In the midst of road trip - risky to jumper radiator fan On??

macs70GLT · Post by **macs70GLT** » 22 Dec 2016, 09:35

I'm literally 1/3 the way from Seattle area to southern New Mexico. Driving son's 98' V70 GLT that I've been fixing over the summer.

Last night stopping for gas when I popped the hood a good amount of pressurized coolant was leaking from under the expansion tank cap. I tightened the cap a little but was reluctant to twist too hard - almost felt the threads may strip.

Drove the last 150 miles at lower speeds (mountainous up & down hills). As I finally came into Anderson, CA it occurred to me that the radiator fan was not running!!

I did a couple of electrical checks - the fan will run when jumpered directly, though there seems a little resistance when I try spinning it by hand. Also if I rap on the relay the fan tries to start...

1. Is there any risk to jumpering the fan On?

2. Is there a spray type lubricant I can spray on the fan itself to help free it up?

Thanks - I've already found a pick-n-pull near Sacramento to source a couple spare relays.

Mike - Las Cruces, NM or bust!

Post by **abscate** » 22 Dec 2016, 09:48

Whats the ambient temperature? At highway speeds there is little need for the fan - the airflow will remove the heat from the radiator just fine - especially if you keep it at 60 or so.

macs70GLT · Post by **macs70GLT** » 22 Dec 2016, 09:59

Thanks for the quick response.

Last night was cold, maybe mid 40.

I have a ScanGuage hooked up to give me realtime coolant temps. On some of the hills it climbed to 198F. Then kept climbing to 204F when I shut it off, that's when I realized the fan wasn't working.

Glad to know highway speeds make that much difference.

What is the max coolant temp I need to avoid? Or put another way - Don't Do This!

Mike

Post by **abscate** » 22 Dec 2016, 10:38

BP of correct coolant mix under pressure will be about 235F, so you were probably well under that.

macs70GLT · Post by **macs70GLT** » 22 Dec 2016, 11:02

Yes - max I have seen is 211F, just now!

So this has become more critical - stopped to take a few pictures, driving around Red Bluff,CA and the temp went way up, again coolant coming out!

I'm now thinking there is a more serious issue like an obstruction in the block somewhere or????

Recent work includes replacing coolant lines, thermostat, and PO did replace TB and water pump within last year I think.

Does anyone know of a good Indy in Sacramento, CA?

It's 130 miles away but more likely to have good place than this town.

Post by **sleddriver** » 22 Dec 2016, 12:23

Coolant should not be boiling out under the cap. You need a new OEM-grade one. Don't buy a cheap one either. BTDT...it failed in a single day. Couldn't stand the heat. Literally....

Solve the simple first before considering the esoteric.....

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 22 Dec 2016, 16:37

I think your cap is the issue here. Normal temps I've seen are around 200 fahrenheit. I don't remember exactly what mine was running at when I was watching it after a coolant flush/t-stat replacement, but 211 doesn't seem too awfully high. Not dangerous high at least. Then again, I could be wrong.

Post by **dyn blin** » 22 Dec 2016, 17:46

bmdubya1198 wrote:I think your cap is the issue here. Normal temps I've seen are around 200 fahrenheit. I don't remember exactly what mine was running at when I was watching it after a coolant flush/t-stat replacement, but 211 doesn't seem too awfully high. Not dangerous high at least. Then again, I could be wrong.

Agreed, 210-215 is the range mine runs fully warmed before the 2nd fan kicks in. I'd start with the easy stuff, like the cap.

Post by **98v70dad** » 22 Dec 2016, 19:56

My 98 V70 runs at a little below 220 F at the worst case in above 95 F summer temps (traffic jam - stopped) in Atlanta, GA. I monitor the coolant temperature constantly using an ultragauge. The fan usually comes on in the 216 - 219 F range and drops rapidly to around 208 F.

Post by **cn90** » 22 Dec 2016, 20:27

No matter if it is -20C in the winter or 40C in the summer, a properly designed vehicle does not need the Aux Fan once the speed is above 20 mph or so.

Below 20 mph, it all depends on coolant temp, once it is above a pre-set value, it will turn on the Aux Fan.

You are fine on the highway, don't worry too much about the Aux Fan until you get home.