Hi All: I was sitting in my 1995 F355 at the drive thru bank today, and started to hear all this "noise" from behind me. I opened up the hood, and saw that the fan was not turning, but it sounded as if were trying to. Anyway, drove home, shut the car off, and left the ignition on to confirm that the fan was not coming on - it wasn't (but the RH fan was). It sounded like it was trying to run, but wouldn't. I can move the fan blades with my hand, but the motor is not engaging the blade. So, I'm thinking the fan motor is bad. Has anybody experienced the same problem? If so, was the fix as simple as replacing the fan? If yes to the previous, where is the best place to get a replacement? Thanks, John
The fan blade eventually gets brittle and disconnects from the shaft of the fan motor. If you take it off you can try and get it re-attached at a place that repairs electric motors. If you need to replace it the cost is a bit steep, around $500 but the supplier of choice is http://www.ricambiamerica.com/index.php. Good luck and please keep us posted with your results.
Thanks Cavlino. I took the fan off today, and sure enough the fan blade is separated from the shaft. I'll call Daniel at Ricambi tomorrow to discuss options. Regards, John
I would definitely try a local electric motor shop in your city (check the yellow pages). They could also replace the brushes in the motor itself, extending it's service life some.
The fan is held on the motor shaft with a wimpy small washer and an 'E' clip. The fan is rotated by a pin that goes through the motor shaft and engages the fan. This pin shears, which causes the non-rotating fan then the friction melts the plastic....... . There are a few options........ If you try to fix it.... make sure the fan is centered and balanced. If not, it will have a vibration. Buy a new fan assembly with the same design but should last as long as your failed one has. Buy a used fan with the same design with an even shorter life. Though both above 'replacements' can be reinforced with a good epoxy, by removing the fan and bonding it back on. Then reinstall the washer and 'E' clip. or Buy an aftermarket electric fan. Just make sure it has a very similar CFM air flow value.
...or you could buy the OEM Ferrari SPAL fans at normal prices: http://www.srbymichael.com/manufacturers/spal/fans.shtml
Its not the cost of the fan.... its the cost of it failing .............. what about taking a road trip .......... travelling across the desert????
The 355, which is what the original poster has, should have (not certain since he has a 2.7 variant) the curved blade fans. Which is depicted there as being $125...but more importantly, one would need to match up the proper CFM, dimensions/depth, mounting holes, and ensure the correct current draw for the circuit (30amp peak, max). This "might" be the correct one: http://www.spalusa.com/fans/automated/tech_sheets/2048-2049.pdf (I can use google too ND )
I definately would not use the 'new' 3000CFM version they have that draws 60amps on start up and 30amps continuous....... ............... our current fan circuit runs a 30amp fuse.......... This one 'looks' to be the closest one IMO: 16 inch High Powered Fan Curved Blade 2070 cfm High Powered fans are 3.39 inches thick. from NDs link: http://www.srbymichael.com/manufacturers/spal/fans.shtml
Which in the "puller" version is the one I posted the more detailed and useful specs on, in the pdf file above.
That looks good ...... I overlooked the amp draw in the PDF ............... it is 19amps !!............. I wonder if that is startup draw or 'continous'??
Has to be continous. I bet the peak draw is very close to the 30amp fuse max when new. That would explain how as the motors age, they start blowing fuses all the time on start up.
That sounds correct to me ...... . Which makes it important to use Stabilant or other anti-corrosive on all connections to minimze 'amp drawing' resistance thus getting needed current where it needs it ..... to the fan .
No Doubt, I owe you a cold beer. I ordered my fan yesterday from Street Rods by Michael, $125 including delivery. The part number on the old fan is VA18-AP6-42A. I gave this info to Rose (who was great!) at SRbM, and she called Spal directly to make sure the fan they had in stock was a direct replacement. It is. I expect it to deliver on Thursday or Friday. Once I get it, I will post pics/info. Thanks to all for the comments/info. John
I'll take you up on that beer, but just wait until you go to replace your two $885 fuel pressure regulators...that are just $58 parts from RockAuto.com. Same deal.
Great news John. Could you also post the Spal part number of the new fan you receive? It would be helpful to see if it is the same as the one in the pdf I posted (VA18-AP13-59 puller). If so, then we know we have a valid cross reference to assist others in the future.
It would be sweet to see Ricambi selling fans in the Spal box with no Ferrari warranty side-by-side with Spal fans in the yellow Ferrari box with Ferrari warranty (parts and ancillary components). Customer choice sort of thing. I'd far rather buy from you.
