Hello, I have a 2001 Toyota Land Cruiser and I have have a problem with it for a while. It has 110,000 Miles on it and the problem started when I took the car with 105,000 miles to a mechanic I knew to replace the timing belt, water pump, radiator, all 8 spark plugs, and fan clutch. Everything seemed fine until I took it for a test drive and I felt the car was much slower at accelerating and it made a loud fan noise. I took the car back to him and he said it is normal and he cant help me with it. And after 2 years it's the same. I don't drive this car too much like before because of newer cars that I have with Factory warranty.
Problem is: Loud fan noise when accelerating, slow at accelerating, lower than normal MPG. Everything else is operating normal. this started when I took the car to a mechanic
Thank you.
Does this only happen when taking off from a cold start, or does it persist? Fan clutches have fluid inside them that needs to warm up. Until it does, the fan will be on and you will feel some power loss.
All the time, and I let my car warm up first then I start to drive.
ok there might be a problem with the clutch or clutch wiring
ok so you think it may be the fan clutch, I will check that.
If it is actually a timing belt, it sounds like it's off by one tooth. As soon as I test drove it, I would have taken it back and gotten it fixed, or my money back.
Would a timing belt really do this?
If you don’t want to buy a compression testing kit yourself, the forum’s FAQ has a list of recommended mechanics in Houston -
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/mechanics/
The Problem was solved🥳. It was the fan clutch. The fan clutch the mechanic put in was an aftermarket fan clutch, so I put on an OEM and it drives and sounds just as it should. Thank you all!
The timing belt keeps the cams properly oriented to the compression and exhaust cycles and if they're off by just a little bit, you won't get the compression (power) you are supposed to have. It may not be off by enough to cause interference. I would at least get a compression check to see if it is within specs.
Ok where can I get a compression test here in Houston, I live in Humble Tx
check the FAQ for mechanics
Any half way competent mechanic can pull the plugs and do a compression test. Last time I was in Houston was in 1976 so I can't help you finding a mechanic. The fan clutch on that vehicle is thermally operated. When it warms up, it disengages and relies on the speed of the vehicle to keep it cool. Which is why vehicles with that type of fan clutch run hot when idling. The fan isn't engaged. This setup is supposed to save on power. If you're getting a loud fan noise, the fan clutch is probable locked up and needs replacement, Autozone - Duralast 922678 - $59.99. Installation isn't too hard once you get the shroud out of the way.
Ok thanks, but won't oem fan clutch from toyota be better?
It doesn't matter. The one from Autozone has a limited, lifetime warranty. If you want the same thing at twice the price, go for it.
Is a flex fan an option in this situation? The way they work is when the engine is turning slowly, as in idling, the fan blades are pitched at their maximum angle to move the most air. When the engine RPM is at cruising speed, the fan blades flatten out and move less air requiring less power, but the truck going 70mph will push a substantial amount air through the radiator anyway.
