Radiator fan, less expensive replacement?

[mfriquel]

I had my radiator fan recently replace with a bit smaller used fan from a Nissan with 4 blades, I was in a road trip and it was my only option , but it works great. I think im just going to keep it in there.

[rotaecho]

You may have verified this already, but compared to my old/failing fan motor it is a way more silent.

I can't hear it running on low when in the van, but can outside the fan. I felt the air pull from the radiator too.

I haven't been able to get the high to kick on while driving yet, but tested it while doing my electrical to it.

[68fish]

[tetonclimberhiker]

I'm looking for an answer to the question of wether I can replace by noisy radiator fan with a new original replacement model like the one van-cafe sells without removing the radiator? Can this be done? I recently had Small Car install the in dash AC system in my 88 Vanagon without factory AC. My van has a 2.5 Suby motor. Since the install my fan is working almost non stop when the AC is on. One thing they don't mention is that the entire system is dependent on this fan functioning correctly. It seems to me that relying on 25 year old fan is a super weak link in this system. One would think they would have worked through this scenario and have come up with a modern fan system to go with a modern AC set up. But this is where I am now. I'm thinking replacing the fan might be good insurance and hopefully remedy some of the reason the fan is turning on so much. Any thought would be greatly appreciated. Or if there is another thread I should go to.

TetonClimberhiker

[FrankenSubySyncro]

[Howesight]

[mdbww]

I just found this topic by searching for an alternative fan option.. many of the symptoms spoken about here i have. I'm currently working through them.

I have an mTDI AHU with the SC dash ac, high powered SA lights etc.. I also ran a new blue sea fuse block under behind the passenger dash with some 4 gauge. this is now my power for the lights, ac fan and rad fan and other little bits. that helped. one of my favourite mods so far was putting in the LED light kit for tail lights, side lights etc.. nice big drop there.

then i adjusted my IP to get me to a happy 950 idle, otherwise the draw of the fan, compressor etc was close to stalling the van when it was at 700 rpm. its much happier now.

still working on it though... hence why i was curious if anyone had used a spal fan or similar (zirgo).

can anyone tell me which fan i have in my van? bosch 0 130 302 204 is this the dual or triple stage you guys are speaking of? also, any idea what year its off? I'm not sure if this one was stock on 83 diesels.. VAGCAT DOWN!!! WHY!!!!!

i have 2 rads (one for engine coolant, the other for after cooler) and a condenser. no chance of putting a pusher fan.. its packed. so i was thinking of relocating the condenser where the spare usually lives (spare is on tail). then giving the condenser its own low powered spal type fan. this way, the engine rad fan is left alone and the spal can run all it wants.

don't mean to hijack the thread.. just want to keep a nice topic going and add my .02c

thoughts? helpful?
_________________
'83 Vanagon mTDI NAHT - Naartjie SupaZ
'89 golf syncro > 1.8t haldex project - Little Thunder

[Honuak]

Resurrecting this thread
I have an 87 syncro that had AC (removed) and the fan just started making a lot of noise...a lot more noise that the considerable amount it already made.
So looking to fix. Can the fan be replaced with out major surgery? (removing the radiator).
VC has an aftermarket $olution, other good options?

[termuehlen]

Gowesty sells the VW fan for $300. I replaced mine last summer. For my 2WD, I did lower the radiator but did not have to disconnect any of the radiator hoses or drain any coolant. Not sure about a Syncro

Here is more info:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=596575&highlight=radiator+fan+install
_________________
1988 Westfalia automatic Subaru OBD1
1986 syncro tintop wbx

[shagginwagon83]

This thread is awesome. I'm looking to upgrade my radiator fan because its starting to make some noise. I could take it apart - but I think it would be best to replace it with another VW fan.

I have an 83.5 van with A/C (I think dealer installed). I think I'm going to try this.
_________________
Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan

[fxr]

[shagginwagon83]

[fleetwood41]

Mine locked up a couple years ago - completely seized. I'm lucky I didn't burn my motor to smithereens climbing these hills.

I replaced with the VC/RMW: https://www.vancafe.com/251959455M-p/251959455m.htm

Straight forward install and sounds more like a Cessna than a 747.

Even if it is cheaper somewhere else, the service and responsiveness from RMW is worth it (to me).
_________________
1987 2WD w/ 2.5 Subi & Poptop Conversion

[shagginwagon83]

[LemonCove]

Another option from a VW aftermarket supplier I didn't see mentioned here: CIP1 - $171 delivered

https://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VWC%2D251%2D959%2D455%2DM

Impressed thus far, box says made in Denmark, and includes the fan blade.

VanCafe & GoWesty were out of stock. BusDepot has it, but being on the west coast, I could get it delivered faster (and with free shipping).

Note: In checking the website, I see it's now out of stock. But worth checking when you're in the market ("email when it's back in stock")
_________________
'88 Bostig Westy

[shagginwagon83]

[crazyvwvanman]

That CIP1 fan isn't compatible with the vans this thread is initially about. This thread was about vans that use the smaller fan motor. That link is the larger fan motor. It won't bolt up to the fan shroud meant for the smaller motor and it can pull more amps than the small motor van wiring can handle. Their baloney about swapping fan blades to use it in the other application is just that, baloney. Both the small motor and large motor use a 305mm fan. It is the physical size of the motor that is different, with different mounting bolt pattern and different wiring needed.


As an aside, while the JP Group is based in Denmark and they mention Denmark on their boxes much of what is inside the boxes is made places far from Denmark, such a a place that starts with C and ends with A.Of course they are not alone in this misleading packaging game.

Mark