Will a bad clutch fan affect your air conditioning?
Definitely, a bad fan can damage your vehicle's air conditioning system. This is what normally acts as a heat exchanger for the air conditioning unit. The fan is designed in such a way that it helps in keeping the condenser cool, by which that component can convert the gas into liquid efficiently and can keep the convertible's AC system operating smoothly. Thus, when the fan becomes defective, it creates various complications in the AC unit. Lukewarm air, burning smell, overheating while idling- are the symptoms of a bad clutch fan. The car owner should an accomplished car specialist right away to restore the performance of his vehicle's air conditioning system.
Why does high coolant temperature affect the cooling of the air conditioner in a car?
The answers I've read here missed a point I'd like to add.First, modern A/C loops are not usually affected by engine coolant temp, as the AC condenser is always in front of the radiator (or possibly next to it).However, two things can affect AC performance based on the engine getting over hot.AC cutoff - in times of extreme engine cooling demand, the engine can cut off the AC compressor to save that heat load on the radiator. A brand new vehicle will usually be designed so that never ever happens, but a few years of wear and tear on all the cooling components can reduce their effectiveness and make this happen.Other Thermal loads. If an oil cooler or charge air cooler is in front of the condenser, their increased load could reduce AC performance.As everyone has said, typically engine cooling is difficult at speeds that provide plenty of air for the condenser. And typically idle, which is difficult for the condenser, is nothing for the engine cooling circuit.If your AC is cutting out during a strenuous drive, my guess is your condenser or radiator is fouled/corroded enough to reduce its performance enough to kick in the cutoff feature.
What are some symptoms of a bad idle air control sensor?
Idle air control valves open to allow more air to "leak" into the intake, raising the engine rpms, or close when not needed. When your AC compressor kicks in or power steering is activated as you suddenly turn the steering wheel, the sudden drag on the drive belt will bog down the engine. These systems send a signal to the engine computer telling it they are active and it then signals the IAC valve to open, which increases the engine speed. Without this occurring, the engine could struggle, or die. The IAC valve can cause weird idle issues, mess with throttle functionality or cause the car to die. Sometimes they fail, get stuck or just get all carboned up. Sometimes people have success at cleaning them, but generally it is best to replace them when bad. Idle issues and even problems with the IAC valve may not be due to the IAC valve being bad itself. An idle issue does not mean the IAC valve is bad. It is best to pay close attention to how the vehicle is acting, and then communicate that clearly and as completely as possible to your mechanic. Intermittent problems can be very hard to diagnose. Details will help. Knowing more about the vehicle in question and its symptoms (in detail) will also help in understanding more about what it is doing.
Can a modern car engine fit inside an old car? If it does, can it work?
Fitting the engine in won’t be a problem. As you noted, older cars are larger with plenty of space in the engine bay. The problem you’ll have is making the newer engine work in the older car. Newer cars have multiple sensors, computers, and subsystems for traction and stability controls, transmission controls, anti-lock braking, and in some Cadillacs, even electronic controls for the shock absorbers.The bummer part is that if you remove some or all of these subsystems, the engine management system may not function properly to run the engine normally.A better option for your purpose would be to buy what is called a “crate motor”, which is a motor specifically designed to be used in multiple types of vehicles. GM makes crate motors, and sells them through Chevrolet dealerships. Here’s one that might interest you:LSA Crate Engine - Race EngineThe LSA V8 is the same motor used in the Cadillac CTS-V, and if you add the “connect and cruise” option, it would be relatively easy to drop this motor into an older car.
Why does my car's temperature get high when I turn the AC on?
Assuming that the auxiliary fan (s) come on when the A/C is on, There are several reasons that the temp gauge rises….Is your temp gauge accurate? Most car companies have the dash gauge designed to go to the middle of it’s sweep and stay there, unless the engine gets really hot, they usually just goes to the middle and sits there, as long as the coolant temperature is between 70 C and 100C. They make them like that so that the consumer doesn’t see it moving around on a regular basis, that way, when it does go up, it gets noticed quicker. To determine if yours is accurate, or if it’s the kind that just sits there until something goes really wrong, an OBD2 code reader talks to the temp sensor that the engine’s ECU ( Engine Control Unit )… If the reader shows the temperature rising, but the dash gauge doesn’t budge.. then you know..Let’s assume that your gauge IS accurate… When you turn on the A/C , several factors now come into play. First, you’ve just placed a ( slightly) higher load on the engine, which is now burning more fuel, and creating a bit more heat. Secondly, that fan that just started spinning? Yup, it’s electrically powered, which means the Alternator is now needing more power from the engine.. A bit more fuel, a bit more heat created for the engine’s cooling system. Thirdly, all that energy ( Heat ), that the A/C has removed from the car’s interior .. Guess where it’s going?.. To it’s own little radiator, properly called a condenser coil, and that’s located right in front of the radiator. So now you have hotter air than before passing through the car’s radiator.Thermostats don’t “pop” open and closed, they open a bit as the coolant temperature gets to the design spec of the cooling system. They don’t open to full flow for at least another 10 C.Thermal efficiency.. As a radiator gets older, scale buildup on the inside of the tubes inhibits the transfer of heat to the air passing over the fins.Add all these together, and you have the reason that the temp gauge moves when you turn on the A/C..
Why do you have to change a car's alternator when changing the battery?
Well, three possibilities here.One. You alternator failed, killing the battery. Replace the battery, test the alternator. You can't test an alternator with a failed battery. Start the car with the new battery, voltage should go up from 12.5ish to 13–14 volt range.Rev the engine slightly (2500–3000 rpm). Turn on all the electricals, lights, air conditioning, etc. If the voltage drops below 12.8 for more than a second, look at replacing the alternator. It should spring back to 13ish.Often alternators will have a modular regulator. Most parts shops can test and determine if the alternator itself is blown, or if it's just the regulator. The brushes may be gone, and are sometimes integral to the regulator. Either way, it's cheaper than a full alternator.If the alternator is bad — doesn't make voltage; or is weak — doesn't hold voltage: then fix or replace it with the battery.Check the feed cables and battery connections on the off chance they're bad. You should do this regardless.Two. This is a low probability. Your battery failed, killing the alternator. This can happen in the case I forget a dead short in one of the cells of the battery, or a near total loss of liquid in your battery. Either way the battery case will likely be distorted, or even cracked. It will have a voltage less than 9. It may even stink of rotten eggs, with a slight taste of chewing on foil.Three. Your mechanic is a liar and a thief who's trying to get more money out of your pocket and into his. If he says that you have to replace the alternator because the battery is bad, this is the case.
How long could you drive without a drive belt?
In a modern automobile …one made within the last 20 years or so …it would depend. It may overheat first or it may deplete the battery …or both …before you or the engine stops driving it.The drive belt …aka serpentine belt …drives all or most of the accessories on modern engines.For some vehicles, particularly overhead cam (OHC) vehicles, the water pump is often driven by the belt spinning the cam shaft. On other engines types, overhead valve (OHV) engines in particular, the water pump is driven by the serpentine belt.But in both types of engines the alternator is almost always driven by the serpentine belt.So, in all cases, if the belt breaks you can drive until the battery dies …since that’s the only source of electrical power in the car when the alternator isn’t working. How long the engine will run on just the battery is a function of the health of the battery and whatever other electrical loads there are (like the electric fuel pump, electric cooling fan, AC compressor clutch, HVAC fan, headlights, wipers).If you have an OHC engine where the water pump is run off the cam belt then chances are you won’t overhear the engine right away; a good flow of coolant will be running through the radiator. If you’re running at a steady speed …like on the freeway …the battery will probably die before the engine overheats …but if you’re slogging along in rush hour traffic, maybe not so much.If you have an OHV engine, the water pump gets taken out with the busted belt and you lose good circulation of coolant through the radiator. Chances are the engine will begin to overheat relatively quickly …or at least a lot sooner than for an engine with a working water pump …especially if you’re running in slow moving traffic.So, there ya go.Ideally, being a good car owner, you check that belt for wear and tension and get it fixed before it bites you in the ass.
Why does the steering wheel lock up while driving?
What Causes the Steering Wheel to Lock Up? | eHow Losing control of your car's steering is a terrifying experience, one that can lead to a crash with horrific consequences. If this happens to you, then you must try to bring your vehicle to a stop at once and determine the cause of steering wheel lock-up before you drive your car again. There are a number of reasons why your car's steering has suddenly locked up including:Key MechanismNot every steering wheel problem occurs when you have the transmission engaged and are heading down the road. Sometimes, drivers report that their steering wheel stays locked even after inserting the key into the ignition. When that happens, the car probably cannot be started let alone driven. More than likely the key assembly has worn out and needs to be replaced. However, before calling your auto mechanic, try to move the wheels to the left and to the right as sometimes the steering column "catches," a problem that can be resolved if you jiggle the wheel.Lock PinGeneral Motors issued a pair of recalls for the C5 Chevrolet Corvette (1997-2004 models) due to problems with locked steering. In addition to being locked while starting, owners complained that in some cases their cars could be driven but with no control of steering. This problem is due to a lock pin that fails to withdraw fully, allowing contact between the pin and lock plate. Visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA ) website (see Resources) for information about recalls #04006B and #04006C or call your Chevrolet dealer.ConclusionWhile the three causes mentioned here are among the top reasons why a steering wheel may lock up, there could be other reasons. Contact an auto mechanic for assistance, or if you are handy with repairs, consult a Haynes or Chilton repair manual (or anything similar) for guidance.