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jnicol Elite Veteran Date registered: May 2008 Location: Cranbrook, B.C. Canada Vehicle(s): 91 300GD, 911 (993), Dodge Durango, Subaru rally Posts: 680 | Viscous fan coupler: testing bi-metal strip After years of suspecting a faulty viscous fan coupler I have decided to remove the mechanical fan and install an electric one. With the mechanical fan sitting on the bench I noticed quite a bit of crud in and around the bi-metal strip on the viscous coupler. 'Hey!', I thought, 'maybe that's my problem'. So I have cleaned out all the crud and would like to 'bench test' it. I have heated it up with a heat gun and see that the strip does expand and lift. But I can't see what this change is impacting - I cannot see what it is moving when it moves. Can anyone tell me how this is supposed to function and how I might be able to 'bench test' it? I might just reinstall if it works, or leave it on the shelf (vertically) if I want to go back to it in the future. Thanks! (Viscous coupler.jpg) Attachments ---------------- Viscous coupler.jpg (346KB - 0 downloads) | ||
#224064 | |||
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AlanMcR Expert Date registered: Apr 2006 Location: US, CA, Los Altos Vehicle(s): G300DT E300DT 230SL Posts: 3500 | RE: Viscous fan coupler: testing bi-metal strip The movement is very slight. I think it bows out, but I can't recall exactly. It pushes on a pin that alters the path of fluid in the clutch. The problem with most older clutches is that the fluid has leaked out. That is why there was a lot of crud on the front. The only way oil gets there is from the clutch itself. There are methods to reintroduce silicone fluid. I doubt they work for long as the leak is still there. | ||
#224068 - in reply to #224064 | |||
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jnicol Elite Veteran Date registered: May 2008 Location: Cranbrook, B.C. Canada Vehicle(s): 91 300GD, 911 (993), Dodge Durango, Subaru rally Posts: 680 | Re: Viscous fan coupler: testing bi-metal strip Yes, it bows out. Under the strip is a green glob that looks like chewed gum pressed in there. Maybe behind/in that is something that moves. That it just affects the direction of fluid makes some sense as there does not appear to be anything large that moves. In the name of science, since this unit is most likely done, I will take it apart and do some research into the function.... | ||
#224080 - in reply to #224064 | |||
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kerry460 Elite Veteran Date registered: Apr 2006 Location: tasmania australia Vehicle(s): 1984 300GD LWB WAGEN Posts: 611 | RE: Viscous fan coupler: testing bi-metal strip G,,day . it moves a small diameter pin , which opes a different path for the silicon to flow . you can replenish the fluid , and it will most likely work perfectly for many more years . to get fluid in , clamp the shaft or flange in a vice . remove strip , take out pin , heat hub with hot air gun , turning hub whilst heating . as hub cools dribble silicon into hole . turning hub while doing it. slow and tedious but it works . how much ??????? trial and error . cheers, kerry | ||
#224084 - in reply to #224064 | |||
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H1LM002G55 Expert Date registered: Mar 2010 Location: S Florida / Geneva / Jeddah Vehicle(s): 500 GE, G55, LM002, H1 Posts: 1796 | Re: Viscous fan coupler: testing bi-metal strip You can have your old Visco Fan repaired. Send it to Jono at AMG East in Atlanta, Georgia Area. www.blueridgemb.com | ||
#224253 - in reply to #224064 | |||
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jnicol Elite Veteran Date registered: May 2008 Location: Cranbrook, B.C. Canada Vehicle(s): 91 300GD, 911 (993), Dodge Durango, Subaru rally Posts: 680 | Re: Viscous fan coupler: testing bi-metal strip I'm now running well with an electric fan in place of the mechanical one. Thanks for the tip on the repair. Will likely do that and keep the part as back up. | ||
#224263 - in reply to #224064 | |||
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H1LM002G55 Expert Date registered: Mar 2010 Location: S Florida / Geneva / Jeddah Vehicle(s): 500 GE, G55, LM002, H1 Posts: 1796 | Re: Viscous fan coupler: testing bi-metal strip That is what I did...I saved my repaired one as a spare. The AMG visco-clutch was about $1,000 USD. Nice having a spare just in case... | ||
#224278 - in reply to #224263 | |||
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