Engine Cooling Fans

[germaney]

New to the TVR thing, just bought a moonraker black Griff 500 a month ago and getting used to the awesome-ness. And trying to hide the silly grin every time I get in/ out of it!

Recently I have encountered one problem that seems to have no downside. Therefore it must be a major problem I just don't know it yet. After running hot for a couple of days, both of the engine coolings fans have now taken to switching on with the ignition and running permanently. Result the car is running at 70 degrees when hot not 90 as it was. Apart from the noise should I be worried?

Any help/ advice appreciated.

[RAW-SEWedge]

They shouldn't be running all the time.

Check the otter switch, usually located at the bottom of the swirl pot. It should be open circuit when the engine is below about 90deg. So if it's closed when the car is cold it's bust.

I'd also check that a fan override hasn't been fitted. There may be a switch under the dash which you've knocked with your knee or something.


>> Edited by RAW-SEWedge on Wednesday 24th September 19:44

[SIMS]

Does leaving the fans on permanently cause any serious problems, as i had a similar problem on a weekend away wherby the fan overide swith woud only work when the ignition was on but the engine not running, so i had to leave the fans on all the time.

[RAW-SEWedge]

Doubt it will cause any long term problems. Just means that the engine is not running at it's optimum temp'.

[GreenV8S]

Shouldn't overcool anything as long as the thermostat is working properly, just means the fans will wear out that bit sooner and you have an extra current drain on the battery.

[K67 KRB]

This happened to my 4.3...and I asked the same question, and no one thought it could be a problem, and normally it isn't.

However, I took my car down to Cornwall, 4 hour drive and I assume with the fans permanently on, and during my holiday, the fans went completely, causing my engine to overheat.

They had to be replaced, luckily on the warranty.

So, be careful, they are rather important :-)

At the end of the day, something is wrong, as they should not be on all the time, so get it fixed, before it is a terminal problem and you are in the middle of nowhere.

Cheers,

Martin

[germaney]

Thanks for the rapid contributions

Without the bible (on order but weeks away) and only other experience of spanner twiddling being on motorbikes it looks like I have a first visit to my (hopefully) friendly dealer in Hexham is on the cards. Preparing myself for a wallet lighting event . Will let you know.

[donatien]

I've had the same problem on mine, in fact it has come back last few days. It seems the fans come on even at cold with ignition on. In my case it isn't the otter as this is still open circuit when tested.

It *could* be a sticky relay. Later Griffs have 2 relays earlier one, but either way if one sticks on the fans are on.

And then again if there are any shorts in the wiring that feed the relays the fans will come on.

Never have diagnosed mine. Having fans on permanently during summer is not too bad - as it gets colder the current it draws may mean one frosty morning you turn the key and nothing.

Dave