Fan over-ride , advisable ?

[Corin Denton]

Having only owned my Chimaera for only eight weeks I have yet to experience any hot weather (if we will get any!!) Is it worth fitting a fan over-ride switch while the car is receiving minimal use as it seems a popular conversion on these cars . do they generally run hot in the summer or is it isolated incidents on these vehicles. Thanks

[met]

i asked about this last time i was at tms in melton.the guy looked a bit gone out and asked if i was having trouble with the cooling system.from the information i've picked up so far (i'm in the same boat as you on this one-only had the car 5 weeks)i think you only get trouble if your cooling system is not in 100 percent condition.now there's a cue for a difference of opinion if ever there was one!!!!!
yours optomistically met!!!

[JSG]

Corin,

My first answer is 'what is hot weather' ahh you must live in another country.

But seriously - Although I don't own a Chimaera and may get corrected by one of the more knowledgeable posters I believe that you should be ok if your cooling system is working properly even in the summer.

The temp will go up towards the red but the fans should kick to bring it down. Unlike many modern cars the fans only bring the temp down when needed and the engine will run hotter than most Euroboxes.

If it does not happen it is often the fan (otter) switch not cutting in at the right temp (if at all). Many people use a switch that cuts in earlier than the standard one for piece of mind. It is the otter switch that is by-passed for a fan overide switch.

If the cooling system has another prob, such as muck / air in the system / blocked rad / faulty thermostat etc then the by-pass switch won't help.

My S was overheating even in Dec (in heavy traffic) and it was cured by a new stat and a recon rad - also had a new otter switch for good measure.

Good luck,
JSG.

[apache]

you will only have cooling probs if there is a fault with the cooling system so I wouldn't bother, my Griff had a stat fitted by the previous owner that opens a bit sooner than norm and although fine in traffic or hot weather it finds it difficult getting warm enough in winter

[yum]

I have one but use it rarely. the most useful thing is when you know that you are going to hit traffic on a hot day.

It's better to carry a short wire with two male connectors to bypass the thermostat switch if it dies.

R

[macca]

A fan overide switch is not a bad idea, you don't have to use it.

In the winter mine sits quite happily at 70. In the summer it's 90. Get caught in a traffic jam and it constantly moves between 90 and 100 with the fans kicking in at 92. So far it has not let me down but then I have not been in a serious jam - in such a situation I think I would like to leave the fans on a little longer and keep the temp sub 90.

[gervaised]

i've had one experience where i nearly boiled over (me and the car!) after a long high speed jaunt to paris, i suddenly hit the paris traffic. up the gauge went, and didn't seem to want to stop. this was with the blowers set to full, and the highest temp. the ambient temp was in the high 30s too. in the end, i had to pull over for 20 mins to let the engine (and me) cool off slightly. fine after that.

after i got back, i got the chaps at tower view to fit new otter switches (very cheap), that make the fans kick in at a much lower temp. much better cooling all round since then. also, you may want to reposition the number plate, or get a small bike plate made up to increase airflow to the rad.

[apache]

forgot that bit...I have a small plate too, does bugger all to help cooling at standstill but once moving brings the temp down more quickly.....looks the biz too

[Corin Denton]

Thanks everyone , I think I'll flush the system and leave at that for the minute . On the subject of repositioning number plates has anyone tried fixing a stick on one below the grill ?

[rthierry]

Corin,

Overheading problem would only occur at a standstill or at lowist speed, which makes the small plate a bit irrelevant for Chimaera - Griffs are different as they have a much smaller front grid. Since I cannot avoid driving in heavy traffic, I have just had my otter switch replaced by one that kicks in at a lower temperature. This was suggested as a better option than a fan overide switch, which would put a lot of strain on the car's electric system.

Cheers

[yum]

I have a stick-on number plate above the grid, which makes a big difference when you are moving. Probably more legal than a bike number plate.

R

[shpub]

quote:
I have just had my otter switch replaced by one that kicks in at a lower temperature. This was suggested as a better option than a fan overide switch, which would put a lot of strain on the car's electric system.

I have both. The fan override switch does not strain the electric system at all as it is a insurance policy against an otter switch failure preventing the fans from coming on.99% of the time it is not on and does nothing. Usually happens when you are stuck in the outside lane on a motorway where it is difficult to get to the hard shoulder and dangerous to get out and lift the bonnet. Turn on switch and the temp should come down. Just fitted an overide and a fan on LED to the Griff 500. Details in t'bible.

Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk

[richb]

quote:
forgot that bit...I have a small plate too, does bugger all to help cooling at standstill but once moving brings the temp down more quickly.....looks the biz too

Hi Pete, (Apache) have you got any pics' of your Griffith with its small plate? If so can you e-mail me? p.s. your e-mail address in your profile doesn't work... Rich.

[apache]

rich, not yet, I'll work on that...cheers re the profile prob, sorted now

>> Edited by apache on Wednesday 6th February 20:48