CDT fitting kenlow fan - do i need to degass aircon??

oddsocks · 14th June 2008, 08:29

I've got the Kenlow fan and was planning to fit it this weekend following Keith's how to thread. Reading the Haynes manual it implies I need to degass the aircon, but i haven't found a thread that mentions this. I don't want to get half way and then realise I need to do this (and as it happens the local aircon specialist is on holiday this weekend).

Thanks

Dave

stocktake · 14th June 2008, 08:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by oddsocks

I've got the Kenlow fan and was planning to fit it this weekend following Keith's how to thread. Reading the Haynes manual it implies I need to degass the aircon, but i haven't found a thread that mentions this. I don't want to get half way and then realise I need to do this (and as it happens the local aircon specialist is on holiday this weekend).

Thanks

Dave

Hi Dave,

Not fitted the Kenlowe but removed and repd my existing fan. When you come to remove the plastic housing that the fan is fitted to you will see that the aircon pipes actually go through the structure. Best way people have found is to heat an old knife up and "cut" a small section of the housing away, it will become apparent when you see it.

Using this method I did not have to disturb the aircon and no chance of sawing through the aircon pipes.
HTH

Raistlin · 14th June 2008, 09:36

The same method was used when my fan was replaced on my previous 75 Dave.

Makes it so much easier and doesn't cause any problems.

JohnDotCom · 14th June 2008, 12:24

Now it is Illegal to "De Gas" the Air Con unless by Licenced person.
Stops the DIY Merchants but safer.
But no need for any Fan Change.

baxlin · 14th June 2008, 20:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by stocktake

Hi Dave,

Not fitted the Kenlowe but removed and repd my existing fan. When you come to remove the plastic housing that the fan is fitted to you will see that the aircon pipes actually go through the structure. Best way people have found is to heat an old knife up and "cut" a small section of the housing away, it will become apparent when you see it.

Using this method I did not have to disturb the aircon and no chance of sawing through the aircon pipes.
HTH

This method was championed in the Nov '05 Car Mechanics article on fan change, and works perfectly. I used SWMBO's secateurs...................

oddsocks · 14th June 2008, 22:55

Thanks all for the info - rain forcast tomorrow so it will now wait a while longer!

Dave

stocktake · 15th June 2008, 08:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by oddsocks

Thanks all for the info - rain forcast tomorrow so it will now wait a while longer!

Dave

Sunny here Dave, Gettin yer spanners out?

oddsocks · 26th July 2008, 22:07

Well, my daughter's wedding is now behind me and normality has been restored. This weekend was the first since the wedding 3 weeks ago that the forecast was definitely dry so I fitted the kenlow fan today.

I took my time and spent 5 hours (could have done it in 3 if needed). I followed Keith's 'how do' and my final fit looked very similar, with mostly the same fittings. On mine (03 CDT) the bonnet release catch is presented above the slam panel, (need fingers to find it when the bonnet is popped) so I didn't have the problem of positioning the fan away from the catch shown in Keith's photos. As a result I was able to use the aircon matrix fixing points for both left and right upper fixings.

I also replaced the intercooler oilseal - the joint was dry but I had the replacement so did it. Mine only had one oil seal (at the end of the fitting)- the Xparts guy was right and adamant that for my VIN it only had 1 not 2. The old seal had swollen in diameter, such that the new one could fit inside the old one. Car has done 99.6k

The only rework I needed to do was with the bonnet cable release - I had overtightened the fittings so when the cable was pulled and released the springs didn't pull the catches back to the 'lock' position. slightly loosening the 8mm bolt let it spring back.

Final point for anyone referring to the haynes manual (which sends you all over the place between chapters) - you do not need to drain the coolant. I didn't, but if slavishly following the steps it tells you to (as haynes assumes you are removing the radiator)

markhowell · 11th September 2008, 19:30

It may be a little late, but see my post about the Kenlowe fan - best fitting idea. Regards, Mark

14th June 2008, 08:29	#1
oddsocks Regular poster 75 CDT 03 plate Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: haverhill Posts: 31 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	CDT fitting kenlow fan - do i need to degass aircon?? I've got the Kenlow fan and was planning to fit it this weekend following Keith's how to thread. Reading the Haynes manual it implies I need to degass the aircon, but i haven't found a thread that mentions this. I don't want to get half way and then realise I need to do this (and as it happens the local aircon specialist is on holiday this weekend). Thanks Dave

14th June 2008, 09:36	#3
Raistlin Banned 75 CDT Connoisseur SE Auto Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Wolverhampton Posts: 8,450 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	The same method was used when my fan was replaced on my previous 75 Dave. Makes it so much easier and doesn't cause any problems.

14th June 2008, 12:24	#4
JohnDotCom * Rover 75 FaceLift Tourer CDTi 170BHP Auto ConnSE 2005 Model Starlight Silver Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Abergele Posts: 28,735 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Now it is Illegal to "De Gas" the Air Con unless by Licenced person. Stops the DIY Merchants but safer. But no need for any Fan Change.

14th June 2008, 22:55	#6
oddsocks Regular poster 75 CDT 03 plate Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: haverhill Posts: 31 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks all for the info - rain forcast tomorrow so it will now wait a while longer! Dave

26th July 2008, 22:07	#8
oddsocks Regular poster 75 CDT 03 plate Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: haverhill Posts: 31 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Well, my daughter's wedding is now behind me and normality has been restored. This weekend was the first since the wedding 3 weeks ago that the forecast was definitely dry so I fitted the kenlow fan today. I took my time and spent 5 hours (could have done it in 3 if needed). I followed Keith's 'how do' and my final fit looked very similar, with mostly the same fittings. On mine (03 CDT) the bonnet release catch is presented above the slam panel, (need fingers to find it when the bonnet is popped) so I didn't have the problem of positioning the fan away from the catch shown in Keith's photos. As a result I was able to use the aircon matrix fixing points for both left and right upper fixings. I also replaced the intercooler oilseal - the joint was dry but I had the replacement so did it. Mine only had one oil seal (at the end of the fitting)- the Xparts guy was right and adamant that for my VIN it only had 1 not 2. The old seal had swollen in diameter, such that the new one could fit inside the old one. Car has done 99.6k The only rework I needed to do was with the bonnet cable release - I had overtightened the fittings so when the cable was pulled and released the springs didn't pull the catches back to the 'lock' position. slightly loosening the 8mm bolt let it spring back. Final point for anyone referring to the haynes manual (which sends you all over the place between chapters) - you do not need to drain the coolant. I didn't, but if slavishly following the steps it tells you to (as haynes assumes you are removing the radiator)

11th September 2008, 19:30	#9
markhowell Regular poster Rover 75 CTDI Tourer Auto Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bournemouth Posts: 38 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	It may be a little late, but see my post about the Kenlowe fan - best fitting idea. Regards, Mark