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Refrigerant and fan leakage does not work

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13 years 4 months before #36944 by manual-mecanica
Manual-mechanics response on the topic of refrigerant leak and fan not working
Okay friends, I have a few things you can check:
First, I should clarify that if the electric fan isn't turning on, it could be the fuse in the fuse box. It could also be the fan switch located on the radiator, and these should be checked. It's also possible it could be the temperature sensor (also called the ETC sensor),
or simply the brushes on the electric fan motor.

Fuses can be checked with a multimeter in continuity mode.
Sensors can be placed in a container of hot water and their resistance measured.

Also, remember to check the engine oil, because if the level drops and there's no visible leak, it could be leaking into the cylinders, which is very bad.
To check, it's simple: heat a can to a high temperature and then drop a drop of oil from the vehicle into it. If it starts to splatter, then it's contaminated with water. The logic is that water has a lower boiling point than oil, and when it reaches that point, it evaporates and separates from the oil, which is why the oil starts to move.

I hope these tips are helpful, and let me know if you have any questions.

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13 years 4 months before #36953 by manual-mecanica
Manual-mechanics response on the topic of refrigerant leak and fan not working
First of all, you didn't say what vehicle you have, so we can't tell if it's just a matter of purging the system and nothing else. If the electric fan doesn't start, first check the fuses to see if they're good. Then look for the temperature sensor, if it has one. That's why it's important that you tell us what vehicle we're talking about. Jump-start it and see if it starts. If it doesn't start, connect the fan directly to the battery to see if it's burned out. Check the oil to see if it's emulsified. If it is, it's a head gasket problem. If not, check the amount of steam in the exhaust.

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13 years 4 months before #36959 by manual-mecanica
Manual-mechanics response on the topic of refrigerant leak and fan not working
Hi kikemec,
thanks for your input and help. The car I'm talking about (my car) is a Skoda Felicia GLX 1.3, like the one in my profile picture, but not modified.
I'll take your suggestions and start testing and researching, although any information (videos, links, photos, etc.) would be great because I'm just starting out in car repair, at least with the most common problems.

Cheers, mate, and thanks again for your help.;)

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13 years 4 months before #36969 by manual-mecanica
Manual-mechanics response on the topic of refrigerant leak and fan not working
Hi Toppo.
If there are traces of oil in the coolant, it's because the cylinder head gasket has blown, and the two liquids are mixing. The water evaporates because it's less viscous and reaches its boiling point faster than the oil.
If the electric fan isn't turning on, it could be due to several factors: 1) The fan motor is burned out (rule this out by connecting it directly to the battery). 2) The vehicle's thermostat is stuck closed, and the sensor that detects the coolant temperature to turn on the fan never receives hot water, so it doesn't activate. 3) The electric fan sensor is broken (test it by shorting the sensor's contacts; the fan should turn on). 4) The coolant system isn't properly bled (it has air bubbles inside), preventing the sensor from correctly sensing the coolant temperature and turning on the fan.

I hope these ideas help you. Good luck!

Greetings from Córdoba, Argentina.

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13 years 4 months before #37029 by manual-mecanica
Manual-mechanics response on the topic of refrigerant leak and fan not working
It might not be necessary to replace the cylinder head; however, you should replace the gasket between it and the engine block. The cylinder head will almost certainly need resurfacing, and I recommend doing this as soon as possible. I don't advise continuing to drive the vehicle like this, as the damage could worsen to the point of engine failure.
The same applies to the cooling system. You shouldn't drive a vehicle with a malfunctioning electric fan and a poorly functioning cooling system.

In reality, the blown head gasket is simply the result of the high temperatures the engine reached due to the lack of cooling,
so both issues need to be addressed urgently.
I know things are complicated in Spain, and I don't mean to burden you by making you rush this repair, but unfortunately, your vehicle could be seriously damaged if you continue driving it in this condition.
Good luck!

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