Electric Fans

[MORGSTER]

An aditional comment is the 13 inch fan was only $45.00. That savings, along with the reassurance of also having the stock pully fan setup, is better to me, than the possible horsepower gains, advertised by the dual $250.00 replacement fan set up would be. (For now?)

[MORGSTER]

P.S. Sillsmack....Thanks for the idea [img]images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[MORGSTER]

Update since original post:

During a hot spell here in California, I noticed the temp gauge reading about 220, which is higher than usual. Always keeping my Jeep in good running order, I decided to go through my complete system and replaced the radiator, water pump, thermostat, hoses, coolant. (A benefit of having a Jeep for years is replacment parts under warranty at no cost)
All of these changes made no difference in the temp reading. Leaving only a few options other than internal problems, I decided to replace the temp sender. (Solved)Now it runs 195 degrees all day all night, no change. (195 degree t-stat)

Never thought the sender would create a false reading. I was used to working or not)[addsig]

[MORGSTER]

Jeeper89

Getting a good operating motor to run cool really isn't a problem and too cool is not always the right thing to do. Remember the Jeep has a computer, which needs a (195? approx) degree thermostat to operate the systems properly. My thought is to run electric fan or fans for consistent cooling at slow (Rock Crawling) speeds while offroading. 120+ degree (Summer) outside air temps can wreak havoc on cooling. The system is originally designed to handle it, but age and mileage usually hinder that a bit. I am looking for information (People who actually use these fans for primary cooling) about the quality of cooling, noise from electric fans, and relialability over stock and horsepower or torque gains. Is it really worth the cost?

Thanks for your input 8-)
[addsig]

[MORGSTER]

Bluebelle:

Good reply.
Obviously new vehicles are equipped with electric fans that are reliable and probably add to fuel efficiency too. But these are usually small, high reving motors in light cars. That are not used for Idle speeds in 120 degree temps for 8 hours at a time out in the boonies.
My son just said. If it works so good, why don't they put electric fans on the new Jeeps? (I said good one, find out and let me know..... Kids, ya gotta love em)

There seem to be good points for both sides.
I guess I'll just have to install one and see for myself.

8-) :-D :-O ;-) [addsig]

[bluebelle]

You’ll have to forgive me; my experience is building high horse big blocks in 60's fords. this is my first jeep. The physics around gas engines is fairly consistent so one should apply to another. My drive has always been to squeeze every last hp out of that block, so that's why the electric fan forum caught my eye.

I found some good research on the flex-a-late web page http://www.flex-a-lite.com
They sell both manual and electric and presented both + and -'s fair.

You may want to ask your son (yes, you gotta love 'em for we were there too. we have 4 ourselves) to remember that the jeep was made to make money as a primary goal. The fact that we can have so much fun is secondary.

By the way, did you know that there was a factory-installed restrictor in the air box that pops out increasing your airflow by at least 100%? Cool trick i learned about on line. I’ll walk you through the removal if you're interested
[addsig]

[MORGSTER]

Bluebelle:

Did you install the electric fan or did it come with your Jeep?
Did you remove the stock fan,clutch and shroud?
If so was there any noticable power difference or noise?
Is the new electric fan hooked up to a thermostat for automatic on and off?
Is your electric fan a puller mounted between the radiator and the motor?
Are you using a fan shroud?
If you had to do it over would you spend the money?

Thanks, Morgster 8-) [addsig]

[MORGSTER]

By the way, my son is 5 years old going on 30. [addsig]

[bluebelle]

Did you install the electric fan or did it come with your Jeep?
I installed

Did you remove the stock fan, clutch and shroud?
Removed all

If so was there any noticable power difference or noise?
You can hear the fan cycle, and yes there is a power increase, but in reality that’s probably because I want to feel it. We’d need to put her on a dyno to really know just how many hp’s were gained. The company claims around 17

Is the new electric fan hooked up to a thermostat for automatic on and off?
The kit comes with a thermo and is all auto. I will wire the manual switch later for better control.

Is your electric fan a puller mounted between the radiator and the motor?
Puller and just fits between the pump and the rad with ¼” to spare (whew)

Are you using a fan shroud?
The kit comes with a very impressive shroud and mount kit.

If you had to do it over would you spend the money?
It was my first mod. Yes absolutely. I like the idea of helping the engine cool down after the key is off. Mechanical fans cannot do that and there is no arguing that getting the heavy mech fan off the pump is better for the engine.
[addsig]

[MORGSTER]

I don't know if I would make that change.
Two years ago at HDR (High Desert Roundup) My partner showed up with his locked and loaded TJ. He arrived late and with the first run eariler that expected there was no time to remove his hard top. It was hot and we ran the whole day, (I admit) with the air conditioning on. Although some Jeepers would cringe, I was impressed. (And not to mention comfortable)
This 4.0 automatic ran without breaking a sweat. The temp gauge ran at 200 all day, A/C on, without ever moving. I don't know if you can or would wan't to try improving on that.[addsig]

[MORGSTER]

Bluebelle:
This afternoon I talked to several Jeepers that have also made the electrical fan change. With their info and your glowing report, it's time to take the plunge.
Parts are on the way.
Thanks. Morgster [addsig]

[Bounty__Hunter]

I run an electric fan on my '95 2.5L YJ with no problems. I use a parts-store 16" reversible fan for $60 :-D [addsig]

[MORGSTER]

Dingus:
On a YJ
There are four nuts to remove the clutch and fan.
Replacing the nuts holds the pully in place.
There are four bolts that hold the fan shroud.
That's it........... 5 minute job.
This can all be done without removing the radiator or hoses.

8-) [addsig]

[Tug-n-pull]

Thanks Sir will be looking into this! Tug[addsig]

[bluebelle]

Tug and Morgster. Check this out. Flex-a-lite from Summit Racing (best mail retailer from my experience) sells BOTH the Wrangler fan and the Black Magic fan. BOTH will fit the Wrangler but the Magic pulls much more air for about the same price. I had both fans on my kitchen counter at the same time to compare.

The Wrangler fan is an entirely different bolt-on unit designed for those that are less mechanically proficient - a much broader bolt-on market out there. It has 'special brackets' that allow the unit to be directly installed to the rad frame. The Magic has a universal mount but no big deal to rig.

Although the Magic is a larger unit, it still fit behind my rad (1/4 inch clearance) I used bolts rather than stud/nuts that are stock to increase the clearance.

If you're going to the expense and trouble (mostly expense $$$) go for the 2200 cfm Magic. The differences are well presented on the Flex-a-lite web page.
[addsig]

[bluebelle]

morgster, i spoke with a tech rep at flex-a-lite who recommended to go with the most draw as possible such as the 2800 cfm (think i mistakenly said 2200 earlier) - as big a unit as you can squeeze behind the rad. As for your posting, one thing noticeable without the clutch fan is the engine is 'snappier' with the throttle. Make no mistake; you can hear that fan whir when it kicks in.

The 150 barely fit between the pump and the rad. Had to make some mods.

The steeper blade angle will certainly draw more air - and make more noise as well.
The 150 appeared to be made sturdier than the wrangler fan - so the equal price may be for those snazzy brackets that the wrangler comes with (think they were cast aluminum). The 150's steel brackets are not that cool, but after all, they only hold the fan shroud up against the rad.

It pulls so much i use the fan when parking like a trolling motor [addsig]

[bluebelle]

tug & morgster, did i mention that i run my 150 fan directly to the batt so she can cool down after i cut the ignition? rather than climbing to 240 once the engine stops (because the 'mech fan's no longer spinning) she can use the fan as needed to keep her right around 200.

funny too; people turn their heads when her fan starts up (you can hear it 20 feet away) and the motor's off. not unusual for other cars, but in a yj?

:-O [addsig]

[bluebelle]

what are you referring to, gspot?[addsig]

[bluebelle]

What does 420 mean and what is all this reference to drinking and drugs?

More importantly - why is this dialog in the 'electric fans' posting?

I pull-up the electric fans posting trying to see how cooling issues have developed and now i'm back in junior high with all this ridiculous behavior.

'My jeep's bigger than your jeep!' 'You’re a jerk' 'no, you're a jerk'

C'mon you guys, lighten-up. Leave JE420EP alone - let it rest. JE420EP, please do the same. Let’s get back to the matter at hand - improving our rigs and enjoying these postings.

blue
[addsig]

[bluebelle]

Morgster,

Sounds my rig when the engine's off. People get startled when the fan kicks in. :-O

Just think - before, your motor just kept getting hotter, and hotter, and hotter. We didn't know how hot it became once the mech. fan stopped spinning.

In a Wrangler? they say.

Glad it worked out for you. I love mine.

blue [addsig]