Hydrolic fan not working. Something I did?

[cableguynoe]

I tried (with a mechanic friend) to replace the power steering pump, which we were unable to do because no one seems to have the right pump... but that's a thread for another day.

Anyway, after putting everything back together, my car is now over heating. I pretty much figured out that the fan will not turn on at all.

Everything seems to be put together properly. The first thing that came to mind was that we took apart the plastic reseirvoir (or whatever its called) that holds the hydrolic fluid, on the passenger side. I had to fill that back up. Does it require any bleeding?

Or anyone that has experience working in the power steering pump/altenator area have any ideas as to what we might have disconnected or screwed up?

I realize it's probably hard for anyone to help me with the info i've provided, but i thought i'd give it a try. I'm kind of clueless when it comes to knowing what to look for.
I suppose the fan could have just taken a dump.... but i hope not

 

[Quik LS]

a good test - turn on the AC to full - the fan should automatically come on reguardless of engine temp.

yes - you have to bleed the system. you do it by filling it to max and then applying a vacuum to resivoir of 25in/hg while turning the AC on and engine running. Sucking any air back up into the resivoir.

 

[cableguynoe]

a good test - turn on the AC to full - the fan should automatically come on reguardless of engine temp.

yes - you have to bleed the system. you do it by filling it to max and then applying a vacuum to resivoir of 25in/hg while turning the AC on and engine running. Sucking any air back up into the resivoir.

Thank you for the info QUIK...
can you be more specific as to the where the vaccum goes? 25in/hg?

 

[Quik LS]

the dealer uses a vacuum pump the screws onto the top of the resivoir in place of the lid.

I use my brake bleader pump and wind enough tape arond the hose to fit snuggly in the resivoir top - like a cork with the hose running through it.

 

[cableguynoe]

OK, thank.

So just to confirm, since this wasn't done... this explains the fan not running at all?

 

[JINT0NIC]

On my expierence.

Fan always runs, even when engine is cold, just slower.
No vacuuming wont cause problem.

What have you done to pump? did you open it?

And.What about bleeding your cooling system?
Air in cooling system would cause overheating.

 

[cableguynoe]

And.What about bleeding your cooling system?
Air in cooling system would cause overheating.

But i know that the fan is not running. I'm trying to figure out what would cause it not to run.
Since fan isn't running, i think it's safe to say that's causing the overheating and not air in the cooling system... would this be correct?

Fan always runs, even when engine is cold, just slower.

Can someone please confirm this? Fan will always run while car is on?

vacuuming wont cause problem

I'm not sure what you mean by this.

 

[JINT0NIC]

Ok. Lets see.

Since fan isn't running, i think it's safe to say that's causing the overheating and not air in the cooling system... would this be correct?

It could be both. But of course it would overheat without fan.

I'm not sure what you mean by this.

I am trying to say, in my opinion vacuuming is not the problem there.

Try to check connection of the pump solenoid.
Have you done test with A/C on?

 

[Quik LS]

On my expierence.

Fan always runs, even when engine is cold, just slower.
No vacuuming wont cause problem.

your experience - but the fan does not always run.

the pump-to-fan pressure is very high - and air in the system will absolutely prevent enough pressure build so that the fan will not turn.

 

[bxstang20000]

Could you turn the fan by hand?
Did you pull the pressure line going to the fan where it meets the rotary vane on the fan itself? The vane has a front and a back one side has a small indent could this be installed backwards causing there to the wrong clearance and not turning the fan. Also there is a keyway are you sure thats in place otherwise it will just freewheel.

Just another idea is the belt installed properly with the correct routing?

The fan on my car would spin all the time. I never had to apply vacuum to mine it would just bleed itself.

 

[tireman]

here's the rub

The hydraulic system sucks, it WILL break down and cost you a bundle to fix it. One member or more did the switch to electric fan and were successful for about $150. Search for the link. That hydraulic system is a PITA

 

[cableguynoe]

Could you turn the fan by hand?

Yes, i made sure it wasn't obstructed.

Just another idea is the belt installed properly with the correct routing?

I like your thinking. I would have to double check this. Is it possible to install the belt improperly and everything else still work? If so, can someone please post the diagram for a 01 LS 3.9

The vane has a front and a back one side has a small indent could this be installed backwards causing there to the wrong clearance and not turning the fan. Also there is a keyway are you sure thats in place otherwise it will just freewheel.

Can you please help me understand what is the "vane" you're referring to so I can check it?

 

[bxstang20000]

I attached the belt routing diagram for the engine.

The vane is on the back of the fan. Its the internal workings of the hydraulic fan. If you remove the four bolts from the back of the fan connecting the pressure line to the fan you will see the rotary vane. But if you didnt disconnect that line from the fan you don’t need to worry about that.

 

[jt351]

The belt has to be right, groove to groove and smooth to smooth, it would be impossible to put belt on wrong, at least without getting a different length belt. I would pull the line line off, pressure or return stick it into a jug and see if it pumps at all. if it pumps it is a bad fan, if it does not pump it is the pump of course, My fan runs all the time just just real slow when cold.