My father is asking me to research the prices for the big fans that are found in front of the engine of his VDP, I'm not sure if he means the '98 one or the '01 car. He's got both, and I haven't bothered to ask for which because they are essentially the same car with a different paint scheme. I suspect it's actually a thermostat problem. He says the fans don't go on, that they're not working properly. I haven't been able to see the car to asses what the situation is. I don't know if he has the aluminium thermostat or the plastic one, if he has changed the water pump or not. All he tells me is that the fans don't work and he insists that it's because they need to be changed because they're damaged.

What is the likelihood of those fans going kaput? Could it be a symptom of something else?

I would also appreciate the parts numbers so I can at least give him a price for the parts so that I can get some peace and quiet in the meantime.

 

Part number MNA4270BC or MNA4270AC depending on the VIN (BC is to VIN 832727, both cars should be after that)
No idea how often they break, but I've never heard of it happening.

 

Check to be sure the fans spin with the car off. Use something other than your fingers to see they are free. The fuses are in the left side engine
compartment. I think they are 30 amp. Those are they EZ things to check.

 

I will tell him that. Is there a Ford equivalent?

 

I don't think there is a ford interchangeable part. If the fan assembly is not mounted correctly the lower fan may not rotate and may even cut the shroud. You may be able to find a local electric motor repair shop that can rebuild them. Ebay is a good source for used parts. 85% of the parts I get on Ebay are good. I have 183,000 miles on my car
and the fans still run. I just checked and Ebay has the whole assembly with 2 fans for $55. I would connect the existing fan to 12 volts and see if they run first. Troubleshooting takes time, but saves $$$$.

 

Oh well that sucks. I'll tell him that he can get it cheaper via Ebay. Thanks guys. One more question, how different is the VDP from the XK8, mechanically?

Maybe he will end up using the more beat up car for parts...

 

my 98 VDP has a 97 XK8 engine in it. Things involving a computer don't interchange too well at times though. (A 99 or newer engine would not work in my car due to that). Fix up both cars so you have a spare!

 

I thought the VDP and the XK8 had the same engine?

 

it depends on the year. I think it is the variable valve timing that is different on some years. I wanted to put a newer engine in my car, but based on other information on the
forum and the guys at Coventry West near Atlanta, I ended up putting the 97 XK8 engine in my 98 VDP. It fired right up and has over 1,000 miles on it now. I am not an
expert on this...