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Fan Controller vs Thermal Valve Conversion Kit

Yahoo Message Number: 106248
Our fan controller is acting up again. This is our second one. Has anyone replaced it with a Thermal Valve Conversion Kit. I guess it's an old school wax valve that activates the fan. We have a CAT c9. Colton Truck in S. Cal can install it. Any info or experience with this would be appreciated.

John

31242 Allure

Re: Fan Controller vs Thermal Valve Conversion Kit

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106249
John:

Feel free to contact me about this.

Kevin Waite
541-953-6162 

Re: Fan Controller vs Thermal Valve Conversion Kit

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106254
Just had the thermal valve installed. Awesome mileage Improvement

Lee

Sent via the Samsung G,alaxy S7, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone

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Re: Fan Controller vs Thermal Valve Conversion Kit

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106256
I had the Source Engineering gang install their Wax Valve preemptively in our coach. This is with a ISL vs the C9.

Pleased with the results. Like that the fan is variable, vs low, medium or high speed. So I only spend fuel, and divert HP, as needed.

I decided to go this route, after reading of multiple fan controller failures, some owners have had up to three.... So I'm hoping mine is a one time thing.

Suggest if you go this route, that you also replace the Thermostat at the same time...

Best of luck to you,

Smitty

04 Allure 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: Fan Controller vs Thermal Valve Conversion Kit

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106257
Lee,

What's the temperature like now?

Regards,

Mike St. John

2005 CC Magna Matisse, C13, #6501

Re: Fan Controller vs Thermal Valve Conversion Kit

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106259
Mine works great with my ISL 400. I gave up after my 6th fan controller. I had to pay for two. TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731

Re: Fan Controller vs Thermal Valve Conversion Kit

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106264
Michael, I've only had it in for about 1,200 miles and that was in December so I don't have a good database.

First impressions -

In general temps seemed to be fluctuating in the 'normal' temp range we'd expect. For my 42,000 lb rig with tow I averaged over 8 highway MPG over a 500 mile stretch . . . nice!! Putzing through towns it was over 7!

And quiet!!! 😂

Lee (leozbrowski@...) President, CCI

2007 Country Coach Intrigue 12153
CAT C-13

Re: Fan Controller vs Thermal Valve Conversion Kit

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106273
I have a 2005 Allure with a C-9 and had a overheating problem and had the wax valve installed almost two years ago and very happy with it. Temperature on silver leaf holds steady and only varies a couple of degrees.
Dave

2005 Allure #31284
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Re: Fan Controller vs Thermal Valve Conversion Kit

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106275
John,

I also have a C9 that was seemingly having a fan controller problem. After talking to several techs, I decided to have Cat reprogram my ECM from the factory provided "option S" to "PWM" (pulse width modulation).
So far so good, however I have only driven the coach 800 miles since the change. I leave on a 4 month trip next week and by the time I get back I will have a better feel for the fix. The PWM option is more than a on / off switch like the wax valve, but is still less complex than option S. Some of the people that I've talked to feel that I have a 90% chance of a good fix.
I do feel the wax valve works good, but is labor intensive and I also preferred the engine compartment stay original.
I"m in no way trying to sell you on anything, just sharing my experience so far.

Jim

2005 40' Inspire #51225

Re: Fan Controller vs Thermal Valve Conversion Kit

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106279
John,

I also have a C9 that was seemingly having a fan controller problem. After talking to several techs, I decided to have Cat reprogram my ECM from the factory provided "option S" to "PWM" (pulse width modulation).
So far so good, however I have only driven the coach 800 miles since the change. I leave on a 4 month trip next week and by the time I get back I will have a better feel for the fix. The PWM option is more than a on / off switch like the wax valve, but is still less complex than option S. Some of the people that I've talked to feel that I have a 90% chance of a good fix.
I do feel the wax valve works good, but is labor intensive and I also preferred the engine compartment stay original.
I"m in no way trying to sell you on anything, just sharing my experience so far.

Jim

2005 40' Inspire #51225

Re: Fan Controller vs Thermal Valve Conversion Kit

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106282
Jim:

I have an 06 Allure with a C9 and my engine ECM fan controller was factory set to Variable in error. The factory had a controller test procedure and if it passed, the fix was to set the engine ECM fan controller setting to DC on/off, not PWD. You might want to check it out with CC or call Jake Smith, former Tech at CC. currently Shop Mgr. at Peterson CAT in Eugene, OR, tel. 541-852-7676.

John Beach

06 Allure 31309

Re: Fan Controller vs Thermal Valve Conversion Kit

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106290
John,

Our fan controller was not working and had been defaulted to high by the previous owner, i was going to have the Source Engineering wax controller installed. While at Peterson CAT in Springfield I asked Jake Smith about it and suggested they take a quick look. It took literally 10 minutes to trace out the system looking for the correct voltages and resistance, the tech under Jake's tutelage found a connection that looked ok on the outside but had become corroded on the inside. His tech cleaned it up and it has worked perfectly for the last 8,100 miles. And they didn't even charge me for that fix, hopefully it will be worth more than the fix cost...

I am leery of this system after hearing so many horror stories of failure after failure and prepared to change to the wax controller system, but i'm wondering if some of the failures have to do with moisture and corroded connectors more than a faulty system that was poorly designed?

Mike

Michael St. John

stjohn911@...
2005 CC Magna Matisse, CAT C13, #6501

Re: Fan Controller vs Thermal Valve Conversion Kit

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106293
Mike:

The C9 is controlled by the engine ECM, C13 by engine sensors. Having said that, Jake is a great source for resolving both CC and CAT issues. Jake's boss Andy Mayfield is the Guru when it comes to CAT engines and Jeeps.

Yes, you are right about moisture and the the controller connector, I've replaced the connector twice and I use dielectric grease in the connector to ensure no moisture and corrosion.

John Beach

06 Allure 31309

Re: Fan Controller vs Thermal Valve Conversion Kit

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106294
Hi Jim,

I had my ecu programmed to pwm mode for my fan controller and has worked great. Except it seems like it is on more than not.
Mark 09 inspire

Re: Fan Controller vs Thermal Valve Conversion Kit

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106301
We found the harness connection to the fan controller would cause us problems from time to time. I started a yearly unplugging, electrical cleaner, and a dab of electric grease maintenance cycle. This allows the FC to work as it should for us.

I did go to the Source Engineering Wax Valve because I liked the infinitely variable speed of the fan, vs low/med/high of the OEM fan. With our change over to Final Charge, I've found our coach runs cooler, and thus the lower variable RPM speed of the SE provides more power to the wheels, vs the fan...

Pleased so far with this mod:)!

Best to all,

Smitty

04 Allure 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: Fan Controller vs Thermal Valve Conversion Kit

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106305
I live in the dry desert climate of the southwest. I cleaned the connectors twice a year. To no avail. I will admit the second fan controller lasted almost 5 years, but after that it was down hill. With one lasting less than a few weeks, which didn't make OMC happy. My worst case found us in New Hampshire. We drove home averaging 7.7 mpg with the fan in the high mode. Normally I would have averaged close to 8.3 mpg. Now with the wax controller I can average any where from 8.6 to 8.8 at my normal 63 mph. When I push it though running 70 mph in very hot weather in the Southwest I'm right on the border of 8 mpg. Only in the steep climbs in Colorado and the Sierras of California do I return to 7.7 mpg. TWI 2004 Intrigue 42' ISL.

Re: Fan Controller vs Thermal Valve Conversion Kit

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106307
I installed a thermal controller 3 years ago and it's so Superior temperature runs about 185 and I've been all over the United States twice up every Hill Max I get up to its about 200 on a very big hill keep your hydraulic fluid clean very important the hydraulic fan motors Are very expensive come from England and take about 3 months to get the internals get dirty and no one can rebuild them here

Re: Fan Controller vs Thermal Valve Conversion Kit

Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106313
Does anyone have the manufactures name and part number for the thermal wax valve kit? TIA, Steve 2004 Allure 30990
 

Re: Fan Controller vs Thermal Valve Conversion Kit

Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106315
Steve:

Feel to give me a call about this if you like.

Kevin Waite
541-953-6162