in the same cage.

Why you find few technologists on any Auto Forum, they get tired of throwing up after reading posts.

Why smart technicans have an intermediary between them and paying customer.

Luckily members can just skip my comments if they find them offensive, isn't the Net wonderful.

[maxnix]

Wonder if we can rename the VIP Forum to Q45 fer Dummmys?

[NightRiderQ45]

Remember I'm not a automotive technican. I am also a BSEE/MS with MBA and we agreed long ago that this site would be at A MASTER DEGREE LEVEL, not some Q45 for Dummies site. Many members are not doing their part, not spending time on their homework or vehicular research in their home lab.

Wow!! I have a new found respect for your knowledge fella! Where did you receive your degrees from? You are telling the truth though; sometimes members post very vague questions.

Wonder if we can rename the VIP Forum to Q45 fer Dummmys?

LOL! You might get flammed for this...

[bullittandy]

No, it's simply good quantifiable data means something precise as opposed to something subjective which varies by the observer's description.

Do you think engineers specify measurements and material properties with narratives? Do you think technicians specify operating parameters with metaphors?

Would you prefer "Your timing needs to be a little before TDC at not too high an rpm." or "Your timing needs to be 15° BTDC @ 650 RPM." ?

Precision requires valid data which means the same thing to all regardless of language or feelings.

You're talking to an engineer (KnightRider) and a social scientist (me). We all know about "data."

You need to face the fact that Tech is getting senile due to old age and it won't be long until he's screaming at us about socialism and its relationship to bearing tolerances.

[qship96]

Unfortunatly, the masters degree level of information available here is lost on the new wave of q45 owners, which now tend to be high school/ college age kids{their very first car sometimes} due to the age and market price of the Q as it becomes a cheap old car.....wont be long til you see the pizza delivery boys wheeling around in one.

No wonder the Infiniti dealer personnel cringe when they see a old q45 pull up on the lot, they know it will be some youngin with no cash to authorize the work it needs, or worse yet, some wannabe gangsta with his pants falling down creeping out the wealthy new car customers in the showroom and waiting lounge

[bullittandy]

Unfortunatly, the masters degree level of information available here is lost on the new wave of q45 owners, which now tend to be high school/ college age kids{their very first car sometimes} due to the age and market price of the Q as it becomes a cheap old car.....

You're right about this and what's required is a new way of communicating to these people. Calling them names and pointing out their stupidity and ignorance is a great way to ensure that they DONT listen.

Me? I like people to listen to what I have to say-thats why I'm so nice and pleasant and sweet.

[captainluigi]

Andy, ya make me laugh. Thanks.