Viscous heater bearings?

72commando · **Joined:** Wed Mar 16, 2011 9:47 am **Posts:** 17

I've had some slow coolant loss over the past couple of months, and I was assuming my water pump was going bad (coolant coming from the weep hole on the pump) - I've got the replacement in hand waiting to go in.

However, I started hearing bearing noise a few days ago, and it seems to be located at the very top, or upper left of the engine when facing the rear of the jeep.

Has anyone had the bearings go out on the viscous heater/clutch system? I can't find replacements anywhere - does it have a part number? Am I getting my add-ons mixed up, or could this be the w/p bearings fooling me?

Any help would be great...I've already canceled a move I had planned because I'm afraid this thing is going to blow up on me and kill my engine.

John

warp2diesel · **Posted:** Fri May 20, 2011 7:42 am

Mechanics Stethoscopes (at places like Harbor Freight) are cheap and work.
Also laser guided infrared thermometers are cheap and work.

Listen to the bearings or shoot them with the laser guided thermometer.
The bearings will make noise or get hotter.

The bearings in the viscous heater are most likely standard bearings and the seal is most likely a glass ferrite seal a like what is used in a water pump or AC compressor. I would lean toward the AC compressor.

Sorry, can't give you a part number and if you don't have a parts store where they can look it up with out knowing if your CRD is a Sport or Limited and plugging it into the computer, you will need to look a little harder.
The clutch looks a lot like the AC unit, I would bet it is the same as the AC compressor clutch.
I would not waste any time trying to source Chrysler, they want to sell you a new air cleaner box if a clip fails.
Effing Bean Counters.

Wobbly · **Posted:** Fri May 20, 2011 8:23 am

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=60567

Roostre · **Joined:** Sun Oct 24, 2010 3:57 pm **Posts:** 195

Hmm. looks like this could be a recurring issue... one time I wish mine was an isolated case.

See the link Wobbly posted. I ended up getting a replacement bearing online and have the Jeep back in service now with no coil. Not having much luck finding one, so if you can change the bearing before it damages the coil you will be good for another 80K miles!

DOC4444 · **Posted:** Fri May 20, 2011 8:09 pm

Why not just remove the VH relay and not worry about it (if at all) 'til next winter. If you have a bad thermostat like most of us at this point, your VH is running way too much and losing you at least 2-3 MPG.

DOC

Wobbly · **Posted:** Fri May 20, 2011 8:16 pm

DOC4444 wrote:

Why not just remove the VH relay and not worry about it (if at all) 'til next winter. If you have a bad thermostat like most of us at this point, your VH is running way too much and losing you at least 2-3 MPG.

DOC

Serpentine belt still rotates the viscous heater pulley whether the heater clutch is engaged or not.

DOC4444 · **Posted:** Fri May 20, 2011 10:40 pm

Indeed it does. I took it to mean that his VH heater bearings are noisy. If the VH pulley bearing is noisy, that should not be that big a deal to resolve.

DOC

72commando · **Joined:** Wed Mar 16, 2011 9:47 am **Posts:** 17

Gentlemen, thanks for the replies - this is very helpful. Once the shop is clear I'm going to start the timing belt change, and in the process I'll find the source of this mess!

Viscous heater bearings?

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