Fan question

[DeeTees]

While on a trip the steering V belt snapped. Then shortly after, the Alt/Battery warning light came on.
On inspection, the broken belt had sorta edged its way over to the alternator belt, got entangled and dislodged it so it was hanging loose.
Until I got the proper size, I refitted the alt belt and used an available 10 x 900 which fitted in nicely from the water pump to the steering pump.

Later while refitting 2 new belts, I took off the fan and left it off.
Looking at the temp gauge on a normal journey, I wouldn't know the difference, the needle stays just below the middle
There is a little electrical fan attached to the front side (the wrong side) of the radiator.
While driving in 4wd for a period through snow, the temp gauge needle
moved up a tiny bit to the middle and stayed there.

All looks normal to me, is that fan really needed in cool climates?

 

[jace]

the elecy fans for air con and i gues if your driving normally in cold weather rads efficent enough to keep engine cool itd be a bugger if you were stuck in traffic mind you gues having heater on all time would help!

 

[JonathanM]

On my T2 in all weathers except summer the viscous fan doesn't cut in, it is only really in use when towing in the summer & general driving on the continent in summer temps. It wouldn't surprise me if driving in cooler temps did not require a fan.

I'd wonder about yours being an auto though, don't they have a gearbox oil cooler?

 

[jace]

true yes running through bottom rad cant be getting hot as theres a warning light for g/box temp

 

[DeeTees]

Though I wouldn't like to be depending on a warning light to enlighten me about the auto box being dangerously hot. I'd assume that if the water temp gauge needle is below the middle then the gearbox temp is allright, the circulating water has to be cool enough.

As I don't have air conditioning or any possible use for it, then I suppose in theory I could hook up the air cond fan to a thermostat when those months arrive that are not as cold as the winter.

 

[Giggsy]

any body fit an elec rad fan from any other car on the t2? is there any with suitable duty and fit?

Ta Ryan

 

[jace]

try search sure someones fitted one