Fan Problem causing smoking?

pyrophite · #1 10-30-2004, 06:04 AM

Im not a huge car guy, but i have an 89 Civic and a while back i was having problems where after driving a longer distance my car would start steaming from under the hood, i found a leak in the hoses to the radiator, so i replaced them as well as my thermostat. This seemed to help, but then i noticed eventually that if i was in stop and go traffic, or in a fast food drivethrough line, or just sitting in my car idling for a while, my temp gaudge would rise to the max. Anywho i did some checking and it looks like my radiator fan isnt working. I also wanted to mention that when im running at high RPM's (just driving at like 90 MPH in 5th gear) that i burn oil, or when i rev it too much, it starts to smoke. Could these things be related? When i stop the car it seems to have somewhat of a burning smell. Could this all be related to a radiator fan? Thanks to anyone that might have some advice.

TheSilentChamber · #2 10-30-2004, 07:23 AM

there not related. The oil burning is related to rings and/or valve seals. Test the fan by hooking it directly to the battery. If it works then your fan is good and either a sensor is bad or your fan relay is bad. Also when you replaced the hoses did you bleed all of the air from the system? That will cause it to overheat also. Here is a link to a manual, will show how to bleed the air.

http://www.binghamtonlife.com/manual/2gsm/default.htm

91civicDXdude · #3 10-30-2004, 11:43 AM

IMO, its better to test the fan by jumpering together the two terminals of the fan switch on the back of the block so that you can test the entire circuit. start big, work your way small.

pyrophite · #4 10-30-2004, 04:59 PM

I already tested the fan and KNOW it's bad, thats why i was wondering about that. So what would be the remedy for the valve rings and seals?

johnb16a2 · #5 10-31-2004, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyrophite

I already tested the fan and KNOW it's bad, thats why i was wondering about that. So what would be the remedy for the valve rings and seals?

A working fan won't remedy the rings and valve guides, only loads of money and labor are proven to permently fix oil burning.

If you don't want to spend the money try "Restore", it reduces oil consumption and may help.

Probably the car running hot all the time is causing the oil to break down, weakening it's ability to protect the engine and contributing to the ring damage in the first place, who knows...

So you have no interest in replacing the fan? You can pick one up cheap in a junkyard. GL

BTW. Hi Noob! Welcome to the forum!

pyrophite · #6 10-31-2004, 03:47 PM

the plan is to replace the fan, that shouldnt be a problem, i just would like to be able to drive my car at 90 MPH without burning a quart an hour of oil doing it. I go to college in San Diego, but i drive home to portland oregon a few times a year. When i make this drive, there are stretches of road that you drive 90+ MPH on. Well i cant do this as for every half hour i drive over 80ish miles per hour i burn about a quart of oil. Im assuming it's the higher RPM's doing it, but i dont know why, and i'd like to be able to fix it if possible (Assuming it's not going to cost me an arm and a leg)

1PhatCX · #7 10-31-2004, 06:08 PM

i'll sell u a new head, its off my old motor, valve seals were done roughly 9 months ago so there in good condition. heads in good shape. lookin for 130 plus shipping for the head complete with valves, cam etc.. its complete and like i said, recent re-built 9 months ago and in good shape. my car didnt smoke when i pulled the motor out. it ran great. this would prolly fix ur problem unless ur rings are gone. you can check that by doing a compression check

johnb16a2 · #8 10-31-2004, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyrophite

the plan is to replace the fan, that shouldnt be a problem, i just would like to be able to drive my car at 90 MPH without burning a quart an hour of oil doing it. I go to college in San Diego, but i drive home to portland oregon a few times a year. When i make this drive, there are stretches of road that you drive 90+ MPH on. Well i cant do this as for every half hour i drive over 80ish miles per hour i burn about a quart of oil. Im assuming it's the higher RPM's doing it, but i dont know why, and i'd like to be able to fix it if possible (Assuming it's not going to cost me an arm and a leg)

If you don't want to spend alot try "Restore" at your next oil change. You'll know after a few hundred miles if it helped.

It could also be your PCV valve is clogged and letting crankcase pressure go too high and push oil past the rings and valve seals. GL

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