Should I? - Electric Fan

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D90mitch

D90mitch

Well-Known Member
Posts
2,419
Location
Sometimes Peterborough, Sometimes Hatfield
So, I have been reading many threads about converting to electric fans with very mixed reviews. The main reason I am looking at getting one is for the noise reduction, which I have heard is quite significant. If anyone could confirm that, I would appreciate.

I know the belt fan provides a constant air flow whereas the electric fan only kicks in when needed however does this really matter? I mean pretty much all modern cars use electric fans.

My other concern is the reliability. I know the standard fan will always turn as long as the belt is there.

My 90 does all sorts of driving in varied conditions so I want to make sure it is prepared. Recently I have had the need to tow a heavy trailer on the occasion so I would have thought an electric fan would be beneficial here as it can spin at a high rpm even if the engine is pulling up a steep hill etc.

What's the verdict?

Thanks.
 
It's personal preference I've known em fail and cook a Tdi but saying that a belt can snap and do the same
In winter your engine will warm quicker and hence heater will be your friend sooner
If you off road a lot ensure the fan is clear of the rad as mud build up will be machined across the fins, not good
 
can't say i've ever noticed the fan noise above the usual engine/road one.

sure your fan isn't just knackered?
 
Is your viscous seized (middle of fan) should spool free when engine cold and become more solid once engine radiator heat present
They sound like a spitfire a bit when goosed
 
One of the first mods I did to a 2001 TD5 was, fit an electric fan the viscous
fan was knackered.
The radiator was also on its last legs, damaged on the engine side by what
looked like someone trying to remove the viscous fan.
So the cooling system was chemically cleaned and flushed out new hoses,
thermostat and radiator when the kenlow fan was fitted.
I have a three way switch on the dash wired so that switch in the middle
the fan is controlled by it’s own thermostat it will come on when the water
temperature rises to the pre-set temperature.
When the switch is up a red warning light comes on telling me that the fan
will not switch on. This is for wading so that the fan is not trying to force
it’s way through the water, spray more water around the engine bay or
over stress the motor on the fan causing it to fail.
When the switch is down a blue warning light comes on telling me that the
fan is permanently on overriding the fans own thermostat and will stay on
permanently. This also acts as a test for the fan, by switching it on I know it
is working.

I fitted the fan in December 2013 so nearly one year, OK the vehicle has not
done any heavy work but it has been driven on motorways and in traffic on
the hottest days this year gave us. The fan has never tripped on via its own
thermostat, the temperature gauge rises to normal and stays there with no
help from the fan.
If I manually switch on the fan the gauge will fall until I switch it off again.
My TD5 used in the way I did last year just removing the viscous and not
replacing the fan would have been OK.
I have read of other people removing the fan’s and suffering no over
heating issues, I did not want to try it but it seems as though I could have,
but would you want to take the chance?
On the noise question yes it is quieter with the electric fan fitted although
I can hear the electric fan if I manually switch it on when the engine is
running and the vehicle is stationary. On the move I cannot hear it over
the other Defender noises.

 
Elec on my 200tdi and only time it ever comes on is when used hard off road at slow speeds, never ever on the road in 4 years.
But we all know 200 is one cool running lump, td5 is very expensive engine to cock up.
 
Like Lynall electric on my 200,it even ran a few times last summer[mostly when towing] Started out as a twin fan system for old 19j 20 years ago and worked hard but when engine replaced one unit was enough. Have a switch to test fan now and then and should thermostat fail.
 
I fitted a Kenlowe electric fan on my 200 tdi in the hope that my engine would warm up quicker in the winter months. Earlier this year I did a trip across Morocco through the Sahara without any problems. I heard the fan come on several times whilst we were going through deep sand. For normal road use over the last four years I think I have heard the electric fan come on about three times, and that was when the temperature was in the high 30's C and pushing the motor quiet hard. I never noticed any difference with regards to noise when running with a Visco fan. My Kenlowe fan if fully auto and comes on when necessary. All the fittings and wiring came in the kit. They are more expensive but once fitted you can forget it. I regularly traverse rivers, Snow, off road through the forest and desert, no problems .
 
I dont rate the kenlowes especially for the money they want, both my cars have the cheaper kenlowe copy ones on from ebay 30 quid each, have been sunk in slurry a few times and still work, once did get a bit grumbly after sitting in deep water for a half hour or so, but once dried out has been fine.
 
Mine is also electric. Switched by an x-fan/x-switch thermostat on the bottom hose. Also has a manual override to switch to force it on. It's switched via a relay. When the switch is in the on position or if the fan is switched on by the thermostat, the green led in the head of the switch lights - which is cool :). The fan can also be heard over the engine noise. I did not fit bother with an off for the fan as the engine would be cooled by the water in any case or I could simply remove the fuse.

Mine has only ever come on when working the engine hard offroad. Like Lynall, I went for a cheap kenlowe copy, which has been in for over a year.
 
So no real improvement on noise then? Best to keep as it is. I will be sure to check that everything is ok on the current fan.

I did forget to mention my engine is tuned up, bigger intercooler (not a full size), pump changes etc. Currently runs just over half way on the temp guage. Radiator is looking a bit aged but not too bad. Probably due for a change.
 
ive got a cheapo on mine,

I only fitted it because it meant less rotating mass on the engine, thus "theoretically" it should reduce fuel consumption... albiet by an amount that barely registers!

ive also fitted both our l200's with them, mainly so that servicing is easier.
 
ive not had a fan on my 200tdi since i fitted the lump last december... I have an elec fan but still not sure how to mount it :)

Never been above half even hammering it offroad.

I plan on having my fan being switched by a thermo switch in the hose and also having a bypass switch to turn my fan on constant if need be.
 
Ive got one on my 90 but thats because its got a rear rad so needs the airflow. I removed the fan completely on my 200 90 when I had that and it only started getting warm once when greenlaning up a large hill.

Switching does make a difference to power usage, you can really notice on a tractor when the fan kicks in on power usage .... alright bighet power uses but the principle is the same

Go for it.
 
In winter I blank the bottom of the rad and fasten the viscous fan to the cowling by drilling a blade and using a zip tie. Have on occasion forgotten to reverse this in summer i found that at about 30 miles on the motorway the gauge starts to climb. Pull off break the zip tie and drive on.

Because it never gets hot enough to lock the viscous coupling this doesn't seem to do any damage.
 
Mines electric, since having my good looking rad recored and the tropical mod done I've not needed it on the redone rad dumps loads of heat.... Your rad may look good, it proably isn't
 
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