Hi All, from Perth Western Australia.

I have been looking for an Aussie site, not found one yet, but came across the "Aussie Surf owners" site (4WD hilux and fourrunner - don't know what you guys would call these?)

The point is that they also have head troubles with them, different engines, but same viscous fan set-up.
My father's petrol Landcruiser also has the same viscous fan set-up, and had it fail while towing - no damage though, he noticed, and petrols seem to be a bit more forgiving.

The common thread here is the viscous fan, as I don't think that the 'hilux surf' engine is even related to ours, other than being from toyota, and the petrol Landcruiser is a 4.0ltr six with absolutely no common heritage.

My THEORY at this stage it that it is generally a fan failure.
It seems to have support on this site, in that people with elec fans don't seem to have the problem.

Solution? Be very wary of the viscous fan, or fit an eleccy.

Should this be the first modification that we make?

- (#7287) Dave, 19 Feb 03

It was the first modification I did to ours, whilst changing the cam belt, just after we got it, it's easier when it's all off to do the belt anyway, well worth doing to my mind. But we still don't have any real scientific evidence of exactly what the problem is, and it's cause & effect, but this all goes to help me think that the leccy fan conversion is a good move. Regards Rob.

- (#7288) Rob Drinkwater, 20 Feb 03

when doing regular checks found fan blades damaged 2 fins with bits broken, is it worth replacing fan blades new or possibly scrapyard job or should i go for electric replacement or both using electric as extra cooling, i have had very expensive cooling probs!!
- (#8139) ron coe, 18 Apr 03 13:59

If the coupling is OK and you can get a fan, it'll be a lot cheaper than a Kenlowe...

Oh, I've a 4x4 fan in the garage if you need it...

- (#8140) david miller, 18 Apr 03 14:29

but your's is a CR21 isn't it, Ron? Scrub that idea then- 2x4 and 4x4 use a different fan...

- (#8141) david miller, 18 Apr 03 14:41

ok if i can source a fan,, any ideas on cost of a new toyota fan and the cost of a kenlowe

- (#8142) ron coe, 18 Apr 03 15:11

A new Kenlowe is about £140. Not sure about an OEM toyota one. secondhand would be OK tho...

- (#8143) david miller, 19 Apr 03 2:26

e-mailed enquiry to kenlowe regarding electric fan for my townie ....got this reply!!
TOYOTA TOWNACE

I regret that the use of an electric fan to replace the viscous unit is not recommended on your vehicle.

This relates to the relative engine/air intake positions.

Regards

John NIxon
Sales Engineer

any comments ?
or if anyone has used a kenlowe kit was it ok and what model was it?


- (#8256) ron coe, 26 Apr 03 15:34

aparently the actual viscose coupling on my fan is ok only a couple of the blades are broken, does anyone have the plastic fan blades?
- (#8307) ron coe, 29 Apr 03 13:09

contacted a breaker in teesside, tells me he has a townace fan blade for £75!!!!!!!!!!! lmbao
- (#8351) ron coe, 3 May 03 15:50