1995 Volvo 850 - Cooling Fan - Just Took it to the Shop

rombe3jr · Post by **rombe3jr** » 12 Jul 2007, 08:05

Well... I posted a while back about the cooling fan not working and followed thru with a lot of suggestions. Hooked the battery up to the fan, which turned it on, so I replaced the fan relay, which did not work. Others suggested it was bad wiring, or still a bad relay. In the meantime it would overheat and spill coolant almost every day. About 10 gallons of coolant later and finally at the end of my rope, I took it to the shop. They called today and said I have a cracked coolant tank, a problem I believe started from letting it overheat so much. But the real problem was a bad temperature sensor. That's right, temperature sensor. Which was what my first thought before asking the forum. At the time I thought it was common sense, if the fan isn't kicking on, the temp sensor must not be activating it. Just wanted to let you know, since there were quite a few people who suggested the problem was not the temp sensor. Well the shop is charging $45 for checking it, $110 for the new coolant tank and $106 for the temp sensor. How hard would it be for me to install these items myself? Is it worth the savings?

Trilarry · Post by **Trilarry** » 12 Jul 2007, 09:25

Well I admit I was one of the guys that said it did not sound like a coolant sensor problem. I'm still not convinced until you actually tell me a new one fixed it, but that's not the issue me being convinced.

All parts you mentioned you can change in an hour with minimum cost. Coolant sensor about 50 bucks tops, Coolant expansion tank 30 dollars. All parts available at FCP Groton at the top of the Forum. Pay the 45 dollars and do the maintenance yourself. You will need a star tool for the Thermostat housing, size 40 I believe. Also change out your thermostat while you at it.

I hope you nail it with these parts.
Tri

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 12 Jul 2007, 09:33

FCP sells the coolant temp sensor for $30.00 and the tank for $30.00. Neither one is terribly difficult to replace but it is a little messy since you need to drain the coolant down to a level below the thermostat housing. Add some freight to that.

Your call on who does the work but I would fix it sooner rather than later before you overheat and blow a head gasket.

...Lee