Biggest mistake I've ever made.

[coolride]

Closed the hood this morning, got behind the wheel and turned the key. I then heard the worst noise I've ever heard.

Last night, I left a fan clutch wrench on the nut. And didn't remember it when I shut the hood this morning. Destroyed the fan, put a hole in the side of the battery. Who knows what else is damaged.

I'm picking up the pieces now and trying to clean up battery acid.

 

[TJBaker57]

Closed the hood this morning, got behind the wheel and turned the key. I then heard the worst noise I've ever heard.

Last night, I left a fan clutch wrench on the nut. And didn't realize it when I shut the hood. Destroyed the fan, put a hole in the side of the battery. Who knows what else is damaged.

I'm picking up the pieces now and trying to clean up battery acid.

Re:battery acid cleanup neutralize with baking soda & water solution maybe?

 

[coolride]

One day at a time.

 

[coolride]

Should I buy a new fan and clutch? Or just the fan? (Part numbers (if you have them) are massively appreciated.)

 

[Mooseman]

You'd have to inspect it. Hopefully the water pump shaft didn't get bent.

 

[coolride]

You'd have to inspect it. Hopefully the water pump shaft didn't get bent.

Oddly enough, I ordered a new ACDelco water pump yesterday (the pump was making noise and wobbling around. That's why I was monkeying with it.). Also ordered a new serpentine belt. I'm thinking about the fan and clutch,,, Is now the time to convert to an electric fan?

 

[Traz 2.0]

I thought the general agreement was that E-fans weren't worth it unless you have an SS or a heavy built 5.3

 

[Traz 2.0]

Thermo fan and tune right @Mooseman

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

The unbalanced cooling system on the 4.2 is the issue if you tow, offroad, or use the truck hard. E-fans cant flow 10,000 cfm like the setup needs.

 

[coolride]

The unbalanced cooling system on the 4.2 is the issue if you tow, offroad, or use the truck hard. E-fans cant flow 10,000 cfm like the setup needs.

Point taken. I just ordered the fan.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0016ILZC2/?tag=gmtnation-20

 

[coolride]

The unbalanced cooling system on the 4.2 is the issue if you tow, offroad, or use the truck hard. E-fans cant flow 10,000 cfm like the setup needs.

What does "unbalanced cooling system" mean?

 

[Mooseman]

It has a small radiator so it's overcompensated with a huge mechanically driven fan. Even when not worked hard, efans aren't as good in hot weather with the A/C running.

Thermo clutch is the better setup with a tune.

 

[coolride]

Do I have to buy new bolts for the water pump?

 

[Blckshdw]

Do I have to buy new bolts for the water pump?

Were your existing ones stripped or damaged? If not, you can reuse them.

 

[TJBaker57]

Should I buy a new fan and clutch? Or just the fan? (Part numbers (if you have them) are massively appreciated.)

Was the existing clutch damaged?

 

[coolride]

Were your existing ones stripped or damaged? If not, you can reuse them.

I doubt they were damaged but I thought I read some posts that reffered to them as "torque to yield." Like you could only torque them down once.

Was the existing clutch damaged?

I think that the clutch survived because the fan took the damage. I'll double check though.

 

[coolride]

The clutch looks good. I've been reading a few threads, and there's a difference between an "electro-viscous" clutch and a "thermo" clutch?

The replacement ACDelco is listed for about $225 but the Hayden is $75. I'm guess that the expensive clutch is "Elec-Visc" and the other is a "Thermo."

 

[Blckshdw]

I doubt they were damaged but I thought I read some posts that reffered to them as "torque to yield." Like you could only torque them down once.

The bolts that hold the head to the block are TTY, and can only be used once.

The clutch looks good. I've been reading a few threads, and there's a difference between an "electro-viscous" clutch and a "thermo" clutch?

The EV clutches have an electrical plug, the thermal ones do not. I made the change from EV to thermal a few weeks ago. You have to have someone tune out the P0526 code for the fan clutch circuit, since you'll get a CEL due to no fan being plugged in, if you go that route.

 

[coolride]

I don't see a set of bolts listed at ACDelco parts .com
https://parts-catalog.acdelco.com/catalog/catalog_search.php

 

[Blckshdw]

Why are you looking for bolts? You can reuse the ones you have

 

[coolride]

Why are you looking for bolts? You can reuse the ones you have

I know, but I have a little time. There's already a long list of parts to be delivered and the list will probably grow. How expensive can water pump bolts be...?

I've read a few threads that mentioned broken bolts, and the pump might have to come off again at some point for other projects (timing chain maybe.) The price of new bolts would be cheap insurance for the "peace of mind," knowing they'd be less likely to snap.

 

[Mooseman]

I've reused them countless times and have never had an issue. As long as they are torqued properly, there's nothing to worry about.

 

[coolride]

I've reused them countless times and have never had an issue. As long as they are torqued properly, there's nothing to worry about.

So you torque them but then skip the "then tighten 45 degrees more" part?

I called the Chevy dealer, parts guy said the part number is 11505032.

 

[Blckshdw]

So you torque them but the skip the "then tighten 45 degrees more" part?

Correct. The water pump bolts aren't torque to yield.

 

[Blackwater]

I thought the general agreement was that E-fans weren't worth it unless you have an SS or a heavy built 5.3

E-fans are always the way to go. They are more economical and keep your engine cool even in heavy traffic. It beets sitting in traffic and watching your temp go up and having to put it in neutral and rev the engine to cool it.

 

[Blackwater]

It has a small radiator so it's overcompensated with a huge mechanically driven fan. Even when not worked hard, efans aren't as good in hot weather with the A/C running.

Thermo clutch is the better setup with a tune.

How do you figure? when sitting in traffic your not moving air to cool the evaporator.

 

[coolride]

Ok, I'm going to pass on buying new bolts. Maybe that TTY business for the water pump bolts is from an older model?

(Let's not get sideways on an e-fan discussion. This thread is about me, remember?)

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

----SIDEWAYS----

E-fans are always the way to go. They are more economical and keep your engine cool even in heavy traffic. It beets sitting in traffic and watching your temp go up and having to put it in neutral and rev the engine to cool it.

Bullshit. E-fans are never the way to go for the 4.2. Please do some real research on this. On most engines, yes the e-fans are a great option, but not the 4.2. It has been discussed and proven for years.

How do you figure? when sitting in traffic your not moving air to cool the evaporator.

The efan can not flow enough thru the tiny radiator to keep the engine cool with AC on in traffic in hot weather. The mechanical fan does. Pretty simple.

 

[Blackwater]

----SIDEWAYS----View attachment 91093


Bullshit. E-fans are never the way to go for the 4.2. Please do some real research on this. On most engines, yes the e-fans are a great option, but not the 4.2. It has been discussed and proven for years.



The efan can not flow enough thru the tiny radiator to keep the engine cool with AC on in traffic in hot weather. The mechanical fan does. Pretty simple.

No research needed, done it many times. This last time I did upgrade on the radiator in preparation for the Vortec Max 6.4 L 392cid engine. 6,000 CFM.

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

YOU ARE MISSING THE POINT.

The 4.2 is different than whatever else...your 6.4 or whatever has ZERO bearing on the Efans failure with the 4.2 cooling system.

 

[Blackwater]

YOU ARE MISSING THE POINT.

The 4.2 is different than whatever else...your 6.4 or whatever has ZERO bearing on the Efans failure with the 4.2 cooling system.

It shouldn't matter, If your having problems with the cooling system, you should first make sure the fins are not plugged or folded. Then make sure the system is not clogged and the thermostat is functioning properly. Flush the system. Check the clutch. Then start upgrading.
So tell me why do they fail at cooling a 4.2?

But I think the OP has few more issues.

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

Please do the research on the 4.2 cooling system. A perfectly new functioning one with efans will overheat for the exact reasons posted before your ignorant chiming in. You clearly do not know the 4.2 cooling system and efan situation yet will not educate yourself to contribute something worthwhile.

 

[Mooseman]

How do you figure? when sitting in traffic your not moving air to cool the evaporator.

Been there, tried the efans Kool aid, sucked miserably. Went back to a thermo clutch fan and never looked back. It would probably work with a better radiator but the A/C would still be mediocre when not moving.

 

[Traz 2.0]

E-fans are always the way to go. They are more economical and keep your engine cool even in heavy traffic. It beets sitting in traffic and watching your temp go up and having to put it in neutral and rev the engine to cool it.

Ive never had mine overheat in traffic before? are you sure yours is running good? E-fans just aren't worth it. they cant move the volume of air the big stock one can

my turbo build has been in progress for quit some time with the help of coworkers and tech from Roush, weve tried a number of E-fans for the set up to save space and they just cant move the same amount of air

Ok, I'm going to pass on buying new bolts. Maybe that TTY business for the water pump bolts is from an older model?

(Let's not get sideways on an e-fan discussion. This thread is about me, remember?)

Lol true, ive replaced mine and a friends water pump and have used the same bolts, just cleaned them up and made sure they weren't in bad shape. I think youll be fine, just give them a good look over

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

Been there, tried the efans Kool aid, sucked miserably. Went back to a thermo clutch fan and never looked back. It would probably work with a better radiator but the A/C would still be mediocre when not moving.

FYI--One of the admins over on ORTB did the efans and the bigger radiator. However he is swapping back to the thermo setup due to still not really working out to cool as well.

 

[coolride]

The tear down and cleanup ended, and now starting to install new parts. First part was that driver's side transmission line. Also, the pulleys were tidied up with a tooth brush and brake cleaner (carefully.)

This surfaced cleaned up ok with Brake cleaner and paper towels. Then I decided to try 1500 grit sandpaper soaked with WD40. The idea came over me,,,It's probably not necessary, and it might cause a sealing issue (time will tell.)

 

[coolride]

I guess it's repaired. New serpentine belt, idler pulley, water pump, battery, fan, transmission oil line and Dexcool. Runs real smooth.

 

[Blckshdw]

I'm sure you're glad to have that misadventure behind you

 

[coolride]

New rule in my garage. Never set down a tool inside the engine compartment.

 

[coolride]

Here's the wrench.