I recently had E Fans installed on my TB. Since the Carolina summer heat has set the TB has been running around 230 Degrees my truck has never ran that hot. I thought it may be my coolant needing to be change, nope still running hot, radiator was just replaced about 3 years ago. I have no idea what is going on.
E Fans running hot
- Thread starter andy702252
- Start date
I dont know any more info, im hoping the Guys from PCMFORLESS will chime in, they installed so idk anything.
Mooseman
Moderator
You're the second one to have issues with their fan setup. The other one's fan failed (as well as having heating issues) http://gmtnation.com/f25/removing-my-pcm4less-electric-fan-3901/ . 230 isn't too bad. Is this actual temperature via an OBD scanner or is this with the dash gauge? The gauge is considered as being inaccurate most of the time unless confirmed as good via the scanner.
MacMan
Member
- Mar 3, 2012
- 194
Mooseman said:
Regardless of whether or not it's not "too bad", temp-wise, it's still hotter than the OP saw before the eFan install. The idea behind them is to have the vehicle run just as cool as before, but without the HP loss from the fan.
Since PCMforless was the actual installer, I'd be right back to their shops to have it fixed, replaced, or removed.
Mooseman
Moderator
MacMan said:
Although you do have a point, it's practically impossible to have it running as cool as before, except when moving, because of the nature of efans. They kick in at a set temperature, which is likely higher than the temperature seen previously. And if it's a two step speed control (like mine), it could go to the next set temperature before the full speed kicks in. The old fan ran all the time, even if it wasn't commanded, due to frictional losses so it always pulled air and the PCM keeps a tight control of the temperature. I remember my old Chevy Citation with its old style mechanical switch would kick in the fan at 230f or so.
I'm gonna have to hook up my ELM327 and the Torque app to our '08 Montana van to see when it kicks in the fans. Would be interesting to see what temperatures GM programmed. Just have to figure a way to disable just the low speed to see what the high temperature it will engage full on cooling. Or maybe I'll just block the radiator.
I wonder if it would be as simple as redesigning the shroud. Something like either one of these, in appropriate size of course.
JEGS Performance Products 52065 JEGS Fan Shrouds & Fan Shroud Kits
Summit Racing SUM-381106 - Summit Racing® Aluminum Fan Shrouds - Overview - SummitRacing.com
JEGS Performance Products 52065 JEGS Fan Shrouds & Fan Shroud Kits
Summit Racing SUM-381106 - Summit Racing® Aluminum Fan Shrouds - Overview - SummitRacing.com
Mooseman
Moderator
Right now, I'm thinking that a single fan is not enough no matter the CFMs. In that other thread, someone mentioned this fan set: Derale Cooling Products 16927 - Derale Performance High Output Dual RAD Fan and Shroud Kits - Application - SummitRacing.com
Dual fans on a shroud and flaps to let air through while moving. Makes more sense to me.
Dual fans on a shroud and flaps to let air through while moving. Makes more sense to me.
Mooseman said:
That's a good looking set up. Its cheaper than the similar Flex-a-Lite fans but I think it may compromise a little cfm, IDK. Would this controller be best for it,
Flex-a-lite 31163 - Flex-a-lite Variable Speed Controllers - Overview - SummitRacing.com. How would you wire it up?
HARDTRAILZ
Moderator
- Nov 18, 2011
- 49,665
andy702252 said:
marshall@pcm said:Send an email to sales@pcmforless.com and we'll get you taken care of.
Let us know how this works out please. E-fans were not used on the I6 by many people for a long time since no one could seem to get a set-up that keeps the temps down. Maybe PCMforless jumped the gun on offering this kit and it will still not work as previous people found when trying to do efans with this motor.
Mooseman
Moderator
Mypetropig said:That's a good looking set up. Its cheaper than the similar Flex-a-Lite fans but I think it may compromise a little cfm, IDK. Would this controller be best for it,
Flex-a-lite 31163 - Flex-a-lite Variable Speed Controllers - Overview - SummitRacing.com. How would you wire it up?
I dunno if that controller would work with big dual fans. It says it can handle single or dual but I since it's a variable speed, it might have trouble with high currents. I can't find full specs on it. Crazy thing though, I found a cheaper place, Newegg of all places!
Newegg.com - Flex-a-lite 31163 Electric Fan Variable Speed Control Module
For a single fan, might be the way to go.
anthonyl79
Member
I decided to run an E-fan finally. The clutch on mine went bad so I had to do something. After looking around for the perfect controller I decided on the Spal pwm-v3 and a Spal 16" extreme performance straight blade fan. I had a aluminum shroud made that fit the entire radiator with the fan centered. If anyone wants pics I can get them. After the install I had to set the tempature on the controller, I used a Solus Snap-On scanner to set the tempature. I set it to come on at 205. When this controller commands the fan on, comes on at 60% and increase to 100% as the engine tempature continues to rise. The high side I set to 220 degrees. So far it has been a hot summer this year in Colorado and I have not had the fan come to 100% yet. The fan come on for about 15 to 20 seconds while I sit in traffice and then turn off for 5 - 10 minutes. I do believe that having the right combo of fan, controller and shroud you can E-Fan these motors and have them work just fine.
Pics would be great. I really want to e-fan mine and thought the one from pcmforless was the ticket but they seem to have an issue with the shroud. Maybe they will get it worked out shortly. If you don't mind me asking, how much did your set up cost? Would it be possible to get a diagram of how its wired?
anthonyl79
Member
Mypetropig said:
On the wiring that would be tough, I can tell you what I tapped into, but good luck finding the same controller. I had a hard time finding the one that I got. Spal has quit making that one due to new fan technology coming out. The did say they are making a new controller when I contacted them about the one that I got. I found it in a classifieds section on some random Ford Lighting forum. I tapped in for the sending unit signal at the PCM and the A/C power on at the power out side of the realy at the fuse box. Here are some pics. Forgot to mention fan was 170 and controller was 100. Shroud was made at a friends sheetmetal shop free of cost.
View attachment 22646
Attachments
Mooseman
Moderator
Very nice and clean looking setup. My only concern is the restricted airflow while cruising or at highway speed. There's nowhere for the air to go but through the fan. I saw this one at Summit Racing and though that it was smart to add openings with rubber flaps. The flaps would open while cruising but the suction from the fans would keep them closed.
Derale Cooling Products 16927 - Derale Performance High Output Dual RAD Fan and Shroud Kits - Overview - SummitRacing.com
But if it seems to work for you
Derale Cooling Products 16927 - Derale Performance High Output Dual RAD Fan and Shroud Kits - Overview - SummitRacing.com
But if it seems to work for you
anthonyl79
Member
Mooseman said:Very nice and clean looking setup. My only concern is the restricted airflow while cruising or at highway speed. There's nowhere for the air to go but through the fan. I saw this one at Summit Racing and though that it was smart to add openings with rubber flaps. The flaps would open while cruising but the suction from the fans would keep them closed.
Derale Cooling Products 16927 - Derale Performance High Output Dual RAD Fan and Shroud Kits - Overview - SummitRacing.com
But if it seems to work for you
I have thought about that, but at this time i have not had any problems. Like i said the only time that the fan comes on is sitting in traffic. I drive 40 miles one way on the highway and the fan does not come on. So i would say right now it stays cool enough.
Mooseman
Moderator
How does the controller handle the A/C? Where did you hook it up? My problem is finding a way to have the fans stay on when the clutch cycles on/off.
anthonyl79
Member
Mooseman said:
I hooked up the the 12 supply to the clutch on the relay. The controller waits 15 seconds after the A/C is engaged and then 30 seconds after it disengages. So that way the fans stay on the entire time.
Mooseman
Moderator
That's perfect. I'll wait and see what Spal comes out with to replace the pwm-v3. Dual fan control would be perfect.
anthonyl79
Member
Mooseman said:
The pwm is a dual fan controller. They said new fan technology brushless ia coming so that is the big change.
fadyasha
Member
- Dec 21, 2011
- 1,134
I heard of these problems too, that's why held back on ordering mine. Kelly couldn't confirm to me whether their setup would be enough to handle the heat here in my area in specific. I found a local guy that did a Dual Fan setup taken from a Holden CSV for a Trailblazer SS. I'm not entirely sure how these fans are setup but i'm gonna pay him a visit this weekend.
on a side note I had a 75 Mercedes benz that I custom fit an Air Conditioning unit in. We installed a Fan and what was done is having a on / off button for the fan. lol! Once on it stays on
on a side note I had a 75 Mercedes benz that I custom fit an Air Conditioning unit in. We installed a Fan and what was done is having a on / off button for the fan. lol! Once on it stays on
Scott750
Member
- Aug 20, 2012
- 5
I've got a TBSS and finally got the LS1 efans from pcm4less with their 3-relay harness. It runs the fans off/low/high.
I too was very reluctant to switch to efans fearing the horror stories of not keeping cool, especially here in Texas. Although I missed the 110* summer days this year, I have been running it in some warm Fall days of upper 80s.
So far the fans run on low 95% of the time. I'm also monitoring the temps with an ELM327 bluetooth obd2 adapter and Torque app that tells me the exact coolant temp from the ECM. My temps stay at 192* all the time, even dipping to 185*. and only tick up to 200* at a stoplight. Once moving its instantly back down again.
I'm not sure if the I6 tb's have the same size radiator as the TBSS's, but if they do I'd highly recommend a dual fan setup.
I too was very reluctant to switch to efans fearing the horror stories of not keeping cool, especially here in Texas. Although I missed the 110* summer days this year, I have been running it in some warm Fall days of upper 80s.
So far the fans run on low 95% of the time. I'm also monitoring the temps with an ELM327 bluetooth obd2 adapter and Torque app that tells me the exact coolant temp from the ECM. My temps stay at 192* all the time, even dipping to 185*. and only tick up to 200* at a stoplight. Once moving its instantly back down again.
I'm not sure if the I6 tb's have the same size radiator as the TBSS's, but if they do I'd highly recommend a dual fan setup.