Temperature gauge and fan clutch: I take it all back!
Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2016 5:38 pm
You know how on some Delicas the temperature gauge moves all over the place, and on others it sits at about a quarter all the time? Even if you've replaced the radiator, hoses, head, water pump, thermostat, fixed the electric fan, tested the fan clutch, and flushed the block?
It's the fan clutch. Or, at least, it was on mine.
Yes, I've tested the fan clutch a bunch of times (slight resistance when cold and turned by hand, spins freely when engine running and cold, shreds a rolled up newspaper when the engine is hot), but I've just fitted a new one for the hell of it and the bloody temperature gauge is rock solid on a quarter again, even when going up hills. When towing the caravan up a very long, very steep hill the temperature rose a bit but only got to about 2/3rds, where before it would be nudging the white mark below H.
TL:DR; a viscous fan clutch can be faulty, but still appear ok when tested. Consider replacing it if your cooling system is in good shape but the temperature keeps moving about.
It's the fan clutch. Or, at least, it was on mine.
Yes, I've tested the fan clutch a bunch of times (slight resistance when cold and turned by hand, spins freely when engine running and cold, shreds a rolled up newspaper when the engine is hot), but I've just fitted a new one for the hell of it and the bloody temperature gauge is rock solid on a quarter again, even when going up hills. When towing the caravan up a very long, very steep hill the temperature rose a bit but only got to about 2/3rds, where before it would be nudging the white mark below H.
TL:DR; a viscous fan clutch can be faulty, but still appear ok when tested. Consider replacing it if your cooling system is in good shape but the temperature keeps moving about.