I have what seems to be the opposite of issues related to the clutch fan. It seems to be sticking, meaning it is always "on" in first gear and does not break free so to speak until around 3500 rpms. It sounds like a semi in first gear, the fan is very loud. No cooling problems whatsoever. The average temp is now lower but it does not seem to get to normal operating temp( it sits on or just below the C not a little above it) Some back ground info: I had just tightened my alt belt if that helps. Also car seems to be very hard or slow when turning over(having troubles, sounds like its in the winter cold starting) Battery is fine as well. Any and all help is very appreciated!

 

Did you tension the belt according to the FSM? -> 1988 FSM: Cooling System > Check section 3; page 7 - (3-7)

 

After the car has sat overnight, go out, pop the hood with the engine off, and see if it spins freely. It should spin no less than 1/2 way around and no more than 1 1/2 around with a good push.

Start the car, drive it around/idle it/do whatever it is you do to get it warm and test it again. It should be considerably harder to turn, 1/4 to 1/2 is all it should spin with momentum.

I think I have a spare clutch fan lying around in all my crap. I'll have to look for it this weekend.

 

It seems that he had already properly tested the fan clutch. His issue is that the fan clutch has too much resistance after the engine is warmed to 'operating temperature'... Which in his case is a lower temperature than normal.

 

Yes I tightened it properly and it has the proper deflection. I have tested the clutch fan when it is cold and it only moves about 2-4 inches or so and does the same when it is at "operating temp". Also I will try to get a sound clip of it starting. It turns over very slowly but in catches it starts pretty normal.

 

well, it sounds to me like someone has modified or replaced your fan clutch with a different model.

Your temperature should come up and stay in the middle of the gauge after a short drive, anything else (especially in this circumstance) says bad thermostat or bad gague/sender unit. More-than-likely a "HURR HEAT IZ BAD" previous owner.

Replace the fan clutch, inspect the thermostat to make sure it's a factory mazda replacement/is infact there.

 

Lawl at this ^

And +1 on this. ^ The Mazda OEM thermostat is the only way to go.

 

The previous owner was a "hurr durr" kind of guy. Short cuts and half *** **** everywhere. There was leaking on the water pump to rotor housings and found out it was metal on metal and had to put in some gaskets. We tried to get to the thermostat when we put in the gaskets but it was stuck together with that paste **** and even after we took out the bolts we couldn't pull it apart so I decided to just leave it. This is the first time it has had this issue in two years of owning it. I will pull it apart and check the thermostat and look into a new fan clutch. Any suggestions where to pick one up? (Also the rad is a new koyo)

I read somewhere for my gen and year the temp gauge at operating temp should be just above the "C" not in the middle.

Thank you

Ninja Edit: Can anyone help to explain the hesitant/slow turning over and starting?

 

Turning over slowly can be a bad battery, bad starter or a bad connection between them. Check your terminals for corrosion on the battery and on the stater, buy a battery tester, or take it to the local VATOZONE and have them test it, it could also be the stater, and they should be able to test that there, too, but it can be a bit of a pain in the butt to remove/replace.

It's actually a pretty GOOD symptom... means that you still have compression...

 

That could be allot of things. Keep gatorade on tap and stay focused.

 

I have an 87 NA I don't have any over heating issues, once the engine is warmed up the needle is always in the middle, but my fan doesn't seem to have any resistance when turning it in ether direction when cold. I haven't tried turning it when its warmed up. Could this a problem?

 

If anyone is still interested I ended up removing my starter and taking it apart, cleaning and redoing the connections on it. For the hell of it I re-did all my grounds. My car starts like it's brand new and I eliminated my 3800rpm lag. I am still getting lower then usual operating temps so I'm going to look into a new fan and also look at my thermostat next weekend. Thanks for the help!