PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE PASSAGE I NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING! I DON'T KNOW HOW CONFUSING THIS MAY SOUND BUT PLEASE TRY TO UNDER STAND WHAT I AM TRYING TO SAY! So I might have a problem but I need to make sure I am right about something first! For a mechanical fan, is it clockwise or counterclockwise that have to be used? I figured that it is clockwise since the water pump rotates clockwise I bought a clockwise fan; the exact fan is a Flex-a -Lite 17'' Flex Fan, part #1317! I have the fan blades curved towards the engine as it was said to be placed in the instructions! I noticed that there was more air blowing out towards the engine than the radiator! I flipped it and the air flow towards the radiator was weakened and the flow towards the engine stopped! the air flow then was parallel to the fan! I am using the wrong fan? I saw that there is a counterclockwise fan that is the same size and fitment, part #1517! I was thinking about getting it and installing it with the fan blades pointing towards the radiator so that the fan can catch the air and force it to the radiator with a counterclockwise rotation! I just bought the fan shroud and will install it soon hopefully but until then I want to know what you guys think of my plan! I wont by the other fan until I am sure that the airflow wasn't flowing properly without the shroud! If anyone needs explaining let me know and maybe i'll put out my phone number to explain it or maybe add pictures/ video! REMEMBER THIS MAKES MORE SENSE IN MY HEAD THAN IT DOES IN YOURS; I ALSO WROTE THIS ON THE SPOT BECAUSE I FORGET EASILY AND WANTED TO MAKE SURE I HAD THIS WRITTEN DOWN IN TIME!
You're thinking backwards, AIR FLOW IS ALWAYS PULLED THROUGH RADIATOR, not pushed into it... At least from inside engine compartment, common to use pusher fans on front of radiator to direct flow into radiator..
More air is supposed to be blowing toward the engine! If not, you will have a overheating situation..
Another way to say it. The fan should PULL in the same direction as the normal airflow coming INTO the engine bay while driving down the road. Front to rear of the car.. or towards the engine as mojo points out above. The effect you're likely feeling here would be similar to pushing a box fan up against a wall where the flow is stalled/stagnated(pressure behind the fan becomes higher than the front) which causes tumbling and reduced airflow past the blades. In this scenario it appears the flow is actually reversing when in reality it is just hitting the higher pressure behind it and within the engine bay itself which then causes it to tumble and roll right back over the outer perimeter of the fans diameter and ultimately takes the path of least resistance back out the radiator in the wrong direction. The biggest factor that causes this is the too large distance between the front of the fan and the radiator core itself. A fan shroud will close and seal this excessive gap to completely eliminate the issue.
My car used to overheat a lot. I tried several different fans and being young, I didn't realize how much of a difference a fan shroud would make. I located one in a junkyard and noticed a big difference the first drive! I had done as you are, replacing and replacing... These cars seem to run hotter in my opinion due to lack of airflow in general in the tiny engine compartment (my opinion) but I've at least gotten it to where it'll handle traffic. This week I bought an aluminum radiator and electric fan. I plan to use my current fan and shroud and use the electric fan to push air when needed in stop and go traffic, with a switch. Good luck with it!! I'd definitely do as a few have recommended and flush your radiator and block. Doesn't take long and it sure won't hurt anything. I'd flush it BEFORE I changed the water pump...
