[ycartf]

I bought a 1987 Celica ST coupe (with the 3SFE 4 cylinder engine) recently, but have been busy fixing up other vehicles until now. When I took a good look at everything under the hood, I noticed that there are two shrouds on the radiator, but only one fan. I ran it for about an hour (idling) the other day and it never overheated, but I wondered if I am missing a fan or if it comes that way? Can someone who has a similar vehicle tell me if this is correct or should I search the junkyard for another fan?

Thanks,

Tracy

 

[MR2Jedi]

Which engine do you have?

 

[ycartf]

Oops...sorry about that. It is the 4 cylinder (3SFE I think).

Thanks,

Tracy

 

[MR2Jedi]

Hey Tracy,
Diagrams for the '87's with 2sel, 3sfe and 3sge all show a single fan with only 1 shroud opening.

 

[ycartf]

So the other half of the radiator just being blank is normal? Thanks so much for the help.

Tracy

 

[MR2Jedi]

So the other half of the radiator just being blank is normal? Thanks so much for the help.

Tracy

Like I said, the diagrams show a single opening fan shroud, not 2 .
Maybe the previous owner changed the shroud for some reason?

 

[ycartf]

So it is supposed to have the other half of the radiator covered (with the same shroud that surrounds the one fan)? Or are you saying it is supposed to be one central fan (like old American cars) with a shroud surrounding it? What I have is one fan with the shroud around it (that covers half of the radiator), on the right side of the vehicle (sitting in car), with the left side uncovered with bolt holes where another shroud/fan looks like it "could" go.

Thanks,

Tracy

 

[MR2Jedi]

So it is supposed to have the other half of the radiator covered (with the same shroud that surrounds the one fan)? Or are you saying it is supposed to be one central fan (like old American cars) with a shroud surrounding it? What I have is one fan with the shroud around it (that covers half of the radiator), on the right side of the vehicle (sitting in car), with the left side uncovered with bolt holes where another shroud/fan looks like it "could" go.

Thanks,

Tracy

Yes, from what the diagram shows.

 

[ycartf]

I now see that (in the Haynes manual I was given with the car) it says something about vehicles with AC having a second fan over the condensor. But Haynes isn't always the authority. This car does have AC, but I was not running it when I was running the car, as it needs a charge of freon ... is not cold.

 

[93celicaconv]

5th Gen Celicas with A/C have a fan under the hood, attached to the radiator, on the drivers side, and a 2nd fan, behind the bumper, attached to the A/C condenser, on the passenger side.

If your 87 ST has A/C, and if the fan shrouds are in these locations, then you likely are supposed to have two fans on your setup. You can check to see if you have the wiring harness sitting with nothing connected to it in the area where the 2nd fan should be.

The fan behind the bumper, mounted to the A/C condenser, has a high failure rate, primarily because it is exposed to the elements due to its location (rain, snow, rocks, etc.). If you do plan to get your A/C system recharged and running, I would highly advise you replace your missing fan - otherwise your condenser temperature will get way to hot, and your refrigerant pressures will get too high, and your refrigerant pressure relief valve will vent your refrigerant to atmosphere on you. Just so you know.

 

[MR2Jedi]

It's funny the diagrams didn't show that. But it wouldn't be the 1st time info was missing.
Makes sense though.

 

[93celicaconv]

I looked at CelicaTech's 1989 Celica Wiring Diagram for the 3S-FE, and it indicated a wiring connection for the A/C condenser fan motor and the radiator fan motor separately. Unfortunately, the repair manual is not complete enough to look at in more detail. But this tells me that if the 4th Gen 3S-FE engine is equipped with A/C, there are 2 separate fans for cooling the radiators.

 

[MR2Jedi]

I looked at CelicaTech's 1989 Celica Wiring Diagram for the 3S-FE, and it indicated a wiring connection for the A/C condenser fan motor and the radiator fan motor separately. Unfortunately, the repair manual is not complete enough to look at in more detail. But this tells me that if the 4th Gen 3S-FE engine is equipped with A/C, there are 2 separate fans for cooling the radiators.

Hmm? Maybe thats why my diagram showed only 1 fan . I looked it up under radiator and fan/shroud.
I will try to look up the A/C system and see if it's shown there.

 

[93celicaconv]

Good idea, MR2Jedi. In the 5th Gen repair manual, in the A/C section, there is an excellent view of the parts locations from under the dash forward. And in that view, it clearly shows the radiator fan motor and the A/C fan motor. Maybe a 4th Gen repair manual will show the same, or similar picture, in the A/C section.

 

[ycartf]

The manuals y'all are speaking of, are they available somewhere on this site? I have a lot of pdf manuals for 4 generations of Camry but didn't find any for the older Celicas (like my 4th Gen). Thanks.

Tracy

 

[k_tieu]

ac fan are cheap go to the junk yard and see if u can pick one up
its a 87 so i believe the ac it uses is illegal so ur gonna hav to no only recharge but convert the ac as well and there could be a chance that ur ac is leaking cuz the ac system uses a weight monitered switch kinda thing so if there isnt enough refridge-ament then the ac will not run

good luck

 

[93celicaconv]

Tracy, your 87 Celica is a 4th Gen. The 5th Gen manual I am referring to is from a set I already own. However, CelicaTech.com has the complete set of the 5th Gen Celica Repair Manual online (called the BGB for big green book). They have a 4th Gen as well, but I don't think it is nearly complete yet. The 5th Gen is complete, or nearly so.

I saw a 4th Gen Celica in the salvage yard yesterday that had A/C, and it had both the fans in the same location I mentioned as where they are on the 5th Gen. The fans were slightly different in shape (so you can't use a 5th Gen fan on a 4th Gen), but the locations of where they mount are the same.

 

[93celicaconv]

K_tieu, R-12 is not illegal to use on R-12 designed automotive A/C systems. It is illegal to manufacture R-12, and has been since 1995. So the remaining quantity of R-12 is diminishing, but it is not illegal to use existing old stock. It is illegal to knowingly discharge this refrigerant to atmosphere though, so if you recharged a knowing leaking A/C system, that is technically illegal.

 

[ycartf]

Thanks for all the help! When I get the transmission problem fixed (governor valve?) where it's not shifting into 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, I will also look for another fan. As far as the AC, I have a close relative who stockpiled several hundred pounds of R12 about 20 years ago and he always hooks me up.

Tracy

 

[k_tieu]

really i got a 91 cressida and a tech told me that the refirgiment i got is illegal