Community Forums

jacwjames · 08-31-2015, 07:13 AM

I am trying to determine if the wax valve on my radiator is working properly.

2002 Windsor 350 ISC 8.3 Cummins

At what temperature should the wax valve kick on and at what temp should it kick off??

Historically the fan didn't seem to run that much, I never did have a heating problem. Usually when I would pull off for fuel etc the fan would not be running.

Fast forward, had to have the radiator changed in May/June/July (yes it took 6 weeks due to insurance delay). When I got it home I found that the fan was running all the time, did some research and determine the hydraulic lines on the valve was crossed, swapped them back and it seemed to fix the problem.

Took the rig for a short trip this last week (finally) and the fan seemed to come on sooner then before and stayed running. When I got it home I let it idle for a while and the fan stayed on even though the temps were down to 178.

How can I determine if the valve is working correctly??

Mike Canter · 08-31-2015, 07:58 AM

My fan never shuts off even when I first start the motor and it is cold. This is normal to stop dramatic temp swings. I believe the wax valve starts opening at around 172*.

jacwjames · 08-31-2015, 09:28 AM

OK thanks Mike

Checked this morning and it looked like it came on at ~180F based on the dash gauge. Couldn't get my Silverleaf working to have more accurate temp.

I may be a little paranoid since I lost the radiator a couple months ago but historically I don't hardly remember the fan staying on but since it wasn't an issue maybe I just didn't notice.

holycow · 08-31-2015, 02:40 PM

Be sure the radiator has the same number of fins per inch as the old one did. Also the core should have the same number of rows of tubes as the old one did. The fins transfer the heat to the air passing thru the rad. and the more the better.

Mike Canter · 08-31-2015, 03:03 PM

Ok, if you read the OP the question is about the wax valve and and fan speed, not the radiator

Jeff753 · 08-31-2015, 09:07 PM

[QUOTE=jacwjames;2722977]I am trying to determine if the wax valve on my radiator is working properly.

2002 Windsor 350 ISC 8.3 Cummins

At what temperature should the wax valve kick on and at what temp should it kick off??

Historically the fan didn't seem to run that much, I never did have a heating problem. Usually when I would pull off for fuel etc the fan would not be running.

Fast forward, had to have the radiator changed in May/June/July (yes it took 6 weeks due to insurance delay). When I got it home I found that the fan was running all the time, did some research and determine the hydraulic lines on the valve was crossed, swapped them back and it seemed to fix the problem.

Took the rig for a short trip this last week (finally) and the fan seemed to come on sooner then before and stayed running. When I got it home I let it idle for a while and the fan stayed on even though the temps were down to 178.

How can I determine if the valve is working correctly??[/

on my 01 the wax valve opens at 185 and is wide open at 199. Your manual have about 3-4 pages on the hydraulic fan.

Jeff
2001 Dynasty Regent tag axle
Cummins 350 8.3 ISC

Mike Canter · 09-01-2015, 05:29 AM

Here is what my owners manual says about the hydraulic fan speed and wax valve operation.

jacwjames · 09-01-2015, 07:44 AM

Thanks, went back and read the manual and at first glance it appears to be working correctly.

One of my concerns is that when I got my coach back from the Cummins after the radiator change I found that the fan was running wide open all the time. After doing some research I found a post suggesting the lines were reversed so I swapped the lines out and it solved the problem of the fan running wide open upon startup.

My question now is whether there could have been damage to the valve when the lines were reversed.

Once I get my exhaust manifold reinstalled & the Silverleaf system working I'll be checking the temps again. On my last trip the temps never climbed above ~185 but the fan seemed to be running wide open although it is hard to tell since the manual says it is proportional to engine speed.

Have another short trip planned in ~2 weeks so we'll see how it goes.

Mike Canter · 09-01-2015, 08:03 AM

I would expect the fan to be running almost at full speed with engine temps at 185. As the page in my manual says the fan is also used to cool the CAC, transmission cooler, oil cooler and hydraulic cooler so it has to always run. And no you wouldn't damage anything by having the lines crossed because that still puts the controller in a normal mode.

holycow · 09-01-2015, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Canter

Ok, if you read the OP the question is about the wax valve and and fan speed, not the radiator

OK!!! If you read the whole thing you can see where the op replaced the radiator. That brings the radiator into this mess as a potential problem. An overheating problem brought on by an inadequately sized radiator will certainly demand more from the fan.

Mike Canter · 09-01-2015, 02:02 PM

The temps reported are within normal operating range. The fan is normal and all is good. There is no overheating reported or indicated.

jacwjames · 09-01-2015, 04:08 PM

Got my VMSpc monitoring system working and after I finished installed the exhaust manifold I ran the engine again and the fan went to a higher speed at 180F so I guess I'm good.

Mike Canter · 09-01-2015, 04:18 PM

I agree, I think you are good to go.

Eaglesview · 09-01-2015, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Canter

The temps reported are within normal operating range. The fan is normal and all is good. There is no overheating reported or indicated.

According to the Alladin in my 05 Dynasty, ISL 400, fan comes on at about 197 and stops at about 192. I have been under the impression that optimal diesel operation is at higher rather than lower temperatures. I'll bet this is a wax valve problem. I have had a failed wax valve and the failure mode is continuous fan operation regardless of temperatures.