cooling problems in my lumina

[chopperhopper]

my lumina has a 3.1 and was overheating, while looking for the reason i found a coolent leak at intake gasket under themostat housing. so far this is just a minor problem,i replaced temp senser ,themostat,switched relays ,checked fuses.. i have 2 fans one that comes on according to coolent temps ( is working good now since changing temp senser) now my problem is... that the second fan that is suppossed to come on when ac clutch is engaged is not coming on at all, i pulled out the relay and jumped across relay terminals and got fan to work but when relay is installed ,nothing ! would this be a problem with ac compresser or a related switch?

[jeffcoslacker]

Originally Posted by chopperhopper

my lumina has a 3.1 and was overheating, while looking for the reason i found a coolent leak at intake gasket under themostat housing. so far this is just a minor problem,i replaced temp senser ,themostat,switched relays ,checked fuses.. i have 2 fans one that comes on according to coolent temps ( is working good now since changing temp senser) now my problem is... that the second fan that is suppossed to come on when ac clutch is engaged is not coming on at all, i pulled out the relay and jumped across relay terminals and got fan to work but when relay is installed ,nothing ! would this be a problem with ac compresser or a related switch?

Does the A/C compressor actually engage? If the compressor doesn't come on, the fan won't either.

The intake coolant leak is common on this motor. Watch your oil and coolant closely for signs of cross-contamination.

If the compressor is not engaging, you could try jumping the terminals of the low pressure switch with the A/C on, key on but not running, and the fan should start when the clutch locks in. If the compressor isn't engaging because of low charge, this will fool it into thinking it is full. But if the motor is running, the compressor might be damaged.

[cadgear]

I noticed something quirky about my #2 fan.

When the AC is on, the fan is not..until the AC has been running approx 2 minutes. I assume this is the time it takes the condensor to start needing the extra airflow to cool the refrigerant. Of course, if the engine's been on a while, it warms the condensor anyhow, so when I click over to AC the fan jumps to life anyhow.

Just a thought?

[jeffcoslacker]

Originally Posted by cadgear

I noticed something quirky about my #2 fan.

When the AC is on, the fan is not..until the AC has been running approx 2 minutes. I assume this is the time it takes the condensor to start needing the extra airflow to cool the refrigerant. Of course, if the engine's been on a while, it warms the condensor anyhow, so when I click over to AC the fan jumps to life anyhow.

Just a thought?

You are probably right, there is probably a temp or pressure sensor that starts the fan now. I'm used to older systems. I'm gonna watch mine here in a bit and see if it's like that.

[jeffcoslacker]

You are right, my fan doesn't start with the compressor initially either.

[chopperhopper]

Originally Posted by jeffcoslacker

You are right, my fan doesn't start with the compressor initially either.

i was told my fan that is dedicated for ac is not working because outside temps are low and condenser wont build heat so there is no need for the fan to operate,,,,???????? i hope this is correct

[jeffcoslacker]

Sounds right.

[cadgear]

Only time that second fan will kick on w/o AC intervention is if the car is in a dangerously hot condition.

[chopperhopper]

thanks for the help

[Dr Sparks]

Speaking of cooling, my 97 LX is starting to run hot. These things take a special coolant, do they not? Type?

[cadgear]

Just Dex-Cool, if its 1996 or newer. Dex-Cool is orange, and "the green stuff" is..well, green. Check to see what color it is before adding.

[Dr Sparks]

Thank you.