VISCOUS HEATER
DESCRIPTION
DESCRIPTION
The diesel engine has an engine mounted mechan-
ical device called a Viscous Heater that is used to
heat the coolant coming from the engine to the
heater core. The Viscous Heater is driven by the
engine fan belt and has a electro-mechanical clutch
which is controlled by the HVAC control unit.
DESCRIPTION - VISCOUS HEATER CLUTCH
The basic viscous heater clutch assembly consists
of a stationary electromagnetic coil, a hub bearing
and pulley assembly and a clutch plate. The electro-
magnetic coil unit and the hub bearing and pulley
assembly are each retained on the nose of the com-
pressor front housing with snap rings (Fig. 17). The
clutch plate is keyed to the viscous heater shaft and
secured with a nut. These components provide the
means to engage and disengage the viscous heater
from the engine accessory drive belt.
OPERATION
OPERATION - VISCOUS HEATER
The Viscous Heater is driven by the engine fan
belt. The Viscous Heater has an electro-mechanical
clutch that receives a signal from the HVAC control
head and the Viscous Heater controller that ener-
gizes and engages the clutch. Once engaged theclutch allows the Viscous Heater to increase the tem-
perature of the coolant flowing to the heater core,
which provides heat the passenger compartment
quicker than normal engines without the Viscous
Heater. The Viscous Heater generates heat by means
of friction which heats a special Silicon Oil within its
housing which is then transferred to the engine cool-
ant when the coolant passes over fins within the
pump. Please note that the coolant is isolated from
the silicon oil within the pump housing. When
demand for passenger compartment heat decreases
the Viscous Heater clutch will receive an input from
the Viscous heater controller to disengage.
OPERATION - VISCOUS HEATER CLUTCH
When the clutch coil is energized, it magnetically
draws the clutch into contact with the pulley and
drives the viscous heater shaft. When the coil is not
energized the pulley freewheels on the clutch hub
bearing, which is part of the pulley. The viscous
heater clutch and coil are the only serviced parts on
the viscous heater assembly. If the viscous heater is
inoperative or damaged the entire assembly must be
replaced. The viscous heater clutch engagement is
controlled by several components: the viscous heater
controller, the engine powertrain control module and
the HVAC control head.
REMOVAL
REMOVAL - VISCOUS HEATER
(1) Drain the engine coolant(Refer to 7 - COOL-
ING/ENGINE - STANDARD PROCEDURE).
(2) Remove the engine accessory drive belt(Refer to
7 - COOLING/ACCESSORY DRIVE/DRIVE BELTS -
REMOVAL).
(3) Remove the heater hose clamps at the Viscous
Heater.
(4) Remove the heater hoses from the Viscous
Heater.
(5) Unplug the Viscous Heater clutch electrical
connector.
(6) Remove the bolts holding the Viscous Heater to
the mounting bracket.
(7) Remove the Viscous Heater from the vehicle.
REMOVAL - VISCOUS HEATER CLUTCH
(1) The viscous heater clutch can be serviced in
the vehicle and the cooling system does not have to
be drained.
(2) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(3) Remove the serpentine drive belt(Refer to 7 -
COOLING/ACCESSORY DRIVE/DRIVE BELTS -
REMOVAL).
Fig. 17 CLUTCH ASSEMBLY- typical
1 - CLUTCH PLATE
2 - SHAFT KEY
3 - PULLEY
4 - COIL
5 - CLUTCH SHIMS
6 - SNAP RING
7 - SNAP RING
24 - 76 PLUMBINGWJ
