Date:         Fri, 24 Feb 2006 08:37:15 -0500
Reply-To:     Thomas Myers <thomas.myers@XEROX.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Thomas Myers <thomas.myers@XEROX.COM>
Subject:      Re: "jet engine" cooling fan
In-Reply-To:  <4253a4a60602231305t5f34cefbl34de848ece04f769@mail.gmail.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Yes the second speed on the radiator fan is quite loud and can be perfectly
normal - but I would definitely check to see your FIRST fan speed is
actually working. The fan resistor ballast behind the drivers headlight
often [always?] goes bad and the usually the first fan speed is the first to
stop working.

Hence you start noticing the "Jet engine" because the engine starts hitting
the second temp. threshold more often.

There is some speculation that the wider temp swings that to start to take
place will Shorten the life of the engine significantly.


Cheers

Tom
90 Westy
Rochester NY
http://motmyers.blogspot.com





> From: Rob Campbell <mantid@GMAIL.COM>
> Reply-To: Rob Campbell <mantid@GMAIL.COM>
> Date: Thu, 23 Feb 2006 13:05:27 -0800
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Subject: "jet engine" cooling fan
>
> As pertains to water-cooled (1987) vanagon:
>
> I've heard reference to the cooling stage where the "jet engine" fan comes
> on (quite loudly).  I did experience this last summer for the first time
> while driving up a long steep stretch of highway in Southern California on a
> 90-degree day.  The temp needle was a ways above its usual spot in the
> middle, but the light never flashed and fortunately the drive was over
> shortly after that occurance.  I did pull over into the truck lane and was
> driving about 35, the "jet engine" would come and go intermittantly.
>
> I am curious how "normal" it is for this stage of cooling to occur.  Is it a
> warning of a problem, or just par for course for driving uphill too long?
> Should the van be pulled over to cool down?  Or is it ok to just let it go
> like this, with the system doing its job? How hot is too hot? Obviously
> slowing down as much as possible comes to mind, turning off AC and even
> opening the heat up if its tolerable, but as summer returns to the south,
> are there any other words of consideration?
>
> FWIW I have no coolant leaks, van seems in perfect health, temp is almost
> always stable (even at highway speeds and "normal" uphill drives). I am new
> to living in such a warm area though and want to be careful this summer.
>
> thanks for any input
>
> rob
> 87 Westy
> Long Beach, CA