Radiator Fan: Functions and Causes of Its Damage
The car radiator fan is one of the important components where the function of the radiator fan is to circulate air into the engine through the grille on the radiator.
The cooling system or also called the cooling system is one component that is needed by a vehicle. The engine coolant is used to maintain the engine temperature so it doesn't overheat. One component of the cooling system is the radiator fan
As the owner of a vehicle such as a car. do you already know the meaning, function, how it works and what can cause the fan to malfunction? Here's a full explanation.
Definition of Radiator Fan
The cooling fan is one of the components that is useful for flowing air into the engine through the grille on the radiator. The air that enters the engine will be very useful when the car is stopped.
The fan has two types, namely manual fan and electric fan. Manual fans are driven by a crankshaft, while electric fans are driven by an electric motor. The engine fan cooling or electric fan is intentionally made to replace the conventional fan driven by pulleys.
The purpose of replacing the conventional coolant is none other than so that the car engine can work more economically and efficiently.
Radiator Fan Function
Judging from the name, at first glance you may have an idea of the duties of the cooling fan. So, to make it clearer what the function of the radiator fan is, the following will be explained in more detail.
One of the functions of the radiator fan is to keep the cooling water at a temperature that is in accordance with the engine temperature while working. In addition, the fan function also functions to cool the temperature of the AC condenser to keep it in normal condition.
Another function of the electric fan can also make the engine load lighter and more efficient. Yes, it is undeniable indeed, the existence of an electric fan can make fuel more efficient.
This is because the fan will spin when the cooling water is at too high a temperature. The electric fan will only stop rotating if the cooling water is already at the appropriate temperature for the engine's working temperature, so that less fuel is released.
How the Radiator Fan Works
The car radiator fan is located behind the radiator. The workings of the cooling fan are of two kinds, which are distinguished based on the fan drive. So that you can know more clearly, here is an explanation.
- Crankshaft Driven Fan
The crankshaft driven cooling fan will run continuously when the engine is running. Between the crankshaft and the manual fan are connected via a pulley and a belt.
The rotational speed generated from the fan is also very dependent on the speed of the rotating machine. If the engine rotates at high speed, the fan will also spin faster.
However, if the engine is running at a low speed, the fan will also spin slower. This type of manual fan is generally installed in front of the water pump. The movement of the fan resulting from the rotation of the crankshaft of this kind is felt to increase the load on the engine.
If the load received by the engine increases, automatically the fuel required will also increase. In addition, the fan will also make noise when working. Therefore, to solve this problem, the fan uses a clutch.
- Electric Motor Driven Fan
The second type of cooling fan is driven by an electric motor. This kind of fan no longer utilizes the rotation generated from the crankshaft as a driving force for the cooling fan. However, the electric fan will rotate when the electric motor is energized.
The electric motor used in this type of fan is DC, which is the type of direct current. The electric fan uses a sensor called a water temperature sensor (WTS). The sensor will detect the temperature of the water in the engine.
Now, if the water has reached the set temperature, the WTS will send a report to the ECU. Next, the ECU will send a voltage signal to the fan relay. Therefore, the fan relay status becomes active and the electric motor will be electrified.
In this condition, the electric motor will work to drive the cooling fan. Basically, there are a lot of advantages that this electric radiator fan has, one of which is that the engine is not overburdened. So, the fuel needed is not too much.
Causes of Damaged Radiator Fan
Continuous maintenance is one way to make the cooling fan last longer.
However, this treatment does not mean that the fan cannot be damaged. The following are some of the causes that can cause the cooling fan to malfunction.
- Visco Fan Broken
One of the causes of a damaged cooling fan is because the visco on the fan is damaged. Visco fan is a fan that uses oil as a speed regulator.
The way a visco fan works is very dependent on the rotation produced by the engine. If the engine is at a low temperature, the visco fan will slip so the fan rotates slowly, and vice versa. Well, if the visco is damaged, the fan rotation automatically becomes irregular.
- Fan Belt on Fan Disconnect
If the fan belt on your car's engine cooling fan is cut, it is certain that the fan will not be able to spin. However, some cars are actually equipped with power steering so that when the fan belt is disconnected, the fan continues to spin.
So, fans that stop when the fan belt is disconnected are only found in conventional cooling fans. The function of the fan belt itself is as a liaison between the engine and the fan, so that rotation occurs.
The fan belt break can be caused by the rubber belt being brittle because it has been used for a long time or it can also be due to exposure to fluids such as oil or brake fluid.
- Connector Cable on Fan Disconnected
Another cause of damage to the cooling fan is because the connector cable is disconnected. A disconnected connector cable will cause the electric current to stop, so the fan cannot spin. The cause of the disconnection of the connector cable can be due to a damaged socket or a pinched cable.
In addition, the connector cable can also be cut off due to being bitten by an animal. It may also be due to the age of the cable which is old and worn. To prevent disconnection of the connector cable, it's a good idea to check its condition regularly so that the cooling fan can work properly.
- Cooling Fan Fuse Blown
Another reason the cooling fan is damaged is due to a blown fuse. The fuse has a function to prevent the entry of electric current into the circuit, so that there is no overvoltage. Well, if the fuse is blown and the incoming electric current is not controlled, then the fan will be damaged.
If at any time you find the radiator fan in a damaged condition, it is better to immediately take it to the nearest authorized Auto repair shop for immediate repair.
After repair, take good care of it so that the fan lasts longer and the car engine can work optimally.
