KEEPING
DELTAS
DRIVING
Lancia Delta Integrale specialists and enthusiasts
Overheating
The only part that hasn't leaked or dripped on our Evo engine rebuild is the
inexpensively reconditioned radiator, although this has been in and out a
few times through no fault of its own! Some quite expensive replacement
parts have been sub standard, which are changed by the suppliers,
but our time isn't compensated for.
The cooling system has now thrown up another problem, the fan only works at high speed.
After the engine was installed and run up to temperature, the gauge reached 100 before the fan cut in, the fan then running at its higher speed. In further tests the fan cut in at a lower temp, but still at high speed. I assumed it was the radiator temp sensor,
which I have never changed.
Draining the radiator, again.
Coolant temp fan control switch
I ordered a new sensor switch from AECar, to fit this the rad has to be drained. Again!
I first tested the fan motor and its contacts, I had printed out the fan wiring diagram from Berlina sportivo web site, and after some research I grounded the red wire, and the fan worked fine. At high speed.
I hadn't refitted the bumper and grille yet, and the bonnet was still off. This made the job much easier, and although it's a pain, if you do this job I would suggest removing these
items too. I removed the intercooler shroud to access the radiator pipe clips, then drained
the coolant from the system at the turbo coolant pipe, into a clean bucket.
When drained, I slackened the pipe clips and removed the 2 x 13mm bolts at the top of the rad, then I drew the rad forward, pulling off the main pipes. After unplugging the temp switch wires, and removing the cable securing clip, the temp switch is simple to remove. Like Kylie did working in the garage on Neighbours, I used a big shifter. It is an M16 27mm size.
Extracting intercooler shroud
Removing temp switch
Temperature switch
I fitted the new switch with just a smear of Hylomar sealer, making sure not over tighten it, the torque is 4.9nm, set here by my arm.
I fitted everything back and filled the system with the saved coolant. I ran the car up to temp, and it was exactly the same, bugger!
Start up and test after new rad switch fitment, temperature on its
way up again!
A depressing sight after all my careful work. Integrales are not merciful on people who make assumptions.
I found a simpler diagram on Berlina sportivo, this shows a red wire to a 25amp fuse, then it goes to the motor, then through a resistor to a relay, the relay is controlled by the 2 position radiator fan switch, this sends the leccy through the resistor for low speed fan, or grounds the system directly, giving the high speed fan. I think.
I found this difficult to understand, it seems back to front. I re-read the diagram several times and it did begin to make sense. To complicate things, there's a thermal switch which seems to isolate the whole caboodle if the system overheats.
I ordered a new resistor and a relay from AECar.
A lovely new relay and resistor, the resistor looks more durable than the old one's exposed coil. It looked like it wouldn't fit, but it did, perfectly!
The parts arrived quickly and were soon fitted, the black relay lives under the passenger side dashboard, and the resistor goes at the top of the fan shroud. So mercifully, no more draining was required.
I ran the engine up to temp again, and it all worked fine. Looking at the condition of the old resistor, I would say it was the fault.
It's difficult to to tell what the cooling fan is doing when you're motoring, if the engine stays cool, then all seems well. The engine thermostat opens at 81-85oC, the fan switch operates at 82-87oC, then high speed at 87-92oC, so the engine's happy designed operating temperature is about 85oC.
Subject to Italian flexible measurements of course.
The outcome of the repairs was satisfying, following the wiring diagram exactly, and not allowing your own opinions to interrupt is good training.
This car has had doubtful cooling for many years. The system now works very well as Lancia designed.
One more thing . .
This Evo1 has always been our favourite, it's seen some action in the hands of past owners, and us too. It's a brave but temperamental car, and now it has the original engine it was born with, rebuilt and ready to roll.
Barry kindly reminded me that this article hasn't shown the installation position
of the resistor on the car radiator shroud. Well, here it is..
Barry also questioned if the 8v Delta actually had a 2 speed fan.
I looked again at berlinasportivo.com and found on the spec sheet
that only a single speed is mentioned, so I must conclude
that the 8v has a single speed fan.
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This is the resistor in position, the coil inside the shroud.
Here I've marked the terminals before removal
Here is shown the page from berlinasportivo Lancia Delta 8v spec sheets
from the Lancia manual. It donly mentions 1 speed.
Click on the link below to visit the Technical Data page, scroll down to page 21
for the cooling specs section
