Is it a bad idea to run fans on Constant?

[buugiewuugie]

My car is going through Anti-freeze like crazy. It doesnt seem to be leaking. I replaced the radiator cap, checked the thermastat and I'm doing a compression check today. If that turns out fine the only thing i can think of is the fans arent working right. Is it a bad idea to run them on constant?

 

[Matrixhunter]

Not really you can hook them up on switch or if you dont use airconditioning remove the condensor fuses and then when you press the ac button only the fan will turn on and you will have 2 fans cooling the motor without the added strain of the a/c running.

 

[Quasimondo]

If your car is going through antifreeze like that, chances are that you have a blown head gasket. Did you have any recent overheating problems?

 

[buugiewuugie]

The car doesnt seem to be running hot but the antifreeze boils back into the reserve.. And I have checked my oil its fine..

(My temp gauge doesnt work)

 

[buugiewuugie]

I dont know if I should have mentioned this earlier but I also have an oil leak on the cam side of the engine. It has gotten a bit worse here recently. But it just seems to be on the upper side of the engine. And I just replaced the valve cover gasket. So I dont think that is what it is...

 

[Masochist]

The car doesnt seem to be running hot but the antifreeze boils back into the reserve.. And I have checked my oil its fine..

(My temp gauge doesnt work)

Replace the cap.
Also make sure you are running the proper mix of coolant. Too much water will cause it to boil. Make sure the coolant level is full. If you still have a problem then you are overheating for a reason. Maybe something obstructing the radiator, or the radiator may need to be cleaned/cored/replaced.

All of the above is assuming that the fans are working correctly in the first place. If there is a problem with the fans then of course that's where you should start. If it doesnt overheat on the freeway but does when in regular traffic, thats a good indication your fans are having a problem.

 

[buugiewuugie]

I am using the 50/50 mix i think is what its called. Where you dont mix with water.. And I already replaced the cap...

 

[Masochist]

I am using the 50/50 mix i think is what its called. Where you dont mix with water.. And I already replaced the cap...

Do you know if the fans are coming on at all like they are supposed to?

 

[buugiewuugie]

They came on twice the other night that I saw. It was after about 10 minutes and it was only on for about 2 seconds. Is that normal?

 

[Masochist]

They came on twice the other night that I saw. It was after about 10 minutes and it was only on for about 2 seconds. Is that normal?

No thats not normal if they only stayed on for 2 seconds. When letting the car sit there and idle at operating temperature, one fan typically will come on every 1-2 min and run for maybe 20 seconds or more. Obviously outside temperature etc. will play into this but 2 seconds sounds like you could have a problem with your coolant temperature sensor. Does it overheat on the freeway?

 

[vintagemuscle]

Seeing that your temp gauge doesn't work you have no idea how hot the engine is getting, but it seems that the engine is running very hot if your coolant is being pushed into the overflow. fix the temp gauge before you ruin your engine!

 

[buugiewuugie]

Well my gauge is broken. It used to jump spastically back and forth. But now it just sits all the way at cold no matter what.

 

[buugiewuugie]

K.. I'll go do that right now.. I'll let you guys know in a little while. Thank you.

 

[Masochist]

if your coolant is boiling over into the overflow your fans are most likely not your problem. seeing that your temp gauge doesn't work you have no idea how hot the engine is getting, but it seems that the engine is running very hot if your coolant is being pushed into the overflow. fix the temp gauge before you ruin your engine!

WOW! Coolant boiling over is exactly what would happen if the fans quit working.....

Here is a list of most likely things that will cause overheating. We just need to try and eliminate each one....

Radiator cap
Thermostat
Fans inoperative (which could be the fan itself or the sensor)
Blown headgasket (check your oil while your out messing with the guage)
Warped head
Radiator obstructed

That covers most of the typical causes. Check the easy stuff first.

 

[buugiewuugie]

thermastat is working. I can see the coolant circulating.
Replaced radiator cap.
Replaced Coolant temperature Sensor. Gauge still is not working. Just sitting on cold. And the fans still are not coming on.

The head was Rebuilt not to long ago so i dont think that is it. and like I said my oil is fine.

Any ideas on why the gauge isnt working?

What is the best way to check the radiator??

Thanks so much for your help

 

[Masochist]

Here ya go

http://dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=206387&highlight=cooling+fan+sensor

Seems someone has gone through all the trouble of typing it all out already

 

[silvercoupe97]

Any ideas on why the gauge isnt working?

Have you replaced your coolant temp gauge sensor? It's located on the thermostat housing and it is the one with the single wire contected. Check to make sure it was reconnected and/or hasn't been damaged.

There's also a thermal switch that monitors the temp in the radiator, it tells the fan to come on and there is something called the thermosensor located under the radiator fan in our cars. Maybe change that out. Page 3-31 in the Chilton's book

 

[buugiewuugie]

Ok. I just ordered the Thermo Fan Switch. It will be in tomorrow. Thats great!!!

Is there any ideas on how to get my temp gauge working?

 

[buugiewuugie]

Nevermind I did some researching. I found it. Thanks!

 

[DSM BEEYACH]

Take off your throttle body elbow and, look in side your throttle body for coolant leakage. I had the same exact problem not to long ago, caused by a failed wax pallet inside the throttle body. Good luck to you Sir.

 

[buugiewuugie]

YAY!! gauge is fixed!!

It is staying right in the middle. However I didnt drive it anywhere I just let it sit for about 10-15 minutes..

Also. I took the intercooler piping off and I didnt see any coolant or anything

 

[DSM BEEYACH]

YAY!! gauge is fixed!!

It is staying right in the middle. However I didnt drive it anywhere I just let it sit for about 10-15 minutes..

Also. I took the intercooler piping off and I didnt see any coolant or anything

The coolant will only be visible in the throttle body and, the intake manifold it self. Look inside your throttle body and the intake manifold it self. Look for green coating on the walls.

 

[silvercoupe97]

YAY!! gauge is fixed!!

It is staying right in the middle. However I didnt drive it anywhere I just let it sit for about 10-15 minutes..

Also. I took the intercooler piping off and I didnt see any coolant or anything

Before you start getting pm's about what your fix was, tell us.

 

[buugiewuugie]

The wire had broke off of the gauge sensor on the thermostat housing. so i spliced another connector onto the wire and slipped it back on. But I had to change the sensor as well because it was jumping back and forth after I reconnected it.

 

[toyotuner]

ok my car is overheating still after i put a new thermostat, new radiator, put a new fan in last night. and with my fan im runnin into the same problem with it only staying on for like 2 seconds at idle. it doesnt overheat on the freeway only on city streets. my oil is fine no leakin anywhere that im aware of, and if it is its extremely small cause i check my oil reguraly. i guess im just stumped i know uve posted solutions above but i was hopin i could that narrowed down.

the thramostat was replaced like 2-3 months ago i cant remember. so not surprised if someone tells me to check it which i think i will here when im not busy in the next couple days.