Straight-wired Engine Fan?

[Dante]

I recently swapped a new (used) KA24E into my '89 coupe. It runs great, with one minor complaint: the fan is always running. Not always at full speed, but I haven't seen it stop either. I asked a mechanic at a shop today while I was getting other work done and he said my fan was straight-wired, where it should be wired to a temp sensor. The fan clutch is fine. I have two questions:

What exactly does 'straight-wired' mean?, and

How long can I expect my water pump to hold out with the fan on all the time? (I have to drive back to school in two days, long trip)

Thanks for any help.

[IvoryJ30t]

since you said straight wired, im assuming that you talking about an electric fan that is wired to be constantly on with the ignition.

it has no affect on the water pump.

[cleets-s13]

Do you even have an electric fan????? According to my two 240's its MECHANICAL!!!!!!! it runs all the time because it's bolted onto a fan clutch that bolted onto the water pump which is driven by a BELT! it won't stop ever!

[Nathan]

Are you talking about the engine fan or the electric fan? Theres a big difference.

[Dante]

I am talking about an engine fan. Not an electric fan. I am under the impression that the water pump is rotated by a pulley, which also rotates the fan clutch, which rotates the fan. However, since it isn't always necessary for the fan to be blowing, shouldn't the fan clutch stop rotating the fan when the engine is cool enough? Why else would a fan clutch be there?

[cleets-s13]

the way the fan clutch works is when the clutch is cold the fanwill not turn as much. when the engine worms up the coolent in the radator the air blowing over it will heat the fan clutch. when this happens the clutch will engage and pull more air through the radator and cool the engine. a fan type clutch will turn all the time this is its desine. as for tyhe waterpump it is made to turn all the time. if it didn't the coolent would not flow throughout the engine.

[cleets-s13]

oh bye the way you should stop going to that shop your mechanic is a freeking idiot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[fuzion]

I believe all 240s have two fans

1) Smaller electric fan that is kicked in when the A/C is on [basically a condensor fan]

2) Larger mechanical fan that works with a fan clutch. It has a heat driven spring/fluid that expands at a certain temperature locking it into place so it spins at the same speed as the engine. [Note: it's ALWAYS going to spin, but when unlocked its spinning freely and it cannot be heard.. you'll know when its locked because it sounds like a freight train]

The fluid in the fan clutch can leak out making it non functional.. Im not sure if it will cause an 'always on' effect or if it will be like mine where its only locked up when its cold outside..

So what he might be saying is that the smaller electric fan [directly infront of the mechanical fan] is wired to always be on.. It's not a very loud fan though.. I've never heard the electric one running, then again maybe it's not working o_O rut roh.

[Dante]

the way the fan clutch works is when the clutch is cold the fanwill not turn as much. when the engine worms up the coolent in the radator the air blowing over it will heat the fan clutch. when this happens the clutch will engage and pull more air through the radator and cool the engine. a fan type clutch will turn all the time this is its desine. as for tyhe waterpump it is made to turn all the time. if it didn't the coolent would not flow throughout the engine.

Thanks for the explanation, I think I'm all cleared up on it now. I had thought that the fan should have stopped spinning, but now I see that isn't the case. Thanks for the help all, learning is fun