I believe my car is overheating because of a faulty fan. It is a 2005 SEDAN (edit), but it is salvage title, so they won't tell me if the fan is faulty and needed the extended warranty

Now before you tell me my problem is because it is salvaged, let me tell you that is not the problem. My car has a straight frame, it hasn't been taken apart, the bolts to the frame have never been removed. It wasn't damaged in the engine, only on the side and interior damage, my car was stolen and replaced by insurance

I get overheating during traffic on a hot day. My fluid levels stay the same if it doesn't overheat, so I don't think it's a leak or anything like that. I think it's the fan. But they do come on, I'm just not sure if they work properly. My car goes back to normal heat if I turn on the heater, and I also stopped running the AC so it keeps the car cooler. I don't have much money right now to let the mechanic figure it out, I've checked the thermostat, water pump, my radiator doesn't look clogged, is it the fan motors like the recall?? Thanks for your expertise!!

 

FYI, you're in the sedan section. Have you tried burping the system to see if there are air bubbles? If there are air bubbles the coolant will not circulate. Search for coolant DIY for info on how to burp the system. It is pretty easy.

 

I have burped the system and it didn't resolve it. I didn't know the fan issue was for coupes only! Well. Now I am unsure what the problem is, I do have a sedan

 

Pull off the front bumper and grille and check out the rad to see if the air fins are bent or damaged. With poor air flow, it can cause the system to overheat when the car is not moving.

 

They are pretty straight, not too much clogged. I haven't pulled off the bumper and grill, but I've checked them out as much as I could with it on and I don't think that is the problem.

I've been worried that I have a warped head or something, but it doesn't lose any fluid when it stays the right operating temperature. Been monitoring it for months.

 

If you don't think you have a blown head gasket, then I'd take off the bumper, straighten out any bent fins, and give it a good blow out with an air hose. Then burp the coolant system and make sure theres definitely no air left in the system.

Look around the heads as well just to double check for any leaks that may be caused from a blown gasket. Ya never know.

 

Have you tried replacing the radiator cap? If not you might try that. Believe it or not, cars can overheating from a faulty radiator cso, and it is an easy fix. I would stick with Oem

 

When I was flipping through old maintenence logs when I bought my 05 sedan it had the fan failure which caused the car to overheat. The previous owner paid an insane amount to replace the fans. I want to say 800+

 

OP: The faulty fan issue was not a recall but an extension of the new car warranty. Sedans were affected too because I got the letter. There is time and mileage limit. Unfortunately, a salvage title voids that warranty.

After you burped, did you fill to the correct level? Do you have coolant in the overflow tank? You should...between the min and max level.

Also, does your car overheat with both the A/C on and off?

 

Yes, one of the first things I did

 

Thanks, I will try that when I get back to California!

 

Yeah I guess I'm just crossing my fingers it is a malfunctioning fan. I did fill the coolant and the overflow tank was at max level. At that point in time, I thought it was suposed to be at max level, now I know to just make sure it's above min at all times.

It started overheating with the AC on, so I have kept it off for a while now. I took it to a mechanic once and told him I thought the fan was bad, they found a bad fuse for the fan and replaced it and ran a machine on the car, calling the whole problem fixed. Well it was good for a couple days with AC on in high temps, traffic, all good. Then it started overheating a couple days later just like it had previously, with no AC, and the fuse is still good. I know that the fans work, but I wonder if they don't come on right when the engine temp goes up?

 

That is an insane amount. I would/could not pay that. Especially for a $100 fan, if they even cost that much. But glad to know that someone else had that problem

 

Keep in mind that's mostly dealer pricing with install.

I just looked up electric fans on Rockauto.com and they had two fans for my '06. One for $100 and the other for $150.



BTW the fan recall was for a dead fan motor. If your fan is working, then the issue lies elsewhere

 

Was hoping to eliminate one of the fans since I believe the fan closest to the overflow tank comes on when the A/C is operating. But if your condition exists with the A/C on and off then I fear its not the fans. What are the chances of both being bad? Not likely...