HELP!!!! My FAN fell off!!!

[jakehorror]

97 Sidekick Sport JLX 4 dr. 4X4 1.8L

Last night the check engine light started flashing and the car got all jerky, luckily I was by an Auto Zone. They read the code and it said CYL 3 MISFIRE. Got it home to put in new spark plugs and noticed the cooling fan had fell off and was trapped in the radiator shroud. The car had been making a "chirp" or "squeek" for a few weeks prior but I thought it was just a squeekiy belt. The overheat light never came on and the temp never went above the halfway point. I ordered a new FAN CLUTCH and I pick it up tomorrow (saturday)
DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT SPECIAL TOOLS I WILL NEED TO PUT THIS BACK ON TO THE ENGINE???
Also, I really hope that that #3 Cylinder misfire is not burned out piston/rings due to the cooling system not working properly, but like I said the temp gage never went above half and the engine felt normally hot (didnt help it was 96 degrees here yesterday)
Any info ASAP would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[lord_galathon]

Nothing special but you might need to remove the plastic radiator guard or at least push it in to get some "elbow room".

From memory the clutch is held on by regular crosshead screws, someone correct me ...

For your cylinder 3 misfire is usually not related to compression problems like piston or rings, it's purely electrical.

Did the new spark plugs fix your CEL?

[jakehorror]

Well, after I seen the fan was off I didn't bother with the plugs. I want to just fix it all at the same time.
The shaft that comes out of the engine does not have any threads and that leaves me to believe that it's probably some wierd fastener that holds it on.
I dont know how the car didn't overheat! It was 96+ degrees with 95% humidity. I was using the A/C but then the "jerky" thing started and I turned it off thinking the A/C was the problem.
Now, when I opened the hood I did smell a very faint oil smell, but seen no leaks. It was very very faint so I think it may because it was so hot out. Who knows.
Well, I got a deal on the FAN CLUTCH for $50. brand new w/ warranty. I work at a A/C factory making RV units so that helps, but I cant drive the car here for the techs to see. After I seen that blade off I didn't start the car again. Any other info is always helpful. Thanks for the advice!

[lord_galathon]

Best way not to overheat is to drop your soft top and crank up the heater, it will dissipate some heat from your rad.

Keep an eye on your air outlet fins (the plastic ones in the truck) make sure they don't melt.

Also from the looks of the fastener it might be held on to the shaft by four screws, check the shaft for holes, divots or markings.

GOOD LUCK!

[jakehorror]

Hey thanks galathon! But, my Sidekick dont have a soft top, it's a 4 door JLX Sport
Have considered chopping the top off though and tricking it out, but too much time & money. Imagine a 4 dr. sidekick w/ only the windshield!

I have to wait til tomorrow to work on it thats why I posted this hoping for help BEFORE I start.
My main question is do i need special tools to install the new Fan Clutch??????????

[lord_galathon]

I never replaced one but I think just STD shop tools should do the trick.

Too bad about your top.

I'm not just a fan, I've become a devotee of softtop Zukis.

(pardon the fan pun...)

[jakehorror]

Originally Posted by lord_galathon

I never replaced one but I think just STD shop tools should do the trick.

Too bad about your top.

I'm not just a fan, I've become a devotee of softtop Zukis.

(pardon the fan pun...)

LOL! I had a 92 Tracker soft top but I hated that it had no rear cargo space and was noisy on the freeway. Other than that I did like it though. Should have took the Fan Clutch off it before I sold it

[jakehorror]

Well the dumb asses at the auto parts store didnt order my part, they acted as if I were a ghost and never even heard of such a part. Idiots.
So I went to the junk yard and there it shined, like a shiny diamond, a 97 sidekick just like mine and it had the fan still!!! I just unbolted the entire assembly and the dude only charged me $10.!!! Now my #3 cydinder is misfiring, will I hurt the engine to drive it on 3 cylinders for a week til my mechanic gets back in town????????????????

[lord_galathon]

Originally Posted by jakehorror

... Now my #3 cydinder is misfiring, will I hurt the engine to drive it on 3 cylinders for a week til my mechanic gets back in town????????????????

Well, yeah... You'll damage your PCV valve and exhaust system on the long run. It's fine to limp home but don't drive it more than say 20-30kms or you'll have to clean your exhaust internals and valves!

Have you tried replacing the spark plug and checking your cabling and timing rotor? Might be simple oxydization on a contact or a bad spark plug.

[jakehorror]

Originally Posted by lord_galathon

Well, yeah... You'll damage your PCV valve and exhaust system on the long run. It's fine to limp home but don't drive it more than say 20-30kms or you'll have to clean your exhaust internals and valves!

Have you tried replacing the spark plug and checking your cabling and timing rotor? Might be simple oxydization on a contact or a bad spark plug.

I replaced all 4 plugs. Still #3 no fire. I even switched one of the electronic plug head things that go over the plug to see if it was that, but still # 3 is dead. The new plug I put in #3 still looks brand new, its not firing at all. I have no choice but to drive the car, or lose my job.

I have only had this car 2 months and it's a lemon. Nothing but problems and it only has 95,000 miles. I have a bad feeling it's something serious and I'm NOT gonna dump a bunch of money into it. Kinda sucks I have 10 more payments and can't even drive the piece of crap. Sorry, but I fI ever get another Suzuki it will have to be a new one with a good warranty.