[Shotimes] '94 ATX dual cooling fans

[Kevin & Cheryl Airth]

Mark:
 This is pretty much pointing to a partially clogged radiator. Since our
SHO's are Aluminum head and iron block it's more important to regularly
change anti-freeze. If that's not done and very few cars are maintained then
you will see a slow increase in how quickly the car builds heat. The other
suggestions you got are possible suspects too. How long ago was the
anti-freeze changed? Thermostat and sender? One of my SHO's would only do
this in extreme conditions. I got stuck in traffic because of an accident
and the car had to idle about 2+ hours in 95 F temperatures with A/C running
full out. My outside air temperature hit a peak of 126F.! The car would hold
at the N mark and not boil over but less than a year later running on the
highway would cause the temperature gauge to slowly climb and stay are a
level higher than I normally saw it. Finally changed the radiator and
everything went back to normal.
One last item. Have you checked or changed your radiator cap? They ALL go
bad after 6-8 years so unless you can pressure test yours, change it!
.
.



> We had our first 80 degree day on Friday at afternoon rush hour, stuck in
> parking lot traffic on the DC Beltway and my recently acquired SHO
overheated.
>
> Up till now, she's been cycling right around the "R" (of "NORMAL") on my
15
> mile / half-hour runs to and from work in 30-60 degrees.  After about 45
> minutes in stop and go, it had crept up to the top of the "O", and I
bailed to
> surface streets when it pegged "N" ... and missed a GREAT party in
Annapolis!  ;-(
>
> During that time when it went through "O" to "N" I believe there was a
> problem with the top range of the fans because there seemed to be
excessive whine
> and at times, a whiff of burning insulation.  Naturally, fear of an under
hood
> fire also pushed my decision.
>
> Fortunately after getting in normally moving traffic at neighborhood
speeds,
> by the time I got home the needle was right back where it usually is.  No
more
> excess noise or smells either.
>
> I believe it did this one time earlier also.  It overheated on the way
home
> from work and had the same symptoms.  But since I had the original 'stat
from
> when I bought the car a month earlier, we pulled it and it was busted.  So
that
> seemed to be the "OBVIOUS" cause!  <G>  But in retrospect I think the fan
was
> also complaining.  Both fans do blow air "in the driveway", but it seems
in
> the top range "on the road" there is a bearing or windings problem with
one of
> the motors in question.
>
> By the symptoms, I assume it's the auxiliary fan, or let's say "Whatever
> kicks in at the top end is the likely culprit".  Is that the fan on the
driver's
> side or the one on the passenger side?  Should I be considering other
> possibilities?  Is there any shade tree way to check for adequate radiator
flow?  The
> entire rest of the cooling system was changed last month.
>
> Also, it looks like a breeze (yuk, yuk) to lift the fan assembly out, do
any
> of the fasteners require the assistance of a double jointed spider monkey
or
> any other gotchas?  Or is this truly an "easy days" fix as it looks like?
>
> Thanks team,
> Mark LaBarre
> '94 ATX 125k
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