Cooling Fan Operation
The cooling fan operation is a fan that cools down hot coolant entering the radiator while the car isn’t moving. When the car is moving, outside air enters the car through the front grille and cools the passing coolant in the radiator. However, when the vehicle is stationary, this air flow is no longer present, so a cooling fan operation is used in its place until the car starts moving again.
There are two main type of cooling fan operations: electric and mechanical.
An electric cooling fan operation is controlled by a cooling fan motor that moves the fan blades. The motor activates automatically when the engine temperature reaches a certain level and will continue to operate until the temperature drops below that threshold. The fan may also have different speed settings depending on the temperature of the engine. The engine temperature is monitored by a temperature sensor that relays instructions to the cooling fan motor.
In a mechanical cooling fan operation, the fan blades are mounted on a pulley driven by a fan belt. The fan blades operate alongside a component known as the fan clutch. The fan clutch is a hub containing silicon gel that will expand as the engine temperature increases. The expanding gel locks the fan hub and the blades draw air through the radiator. As the coolant cools down, the gel contracts and the hub is no longer locked, allowing the fan blades to stop rotating.
Signs of a bad cooling fan operation
- Engine overheats
- AC no longer produces cold air
- Increased fuel consumption
- Roaring noise when accelerating
Cooling fan operation maintenance
If you notice any of the above signs, get your vehicle inspected by a car care professional right away. A faulty cooling fan will cause your engine to overheat, which could cause permanent damage to the engine. The best way to get maintenance done on your cooling fan operation is to book your appointment through CarAdvise. CarAdvise makes car care simple and guarantees that you’ll pay less than retail price on all car maintenance services.
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