Our 'new' fan clutch just gave up the ghost. They (DC) are selling
really crappie parts these days. Ours is only about 4 years old.

To test the fan clutch, heat up the engine fully and have someone shut
it down while you watch the fan. A working clutch will stop the fan
almost instantly. If it keeps spinning, replace. Or shove a screw in
the SOB to make it a fixed fan like I think I am gong to do. If their
crappie parts only last 3 or 4 years, screw them.

I would get a cheap hydrometer to check the antifreeze. Playing a
guessing game with it is a sure way to destroy the engine. Too thick
will overheat, 50/50 is best for all round use.

'I' sure wouldn't swap oil types unless mine turned into an oil burner.
We have over 300K on ours and 10W30 still only uses a liter between
changes.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

Endo wrote:
>
> The fan clutch sounds probable, and I will probably flush it too just to be
> safe but the antifreeze in it is only about a year old and still nice and
> green. Maybe it's too strong a mixture and I need more water.I will get a
> bottle of the Redline Water Wetter too just to help out.
>
> I will consider a heavier weight oil also, i'm due for a change now anyway.
> Too bad Wally-World only carries Valvoline full synthetic in 10w30 so i'm
> going to have to go to a 'real' parts store like Auto Zone. (sic)
>
> Shawn
>
> "L.W. ("ßill") Hughes III" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Hi Endo,
> > I'd flush your system like you've doing every two years to avoid
> > the electrolysis that'll eat the head gasket, water pump seal, and core
> > plugs. And go ahead and replace the fan clutch.
> > The oil temperature lags behind the water, but eventually catches
> > up, if you had checked it you would have seen it with the constancy of
> > water, with about the same lubricating qualities. If your going to get
> > caught in traffic jams, then switch to 20/40, or 20/50 like I use at
> > three hundred thousand miles. Remember pickups with the trailer package
> > also have oil coolers.
> > God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
> > http://www.billhughes.com/
> >
> > Endo wrote:
> >>
> >> I was idling in traffic on the 4th waiting to get into parking at the new
> >> Heinz Field in Pittsburgh for fireworks and all of a sudden my temp
> >> jumped
> >> up to just below the red and the 'check gauges' light came on. I did a
> >> quick u=turn and got into a non-congested lane and got moving to get some
> >> air flowing and it calmed down to a little over 210, but just a hair
> >> higher
> >> than usual. I was running the a/c on max since i had the top on still.
> >> Shortly after it cooled back down to a more reasonable level I noticed
> >> another strange problem....when I came to a stop the oil pressure would
> >> dive
> >> down to zero and the light would come on again. Once it cooled down for
> >> good after parking for awhile this went away too. It's done it a few
> >> more
> >> times since and it's usually during slow driving with the a/c on. The
> >> oil
> >> level seems fine and it's Valvoline full synthetic 10w30. Coolant is
> >> topped
> >> off and is a nice green color, not nasty stuff.
> >>
> >> Any theories for this happening?
> >>
> >> Shawn