markjs Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 I had to wire my fan to engine on power because the switch burned up. So no big deal right? Well some guy told me my engine is running too cool due to the full time fan?!? Sounds like utter crap to me, but just to be safe is there any truth to it? I think the cooler any engine runs the better for engine life right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KStretch55 Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 Nope. Every engine is designed to run at an optimum temperature range. Too cool or too hot and it doesn't operate as efficiently. Too cool can keep your oil from reaching temp and result in excess moisture being trapped in your crankcase for one thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All_talk Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 Yep, running too cold is not good, lots of possible problems. But, if your thermostat is working correctly the full time fan shouldn't be a problem. Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 doubt the fan could actually cause any significant reduction in engine running termperatures. removing the thermostat would cause significant temperature reductions. even still i suspect the engine would last a long time assuming everything else was working properly even with the thermostat removed (though i do not recommend it and agree it's a very bad idea). just saying the engine wouldn't die immediately. it would be a prolonged state of decay more than impending failure. again - don't do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthWet Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 It should be no worse than driving in moderately cold winter weather. Your thermostat should keep the engine temperature up in its proper temp range. The downside is that your cooling fans will wear out sooner. You might want to consider doing what several other have done: Use the fan's thermoswitch to control a relay. (Without the thermostat, or with a "fashionable" colder than standard t-stat, can/will cause increased cylinder wall washing and oil contamination, along with elevated fuel consumption, reduced power and increased pollution.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karinvail Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 I put a clutch fan on my car a few months back for a short while because I was worried about forgetting to switch the electric one on (it's wired to a switch inside), and it ran *considerably* cooler with the clutch fan, and I never had to use the electric fan at all. It ran too cool to me though (barely above the 'C' mark), so I took it out and just had to learn to remember when to use (or turn off) the electric fan. So, I think that an engine definitely can run too cool with a fan on all the time, even with the thermostat/cooling system working properly..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthWet Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 I put a clutch fan on my car a few months back for a short while because I was worried about forgetting to switch the electric one on (it's wired to a switch inside), and it ran *considerably* cooler with the clutch fan, and I never had to use the electric fan at all. It ran too cool to me though (barely above the 'C' mark), so I took it out and just had to learn to remember when to use (or turn off) the electric fan. So, I think that an engine definitely can run too cool with a fan on all the time, even with the thermostat/cooling system working properly..... If your t-stat is working properly, the only flow to your radiator when the engine temp is below t-stat opening point is through its "jiggler". With no flow through the radiator, you could pack it in dry ice and not effect the engine's temperature. If your car seems to be overcooling, then I would think that either your t-stat is not working properly or your temp guage is reading too low and what you see as "normal" (mid-gauge) might in fact be running hot. I have a car that runs normally at 1/3 on the gauge, ran up to just over half scale on Monday driving over Snoqualmie Pass... (Just thought of another possibility, that the added airflow over the engine block can help remove engine heat. One of the Members commented awhile ago how their nearly plugged radiator worked just fine during the Winter, even driving over Snoqualmie. Lots of radiation surface on the Soob engines.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ausubaru92 Posted July 22, 2005 Share Posted July 22, 2005 it would only make a difference while the car isnt moving. at cruising speeds, there is more air pushed through the radiator than a fan would ever push I think the biggest concern why did it blow the switch, is there a fault? Gannon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All_talk Posted July 22, 2005 Share Posted July 22, 2005 ...Just thought of another possibility, that the added airflow over the engine block can help remove engine heat. One of the Members commented awhile ago how their nearly plugged radiator worked just fine during the Winter, even driving over Snoqualmie... That would be me, the car was my ’87 wagon. I started driving the car to work and back in the fall, on warm days pulling the hills would push it near the red. As winter came I had no cooling issues, then warmer spring days brought back the issues. Upon checking the radiator I found only the top 3 and bottom 2 tubes were warm and the rest was dead cold, plugged solid. I replaced the radiator with a new stock single core (aftermarket) and have had no issues with overheating since. Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthWet Posted July 22, 2005 Share Posted July 22, 2005 That would be me... (I did remember who it was, but didn't feel it was my place to put words in All_talk's mouth. ) ...I think the biggest concern why did it blow the switch, is there a fault? It seems to be pretty common for these switches to die from the years and the high current that they have to switch. The best "cure" that I have heard for this is to use the thermoswitch to activate a separate relay; just keep the relay from getting soaked, eh Scoobywagon??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorganM Posted July 22, 2005 Share Posted July 22, 2005 While he does have a point; you are not going to run 'too cold' from that wussy fan and single row radiator. Smile, nod, and drive on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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