Rad Fan Screwed?

[raziel2710]

Hello all. First time Ford owner here so be gentle :)

 

My problem is I have yet to see the radiator fan running. I'm worried about this because I had a problem like this last year in another car and I ended up with a head gasket failure and with four kids I really can't afford this happen again. The engine temp gauge on the binnacle never goes over half way when I'm driving but does creep up if I'm standing in traffic and drops again when moving. However I tested it in my drive a couple of days ago(left it on run on idle for a while) and the needle went (slowly) up to just below red line before I chickened out and switched off the engine. The fan never kicked in. Is there any way to check the fan without removing it from the engine bay? I had to remove the fan assembly on my Espace last year and it was a nightmare. Rather not have to do it again. I'm hoping it's just the sensor on the thermostat housing (I think this is the one that controls the fan?) ot the thermostat itself as this would be a cheap and easy fix. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

I should add that after some Google searching I found some say their fan doesn't kick in until the needle goes way up to the red. But with summer coming I don't want to be stuck in traffic worrying about the fan not kicking in!

 

Also, I'm no mechanic but I have no problems at all getting stuck into something. In fact I love it :)

 

Dave

[zorgman]

welcome.

right then what engine you asking about.

my tdi's fan has never kicked in once in the 4 years ive had car.

what you need to do is short out the sensor for the fans its on the top hose or radiator

[raziel2710]

Oh God. Can't believe I forgot the engine type. Sorry about that. I have the 2.0lt engine and it's a 1998 MKI Galaxy. How would I go about shorting the sensor? I've never done it before. I've read that if you plug out the sensor on some cars the fan will kick in after a few minutes and run constantly. I did try this but the fan didn't run. Maybe I didn't leave the senor off long enough?

 

Tthanks for the quick reply by the way. I posted this on other forums a few days ago before I found this place and still no responses :)

 

my tdi's fan has never kicked in once in the 4 years ive had car.

 

This doesn't bother you? I'd sh*t myself!!

[zorgman]

on the sensor plug theres 2 wires just short them together that will make the fan run, tdi engines run cold so not worried about it plus i know sensor and fans are ok, if yours has aircon switching it on will switch fan on

[raziel2710]

Ah ok - Mine does have air con. I'll try that. If nothing happens I'll try the shrt. I'll get back to ya. Thanks again.

[raziel2710]

Zorg mate, you're a star. I shorted the sensor connetion with a bit of wire, turned the ignition and the fan jumped right into life. So lookes like a new sensor for me then. may as well put a new thermostat in while i'm at it.

 

I'll post back when I get the sensor. Probaly have to order it in as here in Ireland nobody EVER has what you need in stock :)

 

Thanks again man. Much appreciated.

 

Oh, I also tried putting the air con on full but the fan didn't kick in. However I only left it run for a minute or two at most. Maybe it needs to run longer?. Once I get the fan working to cool the engine I won't care if there's a problem with the air con or not :)

[zorgman]

you need to turn temp to cold, its a good tip to sw fan on if your ever think engines hot. glad its sorted for you

[raziel2710]

Yeah I had it turned to cold. As I say, I don't really care about the air con. I have twin sun roofs so they'll do heehee. We'll see what's what tomorrow. I got the sensor in an auto factors for €28. Ford wanted €56.50 so I said ... well, you can imagine what I said. I'll fit it tomorrow (got dark real quick over here) and let you know. Thanks again. Edited February 15, 2012 by raziel2710

[raziel2710]

Update: I put in the new sensor and drained the system to top up with new coolant. Guess what I found? Oil in the coolant that I took out. I brought it back to the garage I bought it from with the fear of the dreaded head gasget failure. I left it with him and he said he'll get it sorted. It's under warrenty so that's good. I was passing my own mechanic on the way home so I decided to call into him and see what he has to say about it. He said it sounds more like the oil pressure pump failed. Could it be the pump? I'd rather that than the head gasket. Thanks in advance.

[raziel2710]

I should have said it's oil in the coolant and no coolant in the oil.

 

I'm still thinking head gasket myself ....

[zorgman]

his good mechanic, how the hell does oil get in the coolant if the pump is at fault. id go for head gasket causing it or cracked head as youve just got car it could be owt. long distance diagnosing isnt always right

[raziel2710]

Aye I'm thinking head gasket all the way. I'm not to bothered really. Either he fixes the head or I'll get my money back under the 30 day money back guarantee law :rolleyes:

 

I'll post an update here Monday when I phone him for an update.

[raziel2710]

Final update: Got the car back today and all is sorted. I did get a fright when I was in heavy traffic and moving about ten feet per hour when I saw the temp guage rise again. I was relieved beyond belief when I heard the fan kick in when the needle went to the end of the M in NORM on the guage. So it was the sensor after all :)

 

Thanks for the help. Much appreciated.