Cooling issues
07-12-2017, 12:03 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: North Wales, PA
Posts: 131
Cooling issues
What's up Org?! I know there are more than a couple cooling/AC threads going on right now, but wanted to shoot out what's been going on with my whip.
Disclaimer: The passenger side radiator fan is rotating slower than the driver side. (maybe half-speed)
Given that I know that one fan is operating below spec, here's my question:
Would that be a big enough issue for the operating temp to inch up?
The op temp needle only creeps up on the hottest days (90+ degrees) and when the AC is on. If I leave the AC off, operating temp remains just below midpoint. But when the AC is on, and it starts to inch up, I turn off, roll the windows down, blow hot air out of the vents and sweat my *** off. Then the temp goes down to normal.
Here is what I find odd
After driving for about 30 mins whether with AC on or not, the outside temp reading increases by about 3-8 degrees.
1. This will happen on local or highway roads.
2. Any ideas why that would do that? Would the slow fan speed cause that kind of symptom as well?
I plan on either replacing the whole assembly or one motor. We'll see what my wallet says tonight when ordering.
Disclaimer: The passenger side radiator fan is rotating slower than the driver side. (maybe half-speed)
Given that I know that one fan is operating below spec, here's my question:
Would that be a big enough issue for the operating temp to inch up?
The op temp needle only creeps up on the hottest days (90+ degrees) and when the AC is on. If I leave the AC off, operating temp remains just below midpoint. But when the AC is on, and it starts to inch up, I turn off, roll the windows down, blow hot air out of the vents and sweat my *** off. Then the temp goes down to normal.
Here is what I find odd
After driving for about 30 mins whether with AC on or not, the outside temp reading increases by about 3-8 degrees.
1. This will happen on local or highway roads.
2. Any ideas why that would do that? Would the slow fan speed cause that kind of symptom as well?
I plan on either replacing the whole assembly or one motor. We'll see what my wallet says tonight when ordering.
07-12-2017, 01:08 PM
#2
Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 240
Yes, replace the entire fan assembly. One fan running inefficiently is definitely enough to obtain the increase in operating temperature that you see. I was told that it's best to replace the entire assembly as it's the most cost / time effective. Rock Auto has the assembly from various manufacturers running anywhere between $75-$100.
07-12-2017, 02:26 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 432
My passenger fan is completely dead, and my temps rise ever so slightly over the 3rd tick on the gauge. I just bought the new motor and will swap it in sometime in the upcoming week. I would not buy an entire fan assembly, just replace the motor.
And regarding the temp increase, is your car parked in a garage? If so, then your garage is colder than outside, and therefore the outside temp will increase a couple of degrees when you get on the road.
And regarding the temp increase, is your car parked in a garage? If so, then your garage is colder than outside, and therefore the outside temp will increase a couple of degrees when you get on the road.
Last edited by SubwayVQ; 07-12-2017 at 04:26 PM.
07-12-2017, 10:54 PM
#5
This is a common issue on these cars and others as well.
Replace the fan motor. No point replacing the assembly unless your wallet is really bulging. Once the assembly is out, replacing the motor is easy. You'll have to disconnect the upper radiator hose. You'll lose a little coolant but not enough to worry about. Don't bother trying to squeeze the assembly past the hose. It wont go.
If it still has issues after that I'd be surprised but it can be figured out from there. No point is doing more diagnostic work with such an obvious issue. The fans are very important this time of year and it needs to be repaired anyway to avoid more serious problems with the AC. Once it dies your AC will stop working and start overheating itself.
The AC condenser gets very hot and sits right by the radiator. The extra heat and loss of airflow is enough to overheat the car. It will kill the AC over time too.
Replace the fan motor. No point replacing the assembly unless your wallet is really bulging. Once the assembly is out, replacing the motor is easy. You'll have to disconnect the upper radiator hose. You'll lose a little coolant but not enough to worry about. Don't bother trying to squeeze the assembly past the hose. It wont go.
If it still has issues after that I'd be surprised but it can be figured out from there. No point is doing more diagnostic work with such an obvious issue. The fans are very important this time of year and it needs to be repaired anyway to avoid more serious problems with the AC. Once it dies your AC will stop working and start overheating itself.
The AC condenser gets very hot and sits right by the radiator. The extra heat and loss of airflow is enough to overheat the car. It will kill the AC over time too.
07-13-2017, 12:12 AM
#6
This is a common issue on these cars and others as well.
Replace the fan motor. No point replacing the assembly unless your wallet is really bulging. Once the assembly is out, replacing the motor is easy. You'll have to disconnect the upper radiator hose. You'll lose a little coolant but not enough to worry about. Don't bother trying to squeeze the assembly past the hose. It wont go.
If it still has issues after that I'd be surprised but it can be figured out from there. No point is doing more diagnostic work with such an obvious issue. The fans are very important this time of year and it needs to be repaired anyway to avoid more serious problems with the AC. Once it dies your AC will stop working and start overheating itself.
The AC condenser gets very hot and sits right by the radiator. The extra heat and loss of airflow is enough to overheat the car. It will kill the AC over time too.
Replace the fan motor. No point replacing the assembly unless your wallet is really bulging. Once the assembly is out, replacing the motor is easy. You'll have to disconnect the upper radiator hose. You'll lose a little coolant but not enough to worry about. Don't bother trying to squeeze the assembly past the hose. It wont go.
If it still has issues after that I'd be surprised but it can be figured out from there. No point is doing more diagnostic work with such an obvious issue. The fans are very important this time of year and it needs to be repaired anyway to avoid more serious problems with the AC. Once it dies your AC will stop working and start overheating itself.
The AC condenser gets very hot and sits right by the radiator. The extra heat and loss of airflow is enough to overheat the car. It will kill the AC over time too.
07-13-2017, 05:41 AM
#8
Might as well replace the assembly. It's cheaper than two motors and both WILL fail. The other usually isn't far behind when one goes (I have two assemblies sitting here with both motors toasted). I looked earlier today and found a decent quality one for 67 shipped.
07-13-2017, 04:52 PM
#9
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: North Wales, PA
Posts: 131
My passenger fan is completely dead, and my temps rise ever so slightly over the 3rd tick on the gauge. I just bought the new motor and will swap it in sometime in the upcoming week. I would not buy an entire fan assembly, just replace the motor.
And regarding the temp increase, is your car parked in a garage? If so, then your garage is colder than outside, and therefore the outside temp will increase a couple of degrees when you get on the road.
And regarding the temp increase, is your car parked in a garage? If so, then your garage is colder than outside, and therefore the outside temp will increase a couple of degrees when you get on the road.