Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[bigdods]

Ok, so yesterday I got my car back from garage having had new cam cover gaskets, full breather clean out and a full service. Running very nicely seems to have a bit more oomph than before (maybe just my imagination).

Went on a long run today and noticed a few things, I've added my thoughts on possible causes any help appreciated !

1. Engine temp rises more quickly than before and settles higher. Used to sit at 85 deg on a motorway run now its at 92. And when stationary in a little traffic it jumped up to 97 ! I've never seen it go above 90 before. Airlock maybe ? coolant level is spot on no leaks.

2. Only one cooling fan comes on (left one facing the front of the car). Is this right ? should they both come on together ? maybe this is related to high running temp in traffic (but not the high temp on the motorway run)? Possible it hasnt been reconnected after the cams covers were done is there a plug I can check ?

3. When the single fan that is working comes on the revs drop alarmingly and I mean down to 200/300, it then catches revs up to 800 then drops back to normal tick over at 600. When the fan cuts out the revs dont move. In traffic the fans constantly cutting in and out making it difficult to crawl along it kind of lurches kangaroo like. I thought maybe the battery connection was loose but checked that and its not been touched still tight. Could it need removing and cleaning anway or could the fan be on the way out and drawing too much current ?

4. I was sure that on the odd occasion I've got home and the engine has been warm (90 deg) the fans have carried on running for a bit after I've turned off the engine. Got home tonight at 97 deg turned off and no fans. Is that right ?

I've checked all of the above with aircon on and off but the behaviour is the same regardless.

Cheers

Dodsy

[dbug]

For V6 normal running temp is 95ºC - 85ºC seems a bit low.  At 97-98ºC fans should come on and cool.  I see 97ºC on hot days in traffic.  This is normal.  Would check fuses for fans though!

[Marks DTM Calib]

Temp sounds spot on.

For the fan, check the fuses in the ECU box are all ok.

Clean the idle valve, sounds like it might be a bit crudded up  

[bigdods]

Well thats a relief ! So looks like probably a fuse for the fan and a good old clean out of the ICV. I think I can manage those jobs   Probably some gunge has found its way into the ICV with the cam gaskets being changed.

Now I am wondering if maybe that other fan has been running constantly hence the low running temps and now its finally given up the ghost. Hmmm possible I guess, will find out when I've had a fiddle.

[Richard A]

If the aircon is on the two aux fans at the front should be running at low speed, as the engine temperture increases the engine fan will start at low speed, if the temperture reaches 98 c degrees it will run at high speed, things should cool down to 95. In the odd case when the temperture goes higher than 98 (this should not happen) all three fans will run at high speed. Without the air con on the engine cooling is down to the engine fan and the drivers side aux fan. Normal temperture is when the temp gauge needle is on the middle mark.
Hope this helps
Regards
Richard a

[Alex Wood]

I've posted this before but on my car when the main cooling fan behind the rad and one of the aircon fans died it was this fuse!

[Tony H]

It's quite normal for the fans to run on after the engine has stopped when the engine is hot   You get a blast of hot air up your trouser legs when you get out of the car!

[ians]

It's quite normal for the fans to run on after the engine has stopped when the engine is hot   You get a blast of hot air up your trouser legs when you get out of the car!

..but only if it is above a certain temp (?) - if it is below the fans do not run on.  

[bigdods]

I've posted this before but on my car when the main cooling fan behind the rad and one of the aircon fans died it was this fuse!

Spot on  

Sure enough that fuse was toasted. Replaced it now everything works. So just to finish this off, this is what I saw/now see.

With that fuse blown the front fans werent coming on at half speed as the engine warmed up. In fact nothing happened until it hit 97 then the o/s fan ran full speed causing the engine revs to dip. I've never had that fan cut in at full speed before hence my surprise at ther rev dip and the kangarooing when driving slowly.

Now the behaviour is - Nothing until ~92 deg then both front fans and the rear fan cut in at low speed. They cut back out at ~85. As its not getting above 92 the high speed doesnt cut it so I dont get the rev drop problem any more.

Happy days !

[psnimv6]

if this a face lift car i thinks 97 is to hot as mine only runs to 90 ish then cools it self down but if the older type dash it might be ok as they  have different dash layout if you no what i mean but 97 is to hot on facelift cars if i am not mistaken

[blob]

how much did you pay for your cam cover change? & did they do both sides?

[bigdods]

how much did you pay for your cam cover change? & did they do both sides?

I had cam covers changed , breathers cleaned and a full service. It was labour only as I supplied all the parts using my TC card. £210 inc VAT.

[Clock]

I've posted this before but on my car when the main cooling fan behind the rad and one of the aircon fans died it was this fuse!