How to Remove a Radiator Cooling Fan

Iskandar Blogger 6:27 PM

A car radiator is paired with a cooling fan that blows air through the radiator to cool the engine. The radiator fan is also a part of the climate control system for the cabin. Common car overheating problems are often associated with antifreeze leakage, a stuck thermostat or a dirty radiator. A worn or malfunctioning cooling fan can cause overheating problems, too. Replace the fan as soon as possible if needed to avoid costly repairs.

Instructions

    1

    Look on the back of the radiator casing for a set of protruding electrical cables to determine if you have a belt-driven (manual) or electric cooling fan. An electric radiator and fan draws power from your vehicle's battery and has electric cables connected to them. A manual fan is driven by a belt with no wires connected to it.

    2

    Follow the electrical cable path until you find a point to disconnect them from the radiator if yours is the electric type. Another way to disconnect the power is to detach the positive contact from the battery terminal and lay it aside. Keep the negative contact on the battery terminal to properly ground your vehicle.

    3

    Remove the bolts connecting the fan shroud to the radiator with a wrench, ratchet and socket set. Place the bolts in a zip-lock bag so you don't lose them as you will need these when installing the new fan. There are usually four or five such pieces. Label the bag accordingly.

    4

    Lift the fan shroud straight up and away from the radiator to expose the fan once the bolts have been taken off.

    5

    Loosen the bolts attaching the radiator cooling fan housing to the radiator with the wrench, ratchet and socket set . Store these bolts in another zip-lock bag and label it accordingly. The number of bolts varies depending on the fan's manufacturer.

    6

    Detach the cooling fan from its place in the radiator after removing the fan housing.

    7

    Place the new fan in place on the radiator. Make sure that the new fan is compatible with the radiator.

    8

    Reinstall the fan housing and secure it with the saved bolts.

    9

    Reattach the fan shroud to the radiator and tighten the bolts.

    10

    Reconnect the power to the electric-type radiator.