1987 olds delta 88.

Shep -

I think its a RWD. At leaast, I can't see any drive mechanics in ther engine bay that indicate a FWD.

But as I've clearly demonstrated, I know nothing of such things.

Im just hopin to get a car that doedsn't boil over or blow head gaskets when I go on job interviews.

Thanks Matt

It is a 3.8L V6 and front wheel drive I do believe. This is right around the year they downsized these models.

Before doing that you should run a compression test on the engine. No sense putting a new fan on a dead engine. I've got a friend who is at

250k on his '88 and generally has to replace the fan motor every other year. Amazing how well these cars hold up BUT a good overheating will kill it and since they are typically "granny cars" you can find a good lower mileage replacement for very little money.

Steve B.

First off, you really need to know that your car is front wheel drive. The engine is a 3.8 liter V-6. Armed with this basic knowledge, you can tell the parts store flunkies that they are wrong when they tell you your engine is a V-8.

I don't think there's a "resistor" in the fan circuit... I don't know what the part is you are refering to, but if you post a pic of it that will help the ID process. I believe that your car could possibly have an optional second cooling fan. Is there another fan on either side of the radiator besides the faulty one you removed? If there are multiple fans, perhaps the one you removed *is* a low speed fan and *does* incorporate a resistor. Just thinking out loud. Hell, I couldn't even drive when these cars came out...

If this is the old non-ECM controlled fan system, there should be a coolant temp switch threaded into the upper engine, probably near the alternator. With the key on, you could ground that switch wire and the fan relay near the left headlight / front left fender area should click closed. You could test the hot wire to the fan with a test light to see if it gets voltage when grounding the temp switch.

Keep in mind that if this fan seized while still drawing current (as evidenced by the crispy windings), the fan relay and harnass could have severely overheated from excess current. The fan fuse could have blown as well.

Toyota MDT in MO

Comboverfish - et al -

Thanks so much!!!! for the comments/suggestions. Based on what you have all said, I have to conclude its a FWD - it's just that I alway thought a FWD had what more or less looked like a transmission in the engine bay to me; I see no such beast here; but - Im an idiot when it comes to newer models.

I used to have a 71 fury, and a 71 442 that I rebuilt the motors in, so I know enough to be dangerous, but I'm the first to admit Im way ou t of my leauge here.

Illl see if I can get ahold of a camers to take some pics. The 'resistor' thing is white, about 1"square, and 4 -5 " long. (im also a dangerous elctronics buff, and it looks to me like a very high wattage resistor. Perhaps it serves some other function such as shutting off the fan; I really don't know. I can tell you it is in the picture of the documentation for the replacement motor I bought. It's mounted directly on the fan shroud.

Also, the advice about not buying a fan before doing a compression test is well taken. In fact, I took it to a mechanic to do just that; he charged me $150, said he would then need to order another $400 of parts - AND THEN tell me whether the head gaskets needed to be replaced.

In short, I got taken.

Current status is I replaced the fan ($30), tommorrow Im going to use some prestone radiator cleaner to flush the system out, and then refill with new antifreeze/water.

Anyway, after replacing the fan I let the car idle for 30 mins, and all temps remained normal. Last week my friend let it idle for 5 - 10 mins and MASSIVE overhrating ensued.

I'll keep ya all updateted, and send pictures as I can.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR HELP.

Matt

So, still wondering, are there two fans on your vehicle or just one? Look on the engine side AND the grille side of the radiator. I don't know why you would have a resistor wired to the fan unless there are multiple fans, or a previous owner piggled it on there....

Toyota MDT in MO

Ah, sorry.

Just one fan.

Absolutely just one fan .........

It's mounted on a shroud slightly to the left of the radiator, as viewed from the front.

I wish I had a scanner to send you the install sheet - the 'resistor' is clearly visible on the pics.

If it helps any, the fan I bought was a Murray 35656 Rad. Fan Motor.

I also can't see any reason for a resistor. But it does have a 'factory installed' appeaance to it.

Thanks Matt

oops

meant to say its mounted _behind_ the radiator, to the _right_ as viewed from the front.

A bit too many beers for me tonight.

Thanks Matt

OK. I really don't know for sure as is evident, but it could be used with a pair of relays and switches to incorporate a lower speed into your one fan. IF this is the case, and IF the relay is bad, it wouldn't be the end of the world if you jumpered across it so that any fan motor request would result in high speed operation. I am under the impression that the main reason manufacturers began using two speed fan setups (usually differently designed than yours) was to reduce operating noise. Many FWD cars had only one single speed fan, but they were often the lower dollar models.

Toyota MDT in MO

ROger that.

Please see my latest post in:

Would love a chance to repay you guys for the money you have saved me.

Matt

Damn.

AM I really this drunk?

Here is a different link:

Gentlemen -

The engine runs even cooler now.

Sleep well, for you have helped a complete stranger in ways you will never know.

Matt