if I wanted to replace the rad fans...

Eldorado · 05-03-2006, 12:11 PM

first of all, is there an easy way to do this? I've already got a replacement as the set that's in there now needs to be replaced..

I took a look and it looks like there are just some screws in the shroud around the outside that need to be undone and the fan assembly will just pop out the bottom right?

Is there an easy way to get to these screws? they're a bugger..

also, where would you safely jack the car up to get both halves of the front end off the ground?

nynor · 05-03-2006, 12:46 PM

you can jack from the cross member and put the car on stands.

you are correct about the screws around the shroud. i believe there are six.

i don't remember them being such a problem to get to. i could drop my fans in about 10 minutes or less. i always took the top screws out first, then the bottom. piece of cake.

AeroSS_87 · 05-03-2006, 03:31 PM

I hate sounding like the average 35 year old weekend home-improvement dad that only changes oil and fills the gas in his car, but I bought a set of $20 drive-on plastic ramps that I will never regret buying.

schwank · 05-03-2006, 04:21 PM

I too bought ramps since my jack can't reach the crossmember and still use the jack pump. It also makes taking the belly pans off much easier. The fan will come out super easy... 3 bolts at top and 3 on the bottom, and undo the power lines. Angle the fan back, then lift it off the support and gently slide it past the alternator and AC.

Eldorado · 05-03-2006, 04:27 PM

i bought a set of ramps last year... but returned them when i realized the front of the 944 was too low to drive up onto them...
I guess i could have bought extensions... wasn't a concern at the time.

I guess i could jack the car up onto the ramp too...

good suggestion..

bigyagi · bigyagi's Garage

yup, i ran into the same situation with the ramps, but ended up making extensions at work. even then. its still close ! the top bolts are a little fiddly, but after that its all plain sailing. are you installing the later 6 blade fans? much better than the 3 !.
bob.

Eldorado · 05-03-2006, 06:30 PM

yea i know the 6 blade fans are better, but a new set of 3 blade fans came with the car.. (I've been running a year with only one fan.. the other fan threw all 3 blades).. I'm not worried about it "cooling better" because the 1 fan with 3 blades keeps my car a needle's width below the first mark... so anything will be better than what i have.

Slam · 05-03-2006, 09:09 PM

Hey, Eldorado, one thing to watch for is to make sure you route the wiring carefully when you install the fans. Bridge the connection at the thermo switch to make sure you've got them running the right direction and throw in some yellow zip ties (grins) to keep the wiring tidy and out of the way. It's an easy job.

Eldorado · 05-03-2006, 10:32 PM

the fans on there now just have plugs that plug into the vertical face of the fans themselves. why can i just unplug them, replace the fans, and plug them in again?

AeroSS_87 · 05-04-2006, 04:26 AM

A couple 2x4's at least a foot in length should fix the clearance issues. I had to have all sorts of crap like that ready for a ricer to come into my tire store a few years ago. There's always someone with a 91 accord 4dr that has heated springs under it... nothing like 2.3 cm ground clearance!!!

schwank · 05-04-2006, 07:40 AM

Weird... I bought some Rhino Ramps and had no problem at all driving my car up onto them with the front air dam still attached.

My car is at stock ride height though.

Slam · 05-04-2006, 08:26 AM

"the fans on there now just have plugs that plug into the vertical face of the fans themselves. why can i just unplug them, replace the fans, and plug them in again?"

You can. It's just a good idea to keep loose wiring away from the alternator belt. The connectors are virtually idiot-proof, but I'm always an idiot at 3 in the morning after a 10-hour wrenching session, so I check stuff like that.

bearone2 · 05-04-2006, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Slam
Hey, Eldorado, one thing to watch for is to make sure you route the wiring carefully when you install the fans. Bridge the connection at the thermo switch to make sure you've got them running the right direction and throw in some yellow zip ties (grins) to keep the wiring tidy and out of the way. It's an easy job.

why bridge the connection?

if you have it backwards the fan will push air out the front, rather than pulling, just turn the connector around. btdt.

ramps are great.

Slam · 05-04-2006, 09:47 AM

Bridging the connection there will turn the fans on and tell you right away if you've got the wiring backwards. It's better than waiting for the car to heat up while it's running.

nynor · 05-04-2006, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by schwank
Weird... I bought some Rhino Ramps and had no problem at all driving my car up onto them with the front air dam still attached.

My car is at stock ride height though.

rhino ramps? where can i get these animals?