355 Radiator Fan

My left radiator fan was not working today, I checked the fuse and the fuse was blown. Is there a reason why the fuse was blown, should I be concerned about it or is it just something that happens once in a while.

 

I do not know your car but if the fuse is blowing the 2wires are basically shorting or touching together somewhere or a device (in this case the fan) has gone bad. On my 348 there is a connector close to the fan motor that connects the fan to the wiring harness. On my 348 the rubber on that connector had basically disintegrated from age. It was just waiting to short on me (and start blowing my fuses)...I caught it before it did and fixed it.

If you car has a connector close to your fans...disconnect the fans and then see if the fuse still blows. Then plug in the fans one at a time and see if either fan causes the fuse to blow when you plug it in. Hopefully you'll find a bad connector as it's the cheapest possibility to fix. Fans aren't cheap from what I saw...but probability tells me it's probably the connection at one of your fans...that's my guess anyway LOL

On my 348 I think the left fan is fed power when the thermal switch which is located on the right radiator trips. This switch activates both fans when it "closes" and power is then provided to the fans via a relay until everything cools down. Good luck hope it's something simple to fix.

MarkG

 

The fans are cheap if you buy the identical Spal fan aftermarket, but expensive if they come with the Ferrari cavallino on them. http://www.srbymichael.com/manufacturers/spal/fans.shtml

Debris in the fan can draw too many amps for the fuse. Likewise, a wet fan can draw too many amps for the fuse. As fans age, they will draw more current, as well.

Look for debris. Install a new fuse. If the fuse blows with the fan dry and clear of debris, then it is time for a new fan.

 

Great to know about the fan link you gave. When my fans weren't turning on I checked the price and about had a coronary which is why I said they were expensive. Luckily mine was the radiator thermal switch and I had one on hand ;-) but should my fans go bad...I know now where to get one ;-) Thanks...MarkG

 

Thanks for the info, there are several types available on the link above, which one do you recomend for the 355?

 

Bah! Don't even bother asking me (I own a 348, not a 355). Instead, just call up Street Rods By Michael during business hours tomorrow and read to them your SPAL part # on your fan. They'll send that exact fan to you ranging from $85 to $130.

Cheap. Easy fix. Very easy to unbolt the old fan and bolt in the new fan. You can thank me by hammering the throttle as you pass into the next tunnel.

 

And another question; shouldn't these cooling fans run all the time, wouldn't that be beneficial to cooling the engine since it's a mid mounted and cooling is limited.

 

No, but many racers will plug the radiator bypass (thermostat) for maximum cooling on track days.

 

My passenger side (right) one just came apart. The blade piece detached itself gtom the motor. Although I have removed all the visible screws that hold it together there is no easy way to recover the outer ring that mates with the 355 mounting points. I know Street Rods sells the fan but how does one get the mount to work? Or does one engineer a fit using their outer ring?

 

I'm not certain that I've grasped what you need, but I can say that they do sell a generic kit for $10 that adjusts to a wide range of fan sizes so that you can make just about any size fan fit back onto your car's existing mounting points.

 

The correct fan is part number 00759, which is the 16" high powered puller fan 2070 cfm. It is identical to the factory fan, with the exception of the plug, which you can splice on from your old fan.

The reason the fuse blew, is that as the fans age and wear from use, they begin to draw excessive current upon start up. It is a common problem from reviewing threads here. The only solution when you start blowing fuses, is to replace the fans. That is the fix, and you will be good for many more years. Try replacing the fuse first, and see if it blows on the next few drives. If it does, time for a new fan. I blew a fuse about 2.5 years ago, but it has never recurred.

BTW, the "Fan Man" has a better price http://www.the-fan-man.com/shop/size-pull-part-2049-p-219.html?osCsid=c5b9027f5137ba744d1d40e666124cd1 His part number is 2049.