Am I being paraniod. But my fans are on alot!!!!!!

[moorcroft]

My Griffith is currently standard with the exception of a couple of small mods. I have a new Radtec alloy radiator, a 74 degree large bore thermostat, and a lower temp fan switch (88 degree on, 84 off). But the fans are beginning to drive me made. I went out this evening, it was about 24 degrees outside and my car stays at a good (indicated) temperature, the gauge showing roughly the same temp as the fan switch temperatures when the fans come on and off. Yet , thats my problem, the fans are always coming on and off unless I go over say 50MPH. Under this speed the fans are switching on and off. If I stay stationary then the fans come on for 90 seconds, followed by 60 seconds off. The time the fans stays on each time increases slightly. If I stay completely stationary the time the fans stay on can increase up to 4 minutes or more, then 60 seconds off. Is this fairly normal for this temperature weather or should it be cooling better?? Am I just being parnoid??

[ray_von]

I think you're being paranoid. It sounds as though the fans are working as they should. Mines the same, on more than off and running when moving slowly. Of course we could be both be a midges away from a massive bill

[pwd95]

I wouldn't worry, as long as it's all keeping everything cool I wouldn't complain. Sound's like a good system to me.

[rigga]

Sounds like they are working as should in order to control the temp....there is a hell of a lot of heat build up in the engine bay with no air flow through when stationary,hence the prolonged and increasing fan cycle.

[HereBeMonsters]

I know what you mean, I went to an aftermarket fan/thermostat solution on my 205, and it felt like stop and start all the time. The OEM stuff just generally stays on when the car is warm, but if it doesn't need it, why not turn off? That's what it's designed to do after all...

[culminator]

I have the same on my 450 BV Griff. Even slowing down a bit will trigger the fans but it doesn't overheat so I guess it's doing what it was designed to do. I wouldn't worry about it, seems normal.

[griffith400]

Another here with the same.

My Griff is a '97 500 and has the double fan install up front. I've only modified the suspension etc so it's basically bog standard engine wise.

Temp sits rock solid at a smidge over 80 when moving slowly. Can drop a little in cooler conditions or when going at a good pace for a long period. On hotter days (yep, we even get a couple in Scotland) the fans are on more than they are off.

Had the car over 4-5yrs and it's always been this way, never overheated and temp seems consistent so it seems normal.

Mind you, always have a small panic when you run into a traffic jam in built up areas - I think this is normal for Griff owners too just another reason to enjoy the twisties in the country!

One thing I have done is add the Water Wetter product. Seemed to reduce the temp from it's normal or just under 85 to it's current norm of just over 80. Might be worth a try as it seems to help.

Steve.

[sumoone]

If the stop start of the fans is alarming,why not have a override switch to the underside of the dash panel which can be activated on when you feel needed and you feel more in control.
i have one on my 500 and it works a treat.

Mark

[moorcroft]

Thanks for the comments guys, seems like I'm worried about nothing. I was considering using water wetter to improve the cooling. Anyone else tried this stuff? I was wondering if they was an upgraded water pump that may have a better flow rate. May improve overall perforemance.

[fastandcurious]

sumoone said:

If the stop start of the fans is alarming,why not have a override switch to the underside of the dash panel which can be activated on when you feel needed and you feel more in control.
i have one on my 500 and it works a treat.

Mark

I'll second that. I fitted a fan overide switch and it works a treat. I was concerned that my fans weren't cutting in until over 90 deg (on the gauge) so now I hit the switch if I see a build up of traffic in front and down comes the temp. I have an LCD on the top of the cowling that comes on with the fans so I know they're working.

[Mr MoJo]

fastandcurious said:

sumoone said:

If the stop start of the fans is alarming,why not have a override switch to the underside of the dash panel which can be activated on when you feel needed and you feel more in control.
i have one on my 500 and it works a treat.

Mark

I'll second that. I fitted a fan overide switch and it works a treat. I was concerned that my fans weren't cutting in until over 90 deg (on the gauge) so now I hit the switch if I see a build up of traffic in front and down comes the temp. I have an LCD on the top of the cowling that comes on with the fans so I know they're working.

I'll give the over ride switch the thumbs up too, also have the light to indicate when the fans are on.

[johnzo]

OHHHHHHhhhhhhhhh..... THOSE sorts of fans. Well it's Sunday morning and up here in Yorkshire I have to say it's cool and not much incentive to take the roof off. When I read the title of your post I thought you were getting paranoid about TVR enthusiasts ("fans" as in Groupies, or maybe in this case "Griffies"). Yeah yeah, time to get some wind through my ears ...

p.s. my RADIATOR fans do the same on/off, water temp is fine, even in France when air-temperature 37c and an autoroute blat ended up with a Q at the payage