flexalite thermo fan
Submitted: Monday, Nov 10, 2003 at 22:16
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mudgutz
im looking at fitting one of the flexalite blackmagic thermo fans to my petrol cruiser
they are an imported jobby from the states but there is a local agent in
sydney
has anyone out there used one.....are they reliable ....bit worried about australian conditions versus yank conditions heat dust etc etc ...........they make one specifically for my truck and should give me a little more herbs as
well as better fuel economy if i dont use the herbs and the big bonus is the in cab cutout for water....having a petrol truck i avoid deeper water like the plague due to having to disconnect the belts and losing the power steer (not good in a troopy with 33x12.5s on)
Reply By: Martin - Monday, Nov 10, 2003 at 22:41
Monday, Nov 10, 2003 at 22:41
Hello mudgutz, Just a few thoughts. I fitted twin fans to a Pajero some years ago and constantly regretted it. I found the relays supplied with them regularly failed (overheated) and the fans were quite noisy. There was no measurable improvement in fuel economy or performance. Just consider how little power is required to drive a fan - particularly at speed with the wind helping the fan along and it's understandable that it puts very little extra drag on the motor.
As for water crossings you don't need to take the belts off!
The 4wd courses I've done have suggested a "blind" - poly tarp over the grille and if you have a viscous clutch fan it can be tied back. A small hole in the end of one blade and a clip and string to a solid point near the fan will stop it rotating while you cross. These measures are only necessary on very deep crossings by the way.
Electric fans are OK when they are fitted as original equipment. My wife's car has them and my motorbike has one and they all operate beautifully but I'd be very cautious about aftermarket ones.
Cheers
AnswerID:
36793
Follow Up By: mudgutz - Tuesday, Nov 11, 2003 at 10:28
Tuesday, Nov 11, 2003 at 10:28
yeah i have used a blind in the past but you still get water in the engine bay.......and i know tying back a viscous fan buggers it very quickly from past experience thats how i used to cross if i couldnt find a shallow bit......replaced one about six months ago bloody expensive excersize that .....you know what toyota parts are like
i spoke to several mechanics at a couple of tojo joints to get a wide opinion .....and every single one said never tie back the fan .......two of them actually suggested a thermo with a switch in the cab....when that was suggested i asked have you seen one like it he said my hilux petrol runs one would i like to come down and have a look ......he also suggested moving the coil which is mounted under the air filter box facing forward (at the front of the engine bay low down.....what a poxy place to put a coil in a four wheel drive)....
well the coil is now mounted
o foot high on the inner guard rear facing if i can get this fan thing sorted i will
be able to swim without opening the bonnet.......just fit the blind and go
suits me
FollowupID:
26623
Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Monday, Nov 10, 2003 at 22:46
Monday, Nov 10, 2003 at 22:46
The problem with thermo fans(did a lot on this when
mine was overheating), is they die when they get lots of mud and water in them... which is usually 2-4 trips...
Expensive way to do it..
AnswerID:
36797
Reply By: Mickl - Monday, Nov 10, 2003 at 23:28
Monday, Nov 10, 2003 at 23:28
If you wanna do this on the cheap go to the wreckers and find a fan that you can adapt to fit.(just make sure it's big enough for the job) Then get a thermo switch kit ($65 at Super cheap auto) For a $100 you should get away with a pretty good set up, if your not happy with the result you haven't lost an arm or a leg so just pull it off and bin it. Run a bypass switch if you want to be able to over ride it.
Check out any front wheel drive car as they run thermo's and take note how often they actually turn on and run.. It's not that often. Mostly during extended idling. Whilst the car is moving they would almost never come on under normal road conditions.
Don't expect any measurable power or fuel economy increases. As for reliabilty I don't think you will have any problems. Thermo fans are just a motor with a fan blade attached, the motors are pretty
well sealed. Just look at the thermo on your airconditioner... it's straight behind the grill (on most vehicles), With all the mud, sand, water and bugs that go through them do they fail often? I think not.
AnswerID:
36803
Reply By: David N. - Tuesday, Nov 11, 2003 at 10:35
Tuesday, Nov 11, 2003 at 10:35
Obviously some electric fans can have reliability problems.....
but if fitted properly should be good.
(Why do you think so many manufacturers have gone down that path.) They DO save measurable power and fuel, no matter what anybody says- I have seen the results on a dynamometer, actually amazed me!
However some people would argue that they are not really suitable for 4WD due to mud etc etc.
Having said that I have two on my GQ Patrol and they kept me going for quite some time (months) till I discovered my viscous fan was not cutting in at all.
The 2 electric fans have been on my GQ for about seven years now with only one minor problem- a fuse which kept failing due overheating on a poor contact. Changed the fuse to a thermal circuit-breaker and no more problems.
Now have my viscous fan repaired and have the best of both worlds in summer- usually take the viscous fan off in winter- takes about 5 mins!
AnswerID:
36823