Anglo-Frenchman Posted February 15, 2007 Share Posted February 15, 2007 I thought I might try removing the viscous fan from the front of the water pump to reduce the drag on the 200Tdi. I have been advised that this engine will work quite happily without the fan but as the temperature in France can often reach mid 40s during summer I wondered if this might not be such a good idea? Perhaps it could go on in summer and be removed in winter? Ged Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgnas Posted February 15, 2007 Share Posted February 15, 2007 Take it off for the winter and fit an electric by summer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gromit Posted February 15, 2007 Share Posted February 15, 2007 I drove round France for 2 years with a dead fan. In summer you will need to keep a very close eye on the temp, especially on long hills. On a trip back from Italy, it was about 38 and I had to make frequent stops on long motor way hills up from the Frejus tunnel. Finally fitted an electric fan, just cause it was cheaper than a replacement viscous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anglo-Frenchman Posted February 15, 2007 Author Share Posted February 15, 2007 Thanks very much guys. Out of interest, how hard is it to fit a Kenlow or Pacet fan? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjojjas Posted February 15, 2007 Share Posted February 15, 2007 done about 20,000 mile without a fan on my 200tdi towing a trailer & full of kids in the UK or clod climates. Never been a problem, but I'm fitting an electric one soon in preparation for a june trip fully loaded on french/spanish border....thought I'd be pushing my luck there..... I'm fitting a ford mondeo fan with an x-eng thermostatic switch. Jas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigster Posted February 15, 2007 Share Posted February 15, 2007 from memory it comes with all the bits you require.. (both do) but I think the X-eng mod is rather nice and easier to plumb in with out leaks than the old style twist dial thing .. Thanks very much guys. Out of interest, how hard is it to fit a Kenlow or Pacet fan? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anglo-Frenchman Posted February 15, 2007 Author Share Posted February 15, 2007 Sorry for my ignorance, but what is the 'x-eng mod'? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted February 15, 2007 Share Posted February 15, 2007 X-Eng fan Switch There's even a forum discount if you use the link in Si's signature. Don't bother buying a Kenlowe/Pacet, just raid the local scrapyard for something from a Citroen or Renault (you should be OK in France then!) as they have big slimline fans (made by Gate). Far cheaper than a kenlowe and from what I've heard they draw less current and are more reliable as they're OE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjojjas Posted February 15, 2007 Share Posted February 15, 2007 http://www.x-eng.co.uk/X-Therm.asp edit: ooops .... posted same time as Mr Freezer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superduke Posted February 15, 2007 Share Posted February 15, 2007 Yep I also run a 200 tdi without the viscous fan, I planned to fit a kenlowe but never got around to it, I have never had a problem with overheating even in the hot weather we had last year, I had just fitted a new radiator which I suspect would have helped with the cooling though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BogMonster Posted February 15, 2007 Share Posted February 15, 2007 I take my 300 one off in the winter and only put it on when off road or towing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dred90 Posted February 15, 2007 Share Posted February 15, 2007 X-Eng fan Switch There's even a forum discount if you use the link in Si's signature. Don't bother buying a Kenlowe/Pacet, just raid the local scrapyard for something from a Citroen or Renault (you should be OK in France then!) as they have big slimline fans (made by Gate). Far cheaper than a kenlowe and from what I've heard they draw less current and are more reliable as they're OE. Yep, allisport also do this type of switch and yes don't bother with the kenlowe/pacet unless you've got money to burn. on my 200 tdi the fan only used to activate in the height of summer on long runs or in heavy traffic.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbocharger Posted February 16, 2007 Share Posted February 16, 2007 I've done 20k miles without a fan (or cowl) on my 300Tdi. I keep the fan in the back just in case but it only gets hot below 5mph when it's working hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgnas Posted February 16, 2007 Share Posted February 16, 2007 Thanks very much guys. Out of interest, how hard is it to fit a Kenlow or Pacet fan? So easy you'll probably spend more time "planning" than "doing" "planning" being, where can I get some nice angle to mount it on? have I got a long enough stout wire to run the electrikery down? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anglo-Frenchman Posted February 16, 2007 Author Share Posted February 16, 2007 I assume therefor that there is not a particular fan 'kit' from Kenlow or Pacet for the Land Rover that will bolt-on and that some 'adaptation' is required. Presumably there is a switch wire from the thermostat to trigger the motor but where is best place to take the power from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimAttrill Posted February 16, 2007 Share Posted February 16, 2007 I have never seen a tdi or TD5 without a viscous fan here, though doubtless there may be one out there. I have recently fitted a Disco a/c fan to the grille to help out on hot days. For some reason my Defender (with AC) was made without a pusher fan, which meant that the AC didn't work very well at low speeds. I was going to fit an extra switch but didn't want to make holes in the dash, so used the HRW switch instead as I have never used that in 11 years. Oh, I know I could have wired the fan relay into the AC clutch but I wanted to be able to use the fan with the AC off, and it came in handy occasionally on my last trip when the engine temp went over 100c. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted February 16, 2007 Share Posted February 16, 2007 Presumably there is a switch wire from the thermostat to trigger the motor but where is best place to take the power from? No, the the kit will include a thermostat that you install in your top (or bottom) radiator hose, this comes with a whel that you can rotate to alter the temperature at which the fans come on. These are a poor design and are prone to leaking, hence why everyone has suggested using the X-eng switch above. Take the power from the battery, always the best place IMHO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted February 16, 2007 Share Posted February 16, 2007 The kenlowe stat is basically an industrial boiler stat, like these sold by RS: (#250-6083) Not only are they mechanical and inaccurate, but they really don't like getting wet and the capillary makes for a less than robust install, and creates a potential leak in the hose end. There are excellent wiring instructions with the X-Fan Switch, you can even read them online: X-Fan Switch fitting instructions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anglo-Frenchman Posted February 16, 2007 Author Share Posted February 16, 2007 This is all great info - thanks very much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gromit Posted February 16, 2007 Share Posted February 16, 2007 I assume therefor that there is not a particular fan 'kit' from Kenlow or Pacet for the Land Rover that will bolt-on and that some 'adaptation' is required. Presumably there is a switch wire from the thermostat to trigger the motor but where is best place to take the power from? I got a kit similar to Kenlowe/Pacet (can't remember from where at the moment) that was a straight bolt on, with full instructions. The fan came with brackets that fitted into the existing studs on the radiator - some drilling was required. Then the bottom hose had to be removed and cut to fit the thermostat. Then a supply run from the live feed on the alternator. No real planning required. If you're not too hot on electrics/fiddling, then I'd recommend a full kit. If I was doing it again, I'd get a fan from a scrappy and X-eng's thermostat. No reason you can't go this route, as I'm sure there are lots on here that'd help you out with wiring etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muddy Posted February 16, 2007 Share Posted February 16, 2007 A Megane fan fits a treat just needs a hole for the top hose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
def110 Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 A Megane fan fits a treat just needs a hole for the top hose. Could you tell me what year of construction Megane I should look for? Also do I need a puller or pusher fan for a 300TDi (if a megane is not available) Marco Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Attryde Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 If you want to mount the fan as shown in the photo above you will want a puller fan. If you want to mount the fan in front of the rad you will be wanting a pusher fan. Hth Pete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muddy Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 erm sorry i cant really help on the model (it was cold and wet ) it was red tho to be serious it was fairly new i would say about 3-4 years old i suppose just go down and have a look? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 Take a tape measure and know how big the gap is you have to play with and just have a browse round Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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