P38A Replace water pump

Salisbury Nick said:

How does the fan mod work? The air con does not work any way and I have been wondering about removing the air con rad altogether- is that feasible?

Is there another mod for an electric fan instead of the viscous one? At the moment I think I can re-use the existing viscous fan as the nut was not damaged when we cut through the old water pump spindle, however, they are a pain and now is the time to make the mod if i’m going to at all.

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I use a thermostat to trigger the aircon fans. I wouldn't want to be without aircon personally.

i don’t really want to be without air con either. but it has not worked since i bought it.

Salisbury Nick said:

i don’t really want to be without air con either. but it has not worked since i bought it.

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Quite likely it's just the condenser leaking, a common problem, a leak test would prove it. Then a re-gas. Not expensive to do.

it would be nice if that is it. Do you know how I can perform a leak test myself? Or does it require re-gassing to do it?

Salisbury Nick said:

it would be nice if that is it. Do you know how I can perform a leak test myself? Or does it require re-gassing to do it?

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You need to take it to a specialist, some of the UK places will test and regas with I think no charge if it leaks.
Replacing the condenser is dead easy.
Often it is possible to see the leak without a test by the oily residue. The top corners are the common leak places.

I'm a bit under informed when it comes to the air con - well most things really - but especially the air con. When e got the car the hoses between the heater unit int eh car and the heater unit in the engine bay and been cut and removed. I had this repaired and we now have heat - whether we want it or not - but no air con. I'd be embarrassed to take it to a specialist and have them say, 'Heres your problem..' and point to a space where the Condenser is meant to be!

Salisbury Nick said:

I'm a bit under informed when it comes to the air con - well most things really - but especially the air con. When e got the car the hoses between the heater unit int eh car and the heater unit in the engine bay and been cut and removed. I had this repaired and we now have heat - whether we want it or not - but no air con. I'd be embarrassed to take it to a specialist and have them say, 'Heres your problem..' and point to a space where the Condenser is meant to be!

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The condenser is the big alloy radiator between the electric fans and the normal radiator, you can see it in RAVE.

Ah - well that is definitely still there. Thanks.

Salisbury Nick said:

Ah - well that is definitely still there. Thanks.

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Check Rave that your not confusing the A/C condenser with the intercooler, it is a diesel.

tomcat59alan said:

Check Rave that your not confusing the A/C condenser with the intercooler, it is a diesel.

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Thanks, will do.

Datatek is best to ask about the fan mod. There are kits about it just changes your viscous mechanical fan to an electric version.
Some put a switch in it so you can knock fan off when traversing deep water, as I know you enjoy your off-roading.

RangeRoller dt said:

Datatek is best to ask about the fan mod. There are kits about it just changes your viscous mechanical fan to an electric version.
Some put a switch in it so you can knock fan off when traversing deep water, as I know you enjoy your off-roading.

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Thanks - thats the key thing really. It is not good news when the fan going at full chat suddenly hits water - tends to deform, hit the radiator and smash itself and anything close to pieces. So the ability to cut it for a minute is pretty useful.

Actually - @Datatek did send me the instructions for the mod a year ago. I'm trying to get my head around them now. (I did read them at the time but they made little sense to me then, a year on and I have a much better understanding of how the radiators, fans, etc all fit together and work, so it makes a lot more sense to me now).

Salisbury Nick said:

Actually - @Datatek did send me the instructions for the mod a year ago. I'm trying to get my head around them now. (I did read them at the time but they made little sense to me then, a year on and I have a much better understanding of how the radiators, fans, etc all fit together and work, so it makes a lot more sense to me now).

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My mod gives the option of override switches for on all the time or off.

@Mark Piercy has done Data’s mod not long ago, likely has a few piccies help get your head around it but the search is down.

RangeRoller dt said:

@Mark Piercy has done Data’s mod not long ago, likely has a few piccies help get your head around it but the search is down.

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Mark also fitted an additional fan. Photo's do not show the wiring.

I’m sure I saw one of a big scary loom thing

RangeRoller dt said:

I’m sure I saw one of a big scary loom thing

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There is only one wire plus an earth involved in my mod if you do not fit an override switch.

I think if I do it I will want an override switch. The wiring does not look too complicated if I have understood correctly - I may need to check before proceeding though.
Be good to hear how Mark has got on with it since doing the mod and his reasons for doing it?
Also - any pics would be very helpful!

Some one said I was making a meal of this - and I am. Had to cut the fan off by going through the old water pump spindle. Then I had to grind two flat edges onto the spindle so I could stick it in a vice and then get a proper spanner on to the fan nut. Finally, after soaking the nut/spindle in WD40 for the night - bloody success at last! The new pump is fitted and I could, if I don't decide to do any more work, just put her back together again and be back on the road!