Okay so I have an '04 Outlander XLS and I am not sure if the cooling fan is working properly or at all. If I drive on the highway for around 15 miles (at between 60mph and 80mph) then exit and go through say a drive-thru resturant and wait in line or idle for 10 minutes my engine temp gauge is going into the red zone. How can I check to see if the cooling fan is working, and when should it be coming on, and for how long should it be running? Am I crazy or shouldn't I be hearing it running even after I shut off the vehicle?

Thanks

Mire

 

have you had the recall on the cooling fan controller performed yet?

 

Not that I am aware of, I bought it used about 4 months ago from a non MIT dealership.Please tell me more.

Thanks

Mire

 

there is an open recall on the 2004 outlanders and lancers to replace the cooling fan control module located infront of the cooling fan motor.

if you pm me the last 8 digits of your vin number i can tell you if your car needs to have it replaced still.

 

Okay so I just got done at my local Mitsu shop and the recall has now been done and my coolant fan is now working again. They were trying to push me into getting my timing belt replaced for $460 + tax. How often do they break/fail and how worried should I be? They didn't bring me back into the bay to show it to me, so it must not have been that bad. Just told me I really needed to get it done when they saw that I had 58K miles. Also is there a difference between the timing belt and drive belt? Same or different?

Thanks

David

 

personally im a firm believer in preventative maintenance. id get it done when your owners manual suggests it to be done. based on mileage or time. just because you dont put on enuf miles for the time equivelant, does not mean that your vehicle is not either idling sitting in traffic, or the constant start up and shut down of city life driving. they both work to wear and tear a vehicle nicely. but its also a judgement call too.

 

The drive belt, drives the Alternator, AC compressor, coolant pump, PS pump,.. If it fails you replace it and it's done.
The timing belt drives the cam shafts, it makes sure that the Valves open and close at the correct time during the piston stroke. Ifthe timing beltfails some valves will remain open while the crankshaft keeps turning, this means that the pistons will likely strike some open valves, the repairs at this point would be a new timing belt and Probably some new valves and pistons. Potentially 5-6 times more expensive than the timing belt change. Make sure you do it based on the manufacturers recommendation for the vehicle and also the region you live in.