Inlet Cover Removal and Fans

[astonman]

Please can anyone tell me how to get the inlet cover off so that I can get to the fan sensors at the back of the cylinder head.

Thanks

[earlyriser]

Yes. Easy job, 45 mins tops and saves £80+ labour charge.

Remove air sensor, un bolt the two allen key brackets from top of rocker cover. Unclip (x3) the top of the airbox from the bottom half - third third clip is hidden between the air box and the engine block, half way down and reached by threading your arm in from the front. Pull off the vent hose and a small diameter breather pipe from the front of the airbox and CAREFULLY pull the top of the airbox off - care because there is a 2nd breather pipe attached at the back. Once that is off the cover if free to remove. The fan sensor is toward the REAR of the block and probably labelled 'c.u. water sensor'. The water sensor has the same connection as the air sensor.

Before removing the sensor remove the expansion cap to de-pressurise the system and have the new sensor ready to go.
Best to remove it with a long 19mm socket. When replacing use a little plumbers ptfe tape and/or RTV type high-temp suitable mastic on the thread. WARNING the sensor is hollow brass so don't, as I did first time, over-tighten it. Finger tight plus 1/4 turn should do it. Job done

If you want to test the fans before removing sensor - although change it anyway for £11. Start engine and remove sensor connector. Both fans should cut in immediately. Don't run for too long, 'else you can bugger your ecu up.

Good luck
Martin

[astonman]

Thanks Martin,I will have a go later this week I'll let you know how I get on,

where did you source your sensor?

Thanks
Simon

[earlyriser]

Harrogate HC. None left in stock this week, though ... as I needed two
I'm sure Jim (nice chap, parts) could order you one in. Most dealers should have them as they seem to fail regularly.

I don't know what your symptoms were. Mine was 2nd fan not cutting in. Now 1st fan comes on 92-94c and second one at 98c. Also advised to change expansion cap (ca.£10) as this had vented last w/end - no doubt because 2nd fan wasn't working! I understand once these caps have vented - as they are designed to - they need renewing. You can get cheap ones for £3-5 but I tbought it was important to get one that was sure to work as consequences are serious if it doesn't - it's VAG from a Mk 1 Golf btw.

ps to previous message - you don't need to touch the sensor toward the front of the block as it doesn't affect the fans

[astonman]

Thanks again Martin.My symptoms are exactly the same.The second fan used to cut in at about 96to 98 but no longer works.

[David Godfrey]

earlyriser said:

I understand once these caps have vented - as they are designed to - they need renewing.

anyone else confirm this is true, would seem strange unless its faulty?

[L1OFF]

David Godfrey said:

earlyriser said:

I understand once these caps have vented - as they are designed to - they need renewing.

anyone else confirm this is true, would seem strange unless its faulty?

sounds rubbish to me as the AA have a gizmo for testing pressure caps vent correctly, had this done on my Renault.

[Daftlad]

astonman said:

Thanks again Martin.My symptoms are exactly the same.The second fan used to cut in at about 96to 98 but no longer works.

I was at Croft the other week in the Saga Lout. Car running at 94, 95 DegC on track. No fans.

Let it cool, checekd for air (all jacked uo at the front) and ensured correctly filled. All fine, start it up and 97, 98 degrees and no fans. Plug in lap top and find that the dash display is reading 6-7 degrees warmer than actual. Dash display is not always what it seems.

Now then, how can I get a capilliary tube and proper gauge fitted...

[targarama]

David Godfrey said:

earlyriser said:

I understand once these caps have vented - as they are designed to - they need renewing.

anyone else confirm this is true, would seem strange unless its faulty?

I don't think so, they're just a pressure relief valve. However, I renewed mine following my headgasket going in style last year. Only a few quid from a motorfactors (VW part).

[earlyriser]

targarama said:

David Godfrey said:

earlyriser said:

I understand once these caps have vented - as they are designed to - they need renewing.

anyone else confirm this is true, would seem strange unless its faulty?

I don't think so, they're just a pressure relief valve. However, I renewed mine following my headgasket going in style last year. Only a few quid from a motorfactors (VW part).

Just reporting what a mechanic mate (not tvr) had said. Doesn't mean the cap is ruined after one vent. Mine had worked several times recently, due to fan issue and so I thought for the few tokens it costs I'd replace and be sure.