Cooling fan

[Fez887]

So went for a spin Sunday and on arrival at destination had water and steam coming out of header tank. Been having a few issues with cooling fan where it didn’t spin freely. Thought I had managed to resolve this Issue with a dose of WD40, but wasn’t totally confident it would solve the issue. So Sunday seem to prove the fan isn’t functioning and on not a particularly warm day worryingly! Did sit in a bit of traffic though...

Have decided to buy a new fan from TVR parts supplier and hopefully fit myself. However just 2 check questions before I do :-

- any arguements that I am correct in my fan diagnosis?

- does the bonnet need to come off to replace the fan? Seems like a fairly simple swap out from what I can see i.e cable disconnect and removal of 3-4 hexagonal bolts?

[phillpot]

If you can jack the front of the car up, decent trolley jack and stands or ramps, there's enough access from below.

Fan should only be required in stationary or very slow traffic, is that when things started to heat up?

Might have a second hand one if you want, rather than blow £120?

[Fez887]

Yes did sit in some traffic but no more than it has before and in hotter weather with no issues. I do think the fan still has a tendency to jam. Previous to my hit with WD it didn’t spin freely when you rotated manually.

After the car cooled down, the swirl pot was low on water which I topped up and then it was OK on the return journey.

Absolutely interested in your spare fan, assuming in full working order?

[phillpot]

Fez887 said:

Absolutely interested in your spare fan, assuming in full working order?

Connected it to 12volt, runs nice and quiet.



Back cover could do with a bit of wire brushing and a touch of paint, £40 + postage if you're interested

[tvrgit]

Hold the bus!

OP have you checked your fan with a direct earth and 12V feed? Are you sure that the fan isn't working, and that it isn't just a duff connector? If you look at Phillpot's photo you'll see the standard white Ford connector - well, on the car, that's right under the centre of the radiator at the chassis rail, and it gets covered in muck and water. Take it apart and test the fan directly as above - if it does come on, then you have a fault in the connector, or in the "otter switch" on the top radiator hose, or in the wiring - putting a new fan on will make no difference.

Diagnose and rectify - don't just chuck parts at the car until the problem goes away!

[phillpot]

tvrgit said:

Hold the bus! ..................

All good advice but bearing (no pun intended ) in mind ......

Fez887 said:

Been having a few issues with cooling fan where it didn’t spin freely. Thought I had managed to resolve this Issue with a dose of WD40,

Either way, here if you want or need it

[v8s4me]

tvrgit said:

....Diagnose and rectify - don't just chuck parts at the car until the problem goes away!

I thought that was the industry approved method used by most "specialists"?

Edited by v8s4me on Wednesday 14th October 11:56

[Fez887]

thanks for feedback - will give the connector/other items a check over. Given the fan was freezing/sticking I had jumped to the conclusion it was probably knackered!

Philipot - will get back to you on fan if required. Thanks

PS - any advice on what to do with all the other bits I have chucked at the car without proper diagnosis??

[tvrgit]

v8s4me said:

tvrgit said:

....Diagnose and rectify - don't just chuck parts at the car until the problem goes away!

I thought that was the industry approved method used by most "specialists"?

Unfortunately, all too often true of many garages!

Edited by tvrgit on Wednesday 14th October 16:26

[Penelope Stopit]

First things first

Remove motor, dismantle, check windings aren't burnt (smell it, will stink to high heaven if burnt), lubricate bearings/bushes if no play in them (scrap if play in them), rebuild, test and refit if all is good